OPTIMIZATION OF COOLING STRATEGIES IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PACKS

Electric vehicles (EVs) present a promising solution to address the global energy crisis and combat climate change within the transportation sector.Currently, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have gained widespread adoption as the primary energy source for EVs, attributed to various advantages, including higher power density.In the quest to rival internal combustion engine vehicles, there is a continuous effort to enhance the capacity of Li-ion batteries, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of EVs.The effective thermal management of Li-ion batteries is crucial for ensuring their performance characteristics and safe operation.This hinges on maintaining an optimal operating temperature, prompting the need for advanced cooling strategies.While commercially employed cooling methods face challenges in managing the thermal demands of high-power density batteries, researchers are actively exploring innovative approaches to overcome these limitations and integrate them into next-generation battery thermal management systems.This review consolidates a plethora of research studies investigating advanced cooling strategies for battery thermal management in EVs.Examining the time span from 2018 to 2023, the review provides a comprehensive overview of research on phase change material cooling and direct liquid cooling.The discussion encompasses both experimental and numerical works conducted to date, shedding light on the efficacy of these cooling strategies.Despite the consideration of phase change material cooling, the review emphasizes the current research momentum behind direct liquid cooling as an emerging and promising battery thermal management technique.Direct liquid cooling demonstrates the potential to optimize battery performance under normal and extreme operating conditions.Nevertheless, extensive research efforts are still required to advance the commercial viability of direct liquid cooling as a leading-edge battery thermal management solution for EVs.This review serves as a valuable resource, offering a focused exploration of contemporary research on advanced cooling strategies for battery thermal management.It not only provides insights into the present state of the field but also guides future endeavors in the pursuit of a suitable and effective cooling strategy for the next generation of EVs.