AUTOMOTIVE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS - 2020/1

Module code: ENG3205

Module Overview

Third year module for Automotive Engineering students.

This module introduces the operating principles, performance characteristics, and design of energy storage system for vehicle applications with an emphasis on battery systems. Battery electrical and thermal characteristics are discussed from the perspective of the underlying electrochemical mechanisms. Techniques for measuring battery performance and properties are demonstrated. Basic battery modelling methods are presented using examples built with MATLAB/Simulink. Considerations in the electrical, mechanical, and thermal designs of batteries packs are introduced. Functionality of battery management systems and the basics of battery balancing are explained.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

ZHANG Teng (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 106

Lecture Hours: 33

Tutorial Hours: 11

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

ENG2095 Mechanics of Vehicles and Machines

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Electrochemical energy storage systems


  • Fundamentals of electrochemistry: electrochemical potential, charge-transfer, mass transport

  • Operating principles of electrochemical energy storage devices: lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors

  • Power electronics: DC/DC converters, DC/AC inverters                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   



Battery simulation and testing


  • Basic battery modelling methods

  • Measurements of battery characteristics: charge-discharge, electrochemical impedance

  • Parameterisation of battery models from experiments         



Battery pack design


  • Electrical and mechanical design of high voltage battery packs

  • Battery thermal characteristics and thermal management

  • Functionality of battery management system


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework Coursework (Battery Modelling) 30
Coursework Battery pack design case study 20
Examination Final examination 50

Alternative Assessment

Alternative assessment on 'Battery pack design case study': Literature review and report on battery pack design

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematics methods as well as the ability to describe particular systems and processes in the final examination. The coursework element allows students to demonstrate that they can interpret a problem, develop design targets, and present and justify a solution clearly and accurately.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Coursework on energy storage system modelling  [Learning outcomes 2, 3 ]                    (30 hours)     {30%}

  • Presentation on battery pack design  [Learning outcomes  2, 4]                              (20 hours preparation, 30 min presentation)     {20%}

  • Examination               [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 ]                                                        (2 hours)       {50%}



Formative assessment and feedback


  • Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials & lectures

  • Written feedback is given on the coursework assessment


Module aims

  • an introduction to the drivers and trends behind the development of clean transport technologies and energy storage systems
  • an understanding of the electrochemical principles and operational characteristics of batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors;
  • testing and modelling methods for automotive batteries;
  • principles and considerations behind the design of battery packs, battery thermal management, and battery monitoring/management systems

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Explain the physical principles behind the operation of electrochemical energy storage systems (SM1b) KC
002 Describe the electrical, thermal, and aging characteristics of electrochemical energy storage systems including methods for testing and diagnostics (P2, P4, EA2) K
003 Implement mathematical models to simulate the performance of batteries under typical driving scenarios (EA1b/m, EA2, EA3b/m) CP
004 Design the electrical, thermal, and control systems in a battery pack PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • 3 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks

  • 11 hours computer-based tutorials

  • Computer-based coursework on battery modeling

  • Group-based literature research and presentation on battery systems design


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG3205

Other information

NA

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Automotive Engineering MEng 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering (Dual degree with HIT) BEng (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.