Open Access
Applied method to model the thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries
(IEEE, 2021) Lalinde Sainz, Iñaki; Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The thermal runaway (TR) is one of the most dangerous phenomena related to lithium-ion batteries. For this reason, there are different proposals in the literature for its modelling. Most of these proposed models take into account the decomposition reactions between the internal components of the cell, and base the adjustment of the parameters on numerous abuse tests that lead to the appearance of TR. However, these tests are destructive, require specific equipment, present a high economic cost and are very time consuming. This paper proposes a modelling method which enables the development of TR models with the use of fewer resources. This method is based on chemical kinetics, which allow a simplification of the general modelling process published in the literature. At the same time it maintains good accuracy and makes it possible to define the TR behavior of any type of cell, regardless of its chemistry, shape or size. Furthermore, the proposed method allows the use of the experimental results most commonly presented in the specialized literature, which significantly reduces the need for destructive testing. The presented modelling method achieves a good compromise between accuracy and applicability in the validations shown in the paper.
Open Access
Hydrogen-based energy storage for a distributed generation system
(Spanish Hydrogen Association, 2016) San Martín Biurrun, Idoia; Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
One of the most typical distributed generation systems are electrical microgrid, which consist on small electrical grids, generally connected to the main grid, with a decentralized management structure. Electrical microgrids allow higher renewable energy integration in the grid, achieving a cost decrease and improving the grid quality [1]. These mi- crogrids incorporate renewable generation systems and energy consumers. Moreover, they have storage systems to balance generation and consumption as well as the exchanged power with the main grid. Traditionally, lead-acid batter- ies have been used in microgrids. However, these batteries have some drawbacks, being the most important its poor performance in partial state of charge, which is critical for a microgrid. A suitable option for the storage system is hy- drogen technology. These systems have high energy density, which makes the storage system able to assume seasonal variability of renewable resources. This paper proposes a sizing methodology for storage systems based on hydrogen for grid-tied electrical microgrids. This methodology optimizes the relationship between the storage system size and the consumption of grid power.
Open Access
Smart charging station with photovoltaic and energy storage for supplying electric buses
(IEEE, 2022) Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Astrain Escola, José Javier; Puy Pérez de Laborda, Guillermo; El Hamzaoui, Ismail; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Villadangos Alonso, Jesús; Falcone Lanas, Francisco; López Martín, Antonio; Matías Maestro, Ignacio; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
A Smart Charging Station (SCS) has been installed in the Public University of Navarre, Spain, in the framework of the H2020 Smart City Lighthouse STARDUST project. The SCS consists of a high-power electric bus charging point (300 kW), a 100 kW photovoltaic system, a 84 kWh support energy storage system based on a second-life lithiumion battery, and a monitoring and control system that allows the safe storage and convenient access to operation data. This SCS operates as a Smart Grid, being able to provide the power peaks required by the electric bus charger, reducing and smoothing the power demanded from the distribution grid and increasing the renewable energy self-consumption rate. This contribution presents a novel monitoring and control system, which is a key tool to integrate this SCS in the data infrastructure of a Smart City, as well as an energy management system able to operate the SCS to achieve the above-mentioned technical requirements. The crucial role of the monitoring and control system and the energy management system becomes evident in this work.
Open Access
On the requirements of the power converter for second-life lithium-ion batteries
(IEEE, 2019) Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; San Martín Biurrun, Idoia; Pascual Miqueleiz, Julio María; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
The use of lithium-ion batteries is increasing year after year, especially in the automotive sector. Given the high requirements of electric vehicles, their energy storage systems are discarded when they still have around 70% of its initial capacity. These discarded batteries are being studied as a low-price option for stationary systems, mostly related to renewable energy generation, with lower battery requirements. However, the increasing dispersion of cell capacity detailed in this contribution limits the use of second-life cells if regular battery management systems and power converters. We present in this contribution an experimental comparison of the capacity dispersion between fresh and second-life cells, and detail the relationship between the capacity dispersion and the required BMS functionality. Furthermore, we include the ageing phenomena in the analysis by means of experimental ageing results, given that the capacity dispersion is enlarged as the battery ages. After this, we use this data to quantify advantages and disadvantages of a combined BMS and power converter, based on a multilevel topology, compared to a conventional BMS. The most relevant result, when a 55-cell battery is analysed, is a 65% increase in capacity during its whole second life if the BMS and power converter are combined by means of a multilevel topology. The increased level of complexity required by the combined BMS-power converter architecture is analysed in this contribution, providing a convenient tool for the selection of the most suitable option for each application.
Open Access
Building global competencies: a strategic approach to internationalization of engineering education
(Eindhoven University of Technology and Fontys University of Applied Sciences, 2023) Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Samanes Pascual, Javier; Parra Laita, Íñigo de la; Goicoechea Fernández, Javier; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
International mobility is an essential aspect of undergraduate education that enables students to acquire the necessary competences required by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). However, small universities such as the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), which has approximately 9,000 bachelor's students, face challenges in providing effective mobility opportunities. The most significant hurdles include offering attractive mobility experiences to students and establishing mobility agreements with other universities. Nonetheless, the reduced size of UPNA provides some potential benefits, such as more personalized advice for students and better knowledge of the available destinations. This article discusses the internationalization strategy implemented by the Faculty of Industrial and ICT Engineering at UPNA, which has enabled over 25% of its students to participate in a mobility experience, resulting in a high satisfaction rate. This contribution provides valuable insights into how smaller universities can successfully offer international mobility programmes to their students.
