Battery

Generic battery model

Library: Simscape / Electrical / Specialized Power Systems / Electric Drives / Extra Sources

Description
The Battery block implements a generic dynamic model that represents most popular types of rechargeable
batteries.

This figure shows the equivalent circuit that the block models.

Charge and Discharge Characteristics

The circuit parameters can be modified to represent a specific battery type and its discharge characteristics. A
typical discharge curve consists of three sections.

The first section represents the exponential voltage drop when the battery is charged. The width of the drop
depends on the battery type. The second section represents the charge that can be extracted from the battery
until the voltage drops below the battery nominal voltage. Finally, the third section represents the total
discharge of the battery, when the voltage drops rapidly.

When the battery current is negative, the battery recharges, following a charge characteristic.
The model parameters are derived from the discharge characteristics. The discharging and charging
characteristics are assumed to be the same.

The Exp(s) transfer function represents the hysteresis phenomenon for the lead-acid, nickel-cadmium (NiCD),
and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries during the charge and discharge cycles. The exponential voltage
increases when a battery is charging, regardless of the battery's state of charge. When the battery is
discharging, the exponential voltage decreases immediately.

The state of charge (SOC) for a battery is a measure of battery's charge, expressed as a percent of the full
charge. The depth of discharge (DOD) is the numerical compliment of the SOC, such that DOD = 100% - SOC.

For example, if the SOC is:

• 100% — The battery is fully charged and the DOD is 0%.

• 75% — The battery is 3/4 charged and the DOD is 25%.
• 50% — The battery is 1/2 charged and the DOD is 50%.
• 0% — The battery is has 0 charge and the DOD is 100%.
Model Validation
Experimental validation of the model shows a maximum error of 5% (when SOC is between 10% and 100%)
for the charge (when the current is 0 through 2 C) and discharge (when the current is 0 through 5 C) dynamics.

Parameterization

Extract Battery Parameters from Data Sheets

This figure shows detailed parameters extracted from the Panasonic NiMH-HHR650D battery data sheet.

You can obtain the rated capacity and the internal resistance from the specification tables. The other detailed
parameters are derived from the Typical Discharge Characteristics plot.

Parameter Value

Rated Capacity 6.5 Ah

Internal Resistance 2 mΩ

Nominal Voltage (a) 1.18 V

Rated Capacity 6.5 Ah

Maximum Capacity (b) 7 Ah (5.38 h * 1.3 A)

Fully Charged Voltage (c) 1.39 V

Nominal Discharge Current (d) 1.3 A

Capacity @ Nominal Voltage (a) 6.25 Ah

Exponential Voltage (e) 1.28 V

Exponential Capacity (e) 1.3 Ah

These parameters are approximate and depend on the precision of the points obtained from the discharge
curve.

The discharge curves you obtain from these parameters, which are marked by dotted lines in the following
figures, are similar to the data sheet curves.
To represent the temperature effects of the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery type, an additional discharge curve at
ambient temperature, which is different from the nominal temperature, and the thermal response parameters
are required. Additional discharge curves are not usually provided on the data sheet and may require simple
experiments to be obtained. The following examples show parameters extracted from the A123 Li-iron-
phosphate ANR26650M1 and the Panasonic Li-cobalt-oxide CGR 18,650 AF battery data sheets.

The A123 ANR26650M1 data sheet specifications include the required discharge curve points and other
required parameters.
These parameters are derived from the data sheet for the A123 Li-ion temperature-dependent battery model.

Parameter Value

Nominal voltage (c) 3.22 V

Rated capacity 2.3 Ah

Maximum capacity (d) 2.3 Ah

Fully charged voltage (a) 3.7 V

Nominal discharge current 2.3 A

Internal resistance 10 mΩ

Capacity at nominal voltage (c) 2.07 Ah

Exponential zone (b) [3.4 V, 0.23 Ah]

Nominal ambient temperature 25°C

Second ambient temperature 0°C

Maximum capacity at 0°C (h) 2.208 Ah

Initial discharge voltage at 0°C (e) 3.45 V

Voltage at 90% maximum capacity at 0°C (g) 2.8 V

Exponential zone at 0°C (f) [3.22 V, 0.23 Ah]

Thermal resistance, cell-to-ambient (estimated) 0.6

Thermal time constant, cell-to-ambient (estimated) 1000

In the figure, the dashed lines show the discharges curves obtained from the simulation at different ambient
temperatures. The model performance is very close to the data sheet results.

