(Finance) – After four years of projects, models and simulations, a team made up of twenty-five engineers and researchers from the CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research), from Stellantis and Saft today presented the innovative prototype of an energy storage battery that integrates the functions of inverter and charger. The integration of these functions makes the battery more efficient, which translates into greater range for BEV vehicles, and at the same time more reliable and less expensive. This also frees up space in the vehicle.
The name of this joint research project is IBIS – Intelligent Battery Integrated System. A demonstration prototype, in operation since the summer of 2022, is the subject of numerous patents and represents a real
revolution compared to the energy conversion systems currently in use. The project confirmed the validity of many new technical concepts and made it possible to master their operation with a view to future applications in the automotive and stationary energy sectors.
In the field of electromobility, the IBIS project will lead to the adoption of new standards in the design of electric propulsion systems.
With IBIS, the converter boards that perform the functions of inverter and charger are mounted as close as possible to the cells of the Li-ion battery. A sophisticated control system allows the battery to directly produce alternating current for the electric motor.
The IBIS project partners are now busy building a fully functional prototype vehicle that will be tested on the Stellantis test benches and tracks and on the road. The intention of the development team is to make the technology available on vehicles of the Stellantis brands before the end of this decade.
“Our journey towards electrification is fueled by the excellence of innovation and research that use the most advanced technologies to meet the real needs of electric vehicle buyers in terms of autonomy, habitability and accessibility,
while reducing environmental impact through increased efficiency,” he said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering & Technology Officer –. “This revolutionary battery system could be a decisive step in Stellantis’ commitment to provide useful technologieseasy to use and advanced for everyone”.
“Saft has been in the field of industrial battery system innovation for more than 100 years. As pioneers in this cutting-edge field, our researchers are able to manage research programs such as IBIS in the long term. We are delighted to lead this innovative project which aims to revolutionize the electromobility sectors and stationary energy storage systems in collaboration with other valued partners in this field,” he said Cedric Duclos, Chief Executive Officer of Saft.
The IBIS project is funded by the Future Investment Plan, managed by ADEME (the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management) and coordinated by Stellantis. The companies Saft (TotalEnergies group), E2CAD and Sherpa Engineering, research laboratories of the French National Center for Scientific Research1 (GeePs, SATIE, LEPMI) and the Institut Lafayette are participating in the project.