Open Access
Extensive analysis of photovoltaic battery self-consumption: evaluation through an innovative district case-study
(AIP Publishing, 2019) Millet, Lluís; Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Bruch, Maximilian; Reiners, N.; Vetter, M.; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Energy storage is one of the key elements within the actual stage of the energy transition, as it is probably one of the most important factors to allow high penetration of fluctuating renewable energies, such as wind or solar, in the existing power systems. Intensive research is being conducted to assess the economic aspects and technical performance of renewable energy-based systems supported by batteries by evaluating different services that batteries can provide to the electric grid or to the end-consumers. In Germany, where the majority of the currently installed 43 GW of PV capacity corresponds to small residential, commercial, or industrial facilities, an interesting market for batteries to enhance local self-consumption and autarky is already booming, with more than 80 000 storage system installations in 2017. In this context, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the photovoltaic battery model by analyzing the technical and economic consequences that variations on the most relevant system parameters induce. The presented results are based on high resolution data obtained from a representative residential district with an autarky of above 95%. The employed battery model is based on the results obtained through an extensive test campaign and includes electrical and thermal sub-models. The analysis predicts that grid parity of residential PV battery systems can be reached in the upcoming years, with especially great potential of the retrofitting market for those PV installations which run out of the feed-in tariff policy.
Open Access
Hydrogen educational activities developed by APERNA: a renewable-energy student association
(Asociación Española del Hidrógeno, 2016) Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; San Martín Biurrun, Idoia; Samanes Pascual, Javier; Pascual Miqueleiz, Julio María; Barrios Rípodas, Ernesto; Parra Laita, Íñigo de la; Urtasun Erburu, Andoni; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación
In this paper, we present APERNA, a recently-created student association at Public University of Navarre (UPNA) with the aim of promotion of renewable energies.
Open Access
Inclusion of a supercapacitor energy storage system in DFIG and full-converter PMSG wind turbines for inertia emulation
(IEEE, 2023) Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Sacristán Sillero, Javier; López Taberna, Jesús; Rodríguez Izal, José Luis; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
The energy transition towards renewables must be accelerated to achieve climate targets. To do so, renewable power plants, such as wind power plants (WPPs) must replace conventional power plants (CPPs). Transmission System Operators require this replacement to be made without weakening the frequency response of power systems, so it must be ensured that WPPs match the response of CPPs to grid frequency variations. CPPs consist of grid-tied synchronous generators that inherently react to frequency variations by modifying their stored kinetic energy and their output power, thereby contributing to grid stability. Such response is known as inertial response. By contrast, wind turbines (WTs) are mostly based on either doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) or permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG). Their power electronics interface decouples the electromechanical behavior of the generator from the power grid, leading to a negligible inertial response. Therefore, in order to replace CPPs with WPPs, WTs must be able to react to frequency variations by changing their output power, i.e., emulating an inertial response. Currently implemented inertia emulation strategies in WTs rely on pitch control and stored kinetic energy variation. This paper proposes an alternative strategy, using the energy stored in a supercapacitor directly connected to the back-to-back converter DC link to emulate inertia. Its performance is validated by means of simulation for both DFIG and PMSG. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, it allows a more accurate emulation of grid-tied synchronous generators, favoring the replacement of these generators by WTs.
Open Access
Onset of irreversible reactions in overcharging lithium-ion cells: an experimental and modeling approach
(IEEE, 2023) Irujo Izcue, Elisa; Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Lalinde Sainz, Iñaki; Arza, Joseba; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Ursúa Rubio, Alfredo; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Lithium-ion batteries are energy storage systems used in an increasing number of applications. Due to their flammable materials, their use entails risks of fire and explosion. The study of the abuse operation of these batteries before reaching the thermal runaway is a relevant research topic to prevent safety issues. There are various studies in the bibliography providing exhaustive thermal studies of the safe operating area, as well as concerning the thermal runaway. However, the onset irreversible reactions, that take place at a SOC around 110%, have not been properly analyzed. We present in this contribution an experimental study of this onset reaction measured in pouch Li-ion cells under various conditions of charge current and temperature. We also propose a lumped-parameter thermal model for the cell, which allows a detailed characterization of this exothermic reaction. The results achieved in this contributions can be a key tool to prevent overcharge accidents that may arise due to malfunctioning of the battery charger or battery management system.
Open Access
Role of student associations in the acquisition of competences in university engineering programs
(IEEE, 2023) Samanes Pascual, Javier; Parra Laita, Íñigo de la; Berrueta Irigoyen, Alberto; Rosado Galparsoro, Leyre; Soto Cabria, Adrián; Elizondo Martínez, David; Catalán Ros, Leyre; Sanchis Gúrpide, Pablo; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
Students in the STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), do not only require deep technical knowledge, but a complete set of global skills related to management, teamwork, lifelong learning, personal development, communications skills or proactiveness, abilities often referred as soft-skills. Student-led organizations, and specifically, university student associations, are one of the best alternatives to promote the acquisition of soft-skills in STEM high education fields. These skills are competences already included in official university programs that can hardly be addressed or acquired from traditional university education. This article studies how student enrollment in student led organizations (SLOs), with an active participation on their organization and activities, allows engineering students to achieve a better development of these soft skills. As case study, a medium size university, with 9000-students and eleven SLOs, six of them focused on STEM related fields, is used in this paper. A survey is conducted among the university community to identify their degree of participation in SLOs, and to test whether participation in these initiatives increases students' self-perception of their soft skill acquisition during their university studies. This survey shows how students of engineering programs, with a high degree of involvement in SLOs, demonstrated greater confidence in their soft skills at the end of their university years.