The same approach for parameter extraction is applied to the Panasonic Lithium-Ion CGR18650AF with these
specifications.
These parameters are extracted for the battery model.

Parameter Value

Nominal voltage (c) 3.3 V

Rated capacity 2.05 Ah

Maximum capacity (d) 2 Ah

Fully charged voltage (a) 4.2 V

Nominal discharge current 1.95 A

Internal resistance (estimated) 16.5 mΩ

Capacity at nominal voltage (c) 1.81 Ah

Exponential zone (b) [3.71 V, 0.6 Ah]

Nominal ambient temperature 25°C

Second ambient temperature 0°C

Maximum capacity at 0°C (h) 1.78 Ah

Initial discharge voltage at 0°C (e) 4V

Voltage at 90% maximum capacity at 0°C (g) 3.11 V

Exponential zone at 0°C (f) [3.8 V, 0.2 Ah]

Thermal resistance, cell-to-ambient (estimated) 0.06

Thermal time constant, cell-to-ambient (estimated) 1000

The figure shows a good match between the simulated discharge curves (represented by the dashed lines)
and the data sheet curves. The accuracy of the model depends on how precise the selected points from the
data sheet discharge curves are.
Model cells in Series and/or in Parallel
To model a series and/or parallel combination of cells based on the parameters of a single cell, use the
parameter transformation shown in the following table can be used. The Nb_ser variable corresponds to the
number of cells in series, and Nb_par corresponds to the number of cells in parallel.

Parameter Value

Nominal voltage 1.18 * Nb_ser

Rated capacity 6.5 * Nb_par

Maximum capacity 7 * Nb_par

Fully charged voltage 1.39 * Nb_ser

Nominal discharge current 1.3 * Nb_par

Internal resistance 0.002 * Nb_ser/Nb_par

Capacity at nominal voltage 6.25 * Nb_par

Exponential zone 1.28 * Nb_ser, 1.3 * Nb_par

Equations
For the lead-acid battery type, the model uses these equations.

• Discharge Model (i* > 0)

( )
f1(it, i ∗, i, Exp) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + Laplace−1 Exp(s) ⋅ 0
Q − it Q − it Sel(s)
• Charge Model (i* < 0)
( )
f2(it, i ∗, i, Exp) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + Laplace−1 Exp(s) ⋅ 1
it + 0.1 ⋅ Q Q − it Sel(s) s
For the lithium-ion battery type, the model uses these equations.

• Discharge Model (i* > 0)

f1(it, i ∗, i) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + A ⋅ exp(−B ⋅ it)

Q − it Q − it
• Charge Model (i* < 0)

f2(it, i ∗, i) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + A ⋅ exp(−B ⋅ it)

it + 0.1 ⋅ Q Q − it
For the nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride battery types, the model uses these equations.

• Discharge Model (i* > 0)

( )
f1(it, i ∗, i, Exp) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + Laplace−1 Exp(s) ⋅ 0
Q − it Q − it Sel(s)
• Charge Model (i* < 0)
( )
f2(it, i ∗, i, Exp) = E0 − K ⋅ Q ⋅ i ∗ −K ⋅ Q ⋅ it + Laplace−1 Exp(s) ⋅ 1 .
 it  + 0.1 ⋅ Q Q − it Sel(s) s
In the equations:
˗ EBatt is the nonlinear voltage, in V.
˗ E0 is the constant voltage, in V.
˗ Exp(s) is the exponential zone dynamics, in V.
˗ Sel(s) represents the battery mode. Sel(s) = 0 during battery discharge, Sel(s) = 1 during battery charging.
˗ K is the polarization constant, in V/Ah, or polarization resistance, in Ohms.
˗ i* is the low-frequency current dynamics, in A.
˗ i is the battery current, in A.
˗ it is the extracted capacity, in Ah.
˗ Q is the maximum battery capacity, in Ah.
˗ A is the exponential voltage, in V.
˗ B is the exponential capacity, in Ah−1.

Temperature Effect Equations

For the lithium-ion battery type, the impact of temperature on the model parameters is represented by these
equations.

