At LF Energy Summit 2024 in Brussels, Gabe Hege, chairperson of the Battery Data Alliance and founder of AmpLabs, delivered a session titled “Challenges and Opportunities Working with Battery Data.” This presentation focused on the expanding role of batteries in energy systems and the critical need for innovative data solutions to overcome challenges in the industry. Here’s a summary of the key takeaways from the session (full video follows at the end):
Battery Industry Overview
Hege began by outlining the scope of the battery industry, emphasizing its rapid growth, especially in two main areas: passenger electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems (BESS). China is driving much of the demand and production for both, but Europe is also scaling up its efforts. The global investment in battery energy storage is projected to grow significantly, with forecasts of reaching $120-150 billion by 2030.
The battery value chain is complex and multi-faceted, covering everything from raw material mining to end-user applications like energy storage and electric vehicles. Hege noted that this value chain is “circular,” where advances in one area (such as battery recycling) influence and benefit other areas. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of fostering innovation across the entire lifecycle.
Challenges in the Battery Industry
One of the most pressing challenges highlighted was the lack of data standardization. Battery companies tend to guard their data due to competitive concerns, with Hege likening it to “Coca-Cola’s secret formula.” This culture of secrecy, while understandable, limits collaboration and slows progress across the industry.
Another challenge is the fragmentation of data across different parts of the battery value chain, which makes it difficult for researchers and manufacturers to access the high-quality data necessary for innovation. This leads to redundant work, limited collaboration, and slower advancement in battery technology.
Opportunities for Innovation through Battery Software
Despite these challenges, Hege identified several key opportunities for innovation in battery software. He divided battery software into four categories:
- Design Analytics – focusing on the initial creation of battery cells.
- Process Control – managing the production process.
- Manufacturing Analytics – optimizing the manufacturing workflow.
- In-Field Analytics – monitoring battery performance after deployment.
Hege emphasized the untapped potential of in-field analytics, especially in the context of grid integration. The data generated from deployed batteries can provide valuable insights back to cell manufacturers, helping them improve future battery designs.
Open Source and the Battery Data Alliance
The crux of Hege’s argument was the need for a cultural shift towards data sharing. Open source solutions can play a vital role in making battery data more accessible and actionable. The LF Energy Battery Data Alliance (BDA), a project Hege is deeply involved with, seeks to break down data silos and encourage collaboration among battery manufacturers, labs, and software developers.
Hege highlighted several open-source projects spearheaded by the BDA, including:
- BatETL and BatDB: ETL tools for handling battery testing data.
- Battery Data Ontology: A framework for standardizing battery data formats, simplifying collaboration across organizations.
- BDA Ontology: A shared battery ontology that enables different software systems to communicate and share data without custom connectors.
By leveraging these tools, the BDA aims to transform the fragmented battery ecosystem into a more cohesive, collaborative environment that accelerates the development of safer, cheaper, and greener batteries.
The Role of Grid Integration
Hege concluded by underscoring the importance of integrating battery data with grid deployments. He called for the development of common test protocols that would help both battery and grid operators collaborate more effectively. Data from grid-connected batteries can be invaluable to manufacturers, as it reveals how batteries are used in real-world applications. This feedback loop can lead to better battery designs and greater efficiencies.
Call to Action
In his closing remarks, Hege urged participants to get involved with the Battery Data Alliance, whether through contributing to open-source projects or supporting the development of new data standards. He stressed that collaboration is essential to meeting the increasing demand for batteries while ensuring that production and deployment are both sustainable and efficient.
