Temperature affects batteries in five major ways:
•operation of electrochemical system;
•efficiency and charge acceptance;
•power and energy efficiency;
•safety and reliability; and,
•life and life-cycle costs.
Li-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to low and high temperatures.
For battery packs it is important to regulate the pack to remain in the desired temperature range for optimum performance and life, and also to reduce uneven distribution of temperature throughout a packwhich would lead to reduced performance.
Importantly, the attainment of even temperature distributions through the battery pack eliminates potential hazards related to uncontrolled temperature build-up (‘thermal runaway’).