• Discharge Model (i* > 0)

Q(Ta)
f1(it, i ∗, i, T, Ta) = E0(T) − K (T ) ⋅ ⋅ (i ∗ +it) + A ⋅ exp(−B ⋅ it) − C ⋅ it
Q(Ta) − it
Vbatt(T) = f1(it, i ∗, i, T , Ta)− R(T) ⋅ i
• Charge Model (i* < 0)
Q(Ta) Q(Ta)
f1(it, i ∗, i, T, Ta) = E0(T) − K (T ) ⋅ ⋅ i ∗ −K (T) ⋅ ⋅ it + A ⋅ exp(−B ⋅ it) − C ⋅ it
it + 0.1 ⋅ Q(Ta) Q(Ta) − it
Vbatt(T) = f1(it, i ∗, i, T , Ta)− R(T) ⋅ i,
with

E0(T) = E0  Tref + ∂E (T − Tref)

∂T
(( ))
K (T ) = K  Tref ⋅ exp α 1 − 1
T Tref

Q(Ta) = Q  + ΔQ ⋅ (Ta − Tref)

Ta
ΔT
(( ))
R(T) = R  Tref ⋅ exp β 1 − 1 ,
T Tref
where:
˗ Tref is the nominal ambient temperature, in K.
˗ T is the cell or internal temperature, in K.
˗ Ta is ambient temperature, in K.
 ˗ E/T is the reversible voltage temperature coefficient, in V/K.
˗ α is the Arrhenius rate constant for the polarization resistance.
˗ β is the Arrhenius rate constant for the internal resistance.
˗ ΔQ/ΔT is the maximum capacity temperature coefficient, in Ah/K.
˗ C is the nominal discharge curve slope, in V/Ah. For lithium-ion batteries with less pronounced
discharge curves (such as lithium iron phosphate batteries), this parameter is set to zero.

The cell or internal temperature, T, at any given time, t, is expressed as:

( )
P R + Ta
T(t) = L −1 loss th ,
1 + s ⋅ tc
where:
˗ Rth is thermal resistance, cell to ambient (°C/W).
˗ tc is thermal time constant, cell to ambient (s).
˗ Ploss is the overall heat generated (W) during the charge or discharge process and is given by

Ploss = (E0(T) − Vbatt(T)) ⋅ i + ∂E ⋅ i ⋅ T.

∂T

Aging Effect Equations

For the lithium-ion battery type, the impact of aging (due to cycling) on the battery capacity and internal
resistance is represented by these equations:
{
Q BOL − ε(n) ⋅ (Q BOL − QEOL) if k/2 ≠ 0
Q(n) =
Q(n − 1) otherwise
{
R BOL + ε(n) ⋅ (REOL − R BOL) if k/2 ≠ 0
R(n) = ,
R(n − 1) otherwise
with

n = kTh (k = 1, 2, 3, ...∞)
where:

• Th is the half-cycle duration, in s. A complete cycle is obtained when the battery is discharged and charged
or conversely.
• QBOL is the battery's maximum capacity, in Ah, at the beginning of life (BOL) and at nominal ambient
temperature.
• QEOL is the battery's maximum capacity, in Ah, at the end of life (EOL) and at nominal ambient temperature.
• RBOL is the battery's internal resistance, in ohms, at the BOL and at nominal ambient temperature.
• REOL is the battery's internal resistance, in ohms, at the EOL and at nominal ambient temperature.
• ε is the battery aging factor. The aging factor is equal to zero and unity at the BOL and EOL.

The battery aging factor, ξ, is expressed as

 ( )
ε(n − 1)+ 0.5 2 − DOD(n − 2)+ DOD(n) if

k/2 ≠ 0
ε(n) =  N (n − 1) DOD(n − 1) ,

ε(n − 1) otherwise
where:

• DD is the battery DOD (%) after a half-cycle duration.

• N is maximum number of cycles and is given by
( )−ξ ( ( ))
N (n) = H DOD(n) ⋅ exp −ψ 1 − 1 −γ −γ
⋅ (Idis_ave(n)) 1 ⋅ (Ich_ave(n)) 2,
100 Tref Ta(n)
 where:
˗ H is the cycle number constant (cycles).
˗ ξ is the exponent factor for the DOD.
˗ ψ is the Arrhenius rate constant for the cycle number.
˗ Idis_ave is the average discharge current in A during a half cycle duration.
˗ Ich_ave is the average charge current in A during a half cycle duration.
˗ γ1 is the exponent factor for the discharge current.
˗ γ2 is the exponent factor for the charge current.

