What is a battery management system (BMS)?

In most real-world applications, the battery management system (BMS) is a mandatory component, serving the purpose of monitoring the battery’s health and safety. The role of the BMS becomes more significant in applications that have a large number of battery cells such as electric vehicles and battery storage power stations [13, 14].

What are the applications of battery management systems?

In general, the applications of battery management systems span across several industries and technologies, as shown in Fig. 28, with the primary objective of improving battery performance, ensuring safety, and prolonging battery lifespan in different environments . Fig. 28. Different applications of BMS. 5. BMS challenges and recommendations

What are the disadvantages of a battery management system (BMS)?

Another disadvantage of the current BMS design is the lack of flexibility in its usage, as its algorithms are often hard programmed into the BMS, and changing the firmware requires a great effort. The current BMS also does not allow for a plug-and-go style and needs to be programmed specifically for different battery applications.

What are the local functions of a battery management system?

The local functions of the BMS should include data acquisition, cell balancing, charge control, thermal management, and fault detection. Some of these functions, however, can be supplemented by the use of the cloud platform. Data acquisition must be performed locally since it is done through physical sensors connected to the battery system.

Are battery management systems necessary?

In order to ensure the safety and efficient operation of LIB systems, battery management systems (BMSs) are required. The current design and functionality of BMSs suffer from a few critical drawbacks including low computational capability and limited data storage.

Is a cloud-based smart battery management system a good idea?

The development of an efficient, reliable, and accurate BMS plays a very significant role in safe and effective battery management and control. The cloud-based smart BMS is a step in the right direction for future battery applications. However, there are still many points to address before it can become practical.