An Analytic Hierarchy Process for Selecting Battery Equalization Methods

Batteries have been the predominant energy storage system used in electric vehicles. Battery packs a large number of cells that develop charge, thermal, and capacity imbalances over time, limiting power, range, lifetime. Electronic battery management state charge (SoC) equalization methods are necessary to mitigate such imbalances. Today, it is possible find wide range literature, but how decide which these should be applied practice? This paper compares 24 SoC circuits typically found automotive applications. We employ an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach rank according multiple decision criteria (energy efficiency, speed, implementation control simplicity, hardware size, total price). also prepared survey collect design preferences from balancing experts around world order better understand relative importance different criteria. The obtained results confirm engineers continue favor passive because their low price, small PCB simplicity—despite efficiency benefits active balancing.