Limitations and Assumptions

Limitations

• The minimum no-load battery voltage is 0 V and the maximum battery voltage is equal to 2 × E0.
• The minimum capacity of the battery is 0 Ah and the maximum capacity is Qmax.

Assumptions

• The internal resistance is assumed to be constant during the charge and discharge cycles and does not
vary with the amplitude of the current.
• The parameters of the model are derived from the discharge characteristics. The discharging and charging
characteristics are assumed to be the same.
• The capacity of the battery does not change with the amplitude of the current (there is no Peukert effect).
• The self-discharge of the battery is not represented. It can be represented by adding a large resistance in
parallel with the battery terminals.
• The battery has no memory effect.

Ports

Input expand all

Ta — Ambient temperature
 Simulink® signal | scalar

Output expand all

m — Battery temperature, state-of-charge, current, voltage, age, maximum capacity, and

 ambient temperature
Simulink signal | vector

Conserving expand all

+ — Positive terminal
 specialized electrical

- — Negative terminal
 specialized electrical
Parameters expand all

Parameters

Type — Battery model

 Lithium-Ion (default) | Lead-Acid | Nickel-Cadmium | Nickel-Metal-Hydride

Simulate temperature effects — Thermal dynamics

 off (default) | on

Use a preset battery — Parameterization

no (default) | 3.3V 2.3Ah (LiFePO4) | 3.6V 2050mAh (LiCoO2) | 3.6V 2.0Ah | 3.6V 3.6Ah
 (LiNiO2) | 3.6V 4.5Ah | 3.6V 48Ah (LiNiO2) | 3.7V 4.4Ah | 7.4V 5.4Ah (LiCoO2) | 11.1V
6600mAh (LiCoO2) | 12.8V 40Ah (LiFeMgPO4)

Simulate aging effects — Model age-related battery capacity deterioration

 off (default) | on

Nominal voltage (V) — Nominal voltage

 7.2 (default) | positive scalar

Rated capacity (Ah) — Rated capacity

 5.4 (default) | positive scalar

Initial state-of-charge (%) — Initial SOC

 100 (default)

Battery response time (s) — Response time

 30 (default) | nonnegative scalar

Discharge

Determined from the nominal parameters of the battery — Discharge parameter

 determination
on (default) | off

Maximum capacity (Ah) — Maximum amp-hour capacity

 5.4 (default) | positive scalar

Cut-off Voltage (V) — Cut-off voltage

 5.4 (default) | positive scalar

Fully charged voltage (V) — Fully charged voltage

 8.3807 (default) | positive scalar
 Nominal discharge current (A) — Nominal discharge current
 2.3478 (default) | positive scalar

Internal resistance (Ohms) — Internal resistance

 0.013333 (default) | positive scalar

Capacity (Ah) at nominal voltage — Amp-hour capacity at nominal voltage

 4.8835 (default) | positive scalar

Exponential zone [Voltage (V), Capacity (Ah)] — Exponential zone voltage and
 capacity
[7.7788 0.2653] (default) | nonnegative vector

Display Characteristics

Discharge current [i1, i2, i3,...] (A) — Discharge characteristic plot currents
 [6.5 13 32.5] (default)

Units — Discharge characteristic plot x-axis units

 Time (default) | Ampere-hour

 Plot — Plot discharge characteristics

Temperature
The Temperature settings are visible only if, in the Parameter settings, the Type parameter is set to Lithium-
Ion and the Simulate temperature effects check box is selected. For more information, see Parameters,
Type, and Simulate temperature effects.

The battery provides preset parameter values for common types of lithium-ion batteries. To use the preset
parameter values, in the Parameters settings, set the Use a preset battery to parameter to one of the
lithium-ion batteries. For more information, see Use a preset battery.

If you use a preset option, the only enabled parameter in the Temperature settings is Initial cell temperature
(deg. C). The other parameters in the Temperature settings are disabled because the block provides the
values.

Alternatively, if you have a license for Simulink Design Optimization and empirical battery data, you can
estimate the temperature parameters for a lithium-ion based. To enable the parameters, In the Parameters
settings, set the Use a preset battery to parameter to no.

