Python-based Equivalent Circuit Network (PyECN) Modelling Framework for Lithium-ion Batteries

Next generation open-source battery modelling framework for Lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are now an essential part of future transportation and electricity networks. This has led to an increase in demand for accurate and fast models to support their development and deployment. Commercial codes can represent a barrier to entry for some, particularly academic research groups, and open-source modelling environments for physics-based models of batteries, such as PyBaMM have been developed in response to this. Equivalent circuit network (ECN) models are routinely used as a faster alternative to physics-based models, as they are easier and cheaper to parameterise, and are more suited for problems requiring a high level of discretisation, such as cell and system design and optimisation. However, there is no equivalent open-source code for this type of model. In response to this, the open-source Python package PyECN (Python Equivalent Circuit Network), developed at Electrochemical Science & Engineering Group (ESE) in Imperial College London, provides a comprehensive modelling framework for Lithium-ion battery simulation. PyECN is able to simulate the electrical and thermal performances of cylindrical, prismatic and pouch cell form factors. The code package presented here should be of immediate interest to cell manufacturers, module and pack designers and battery researchers.