After four years of design, modeling, and simulation, a team of 25 engineers and researchers from CNRS, Stellantis, and Saft have unveiled a groundbreaking prototype of an energy storage battery. This innovative battery integrates the inverter and charger functions, resulting in improved efficiency, increased range for battery electric vehicles, enhanced reliability, and reduced cost. Additionally, this integration frees up space within the vehicle.
The collaborative research project, known as the Intelligent Battery Integrated System (IBIS), has been operational since the summer of 2022. It has generated numerous patents and represents a significant departure from existing electrical energy conversion systems. The project has successfully validated various technical concepts and mastered their control and operation, preparing them for use in automotive and stationary applications.
In the realm of electromobility, the IBIS project is poised to revolutionize the design of electric powertrains. By placing the electronic conversion boards in close proximity to the lithium-ion battery cells and implementing a sophisticated control system, the IBIS battery can directly produce alternating current for electric motors.
The IBIS project partners are now focused on constructing a fully functional prototype vehicle. This vehicle will undergo testing on Stellantis development benches, test tracks, and open roads. The goal is to make this innovative technology available in Stellantis brand vehicles before the end of the decade.
Ned Curic, Stellantis’ Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, expressed their commitment to providing advanced technology that addresses the real needs of electric vehicle (EV) customers, such as range, affordability, and roominess, while also reducing the carbon footprint. Curic believes that the IBIS battery system has the potential to be a crucial step in Stellantis’ journey towards electrification.
The IBIS project offers several advantages through the development of an efficient and cost-competitive technology. It has the potential to reduce vehicle weight and the manufacturing costs of EV powertrains and vehicles. Additionally, it provides the opportunity to introduce numerous new features.
In the field of stationary energy storage and renewable energy integration, project partner Saft will be able to offer turnkey installations with improved battery availability, optimized energy usage, and a smaller footprint. The inherent architecture of the IBIS battery simplifies maintenance and upgrades while reducing the carbon footprint of the facility.
Furthermore, the combination of battery solutions for electric vehicles and stationary storage enhances the competitiveness of both offerings due to the increased volume effects in growing markets.
Saft’s CEO, Cedric Duclos, highlighted the company’s long-standing expertise in industrial battery innovation and their excitement about collaborating with other partners to revolutionize electric mobility and stationary energy storage through the IBIS project.
The IBIS project is funded by the Future Investment Plan, administered by ADEME (the Environment and Energy Management Agency), and coordinated by Stellantis. It brings together industrial partners, research laboratories from CNRS, and Institut Lafayette to drive innovation in the field of electric energy storage and advance the adoption of renewable energy.
