AUTOMOTIVE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS - 2025/6

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

LEKAKOU Constantina (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Basic battery modelling methods


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


• Parameterisation of battery models from experiments         

• Electrical and mechanical design of high voltage battery packs


• Battery thermal characteristics and thermal management


• Functionality of battery management system

Assessment pattern

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 ]                    


• Coursework on battery pack design  [Learning outcomes  2, 4]                             


• Examination               [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 ]                                                          

• 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

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

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 2025/6 academic year.