Initial cell temperature (deg. C) — Initial battery temperature

 20 (default) | scalar

Nominal ambient temperature T1 (deg. C) — Nominal ambient temperature

 20 (default) | scalar

Second ambient temperature T2 (deg. C) — Second ambient temperature

  -30 (default) | scalar

Discharge parameters at T2

Maximum capacity (Ah) — Maximum amp-hour capacity

 4.8 (default) | positive scalar

Initial discharge voltage (V) — Initial discharge voltage

 7.1 (default) | positive scalar

Voltage at 90% maximum capacity (V) — 90% maximum capacity voltage

 5.655 (default) | positive scalar

Exponential zone [Voltage (V), Capacity (Ah)] — Exponential zone voltage and
 capacity
[6.58 1] (default) | positive vector

Thermal response and Heat loss

Thermal resistance, cell-to-ambient (deg. C/W) — Thermal resistance

 0.6 (default) | positive scalar

Thermal time constant, cell-to-ambient (s) — Thermal time constant

 2000 (default) | positive scalar

Heat loss difference [charge vs. discharge] (W) — Heat loss difference
 0 (default) | scalar

Aging
The Aging settings visible if, in the Parameters settings, you set the Type parameter to Lithium-
Ion and select Simulate aging effects. For more information, see Type and Simulate aging effects.

Initial battery age (Equivalent full cycles) — Initial battery age

 0 (default) | nonnegative scalar

Aging model sampling time (s) — Aging model sampling time

 1e6 (default) | positive scalar

Aging characteristics at ambient temperature Ta1

Ambient temperature Ta1 (deg. C) — Ambient temperature

 25 (default) | scalar

Capacity at EOL (End Of Life) (Ah) — End-of-life amp-hour capacity

 5.4*0.9 (default) | positive scalar
 Internal resistance at EOL (Ohms) — End-of-life internal resistance
 0.013333*1.2 (default) | positive scalar

Charge current (nominal, maximum) [Ic (A), Icmax (A)] — Nominal and maximum
 charge currents
[2.3478, 3] (default) | positive vector

Discharge current (nominal, maximum) [Id (A), Idmax (A)] — Nominal and maximum
 discharge currents
[2.3478, 10] (default) | positive vector

Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic and Id (Cycles) — Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic, Id, and Ta1
 1500 (default) | positive scalar

Cycle life at 25% DOD, Ic and Id (Cycles) — Cycle life at 25% DOD, Ic, Id, and Ta1
 10500 (default) | positive scalar

Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic and Idmax (Cycles) — Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic, Id_max,
 and Ta1
1000 (default) | positive scalar

Cycle life at 100 % DOD, Icmax and Id (Cycles) — Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic_max, Id,
 and Ta1
1400 (default) | positive scalar

Aging characteristics at ambient temperature Ta2

Ambient temperature Ta2 (deg. C) — Ambient temperature Ta2

 45 (default) | scalar

Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic and Id (Cycles) — Cycle life at 100% DOD, Ic, Id, and Ta2
 950 (default) | positive scalar

Model Examples

Ni-MH Battery Model

 A 200 V, 6.5 Ah Ni-MH battery model
during charge and discharge
process.

References
[1] Omar N., M. A. Monem, Y. Firouz, J. Salminen, J. Smekens, O. Hegazy, H. Gaulous, G. Mulder, P. Van den
Bossche, T. Coosemans, and J. Van Mierlo. “Lithium iron phosphate based battery — Assessment of the aging
parameters and development of cycle life model.” Applied Energy, Vol. 113, January 2014, pp. 1575–1585.

[2] Saw, L.H., K. Somasundaram, Y. Ye, and A.A.O. Tay, “Electro-thermal analysis of Lithium Iron Phosphate
battery for electric vehicles.” Journal of Power Sources. Vol. 249, pp. 231–238.

[3] Tremblay, O., L.A. Dessaint, "Experimental Validation of a Battery Dynamic Model for EV Applications."
World Electric Vehicle Journal. Vol. 3, May 13–16, 2009.

[4] Zhu, C., X. Li, L. Song, and L. Xiang, “Development of a theoretically based thermal model for lithium ion
battery pack.” Journal of Power Sources. Vol. 223, pp. 155–164.

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation

Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

See Also
AC Voltage Source | CCCV Battery Charger | DC Voltage Source

Introduced in R2008a