Thermal modeling course for batteries
Online course of 300 hours in battery thermal models, structured in 6 modules covering cell heat generation, reduced-order thermal models, 3D and CFD modelling, thermal runaway and propagation, and system thermal management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Quantify reversible and irreversible heat generation in lithium cells.
Develop reduced-order thermal models for use in the BMS.
Simulate module and pack cooling systems using CFD.
Analyse thermal runaway and its propagation between cells.
Design thermal management strategies for fast charging and extreme climates.
Validate thermal models with experimental data.
Develop the complete thermal model of a battery pack.
Who it's for
- Battery thermal management engineers.
- CFD simulation engineers moving into battery cooling.
- Pack development engineers responsible for module and pack design.
- BMS engineers who need reliable temperature estimation.
- Battery safety specialists working on thermal runaway and propagation.
- Researchers in electrochemical energy storage.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter battery manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No. 100 (safety of the electric power train of road vehicles)
- GB 38031 (Chinese safety requirements for EV traction batteries)
- IEC 62660-2 (reliability and abuse testing of lithium-ion cells for EVs)
- SAE J2464 (EV battery abuse testing)
- ISO 12405-4 (performance testing of lithium-ion traction battery packs and systems)
- IEC 62619 (safety of industrial lithium batteries)
- SAE J2929 (safety standard for EV and hybrid propulsion battery systems)
- UN 38.3 (transport testing of lithium batteries)
- Ansys Fluent
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- GT-SUITE
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+
- MATLAB/Simulink
6 modules
1.1Irreversible heat from Joule effect and polarisation1.2Reversible heat and entropic coefficient1.3Bernardi equation for heat generation1.4Dependence of internal resistance on temperature and SOC1.5Cylindrical, prismatic and pouch cells1.6Anisotropic thermal conductivity of the cell1.7Heat capacity and calorimetry techniques1.8Internal gradients and their effect on ageing1.9Optimum thermal operating window1.10Workshop: heat generated during fast charging
2.1Lumped-parameter models2.2Thermal resistance and capacitance networks2.3Coupled electrothermal model2.4Pseudo-2D model with thermal coupling2.5Identification of thermal parameters2.6Estimation of internal temperature2.7Observers and Kalman filters2.8Implementation of models in the BMS2.9Validation with thermocouples and thermal imaging cameras2.10Practical: thermal RC model of a 21700 cell
3.1Meshing of cells, modules and packs3.2NTGK and MSMD electrochemical models3.3Cold plates and coolant channels3.4Air, liquid and immersion cooling3.5Phase change materials3.6Thermal interface materials3.7Pressure drop and pumping power3.8Thermal uniformity analysis of the pack3.9Reduced-order models derived from CFD3.10Lab: CFD simulation of a cold plate
4.1Exothermic reactions and onset temperatures4.2Accelerating rate calorimetry4.3Kinetic models of thermal runaway4.4Venting and composition of emitted gases4.5Thermal propagation between cells4.6Mica and aerogel thermal barriers4.7GB 38031 propagation requirements4.8UNECE Regulation No. 100 propagation test4.9Simulation of abuse scenarios4.10Case study: propagation barrier in a module
5.1Cooling loops and heat pump5.2Preheating for fast charging5.3Pack thermal control strategies5.4Operation in extreme climates5.5Integration with vehicle climate control5.6Energy optimisation of the thermal circuit5.7Specification of thermal requirements5.8Climatic testing of complete packs5.9Ageing and thermal strategy5.10Case study: thermal preconditioning strategy
6.1Cell selection and pack configuration6.2Characterisation and input data6.3Reduced thermal model of the cell6.43D model of the module and cooling6.5Simulation of charge and discharge cycles6.6Analysis of a propagation scenario6.7Proposal for a thermal control strategy6.8Validation and discussion of uncertainties6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, GT-SUITE, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for CFD simulation of battery cooling systems, calibration of electrothermal models and analysis of thermal runaway propagation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: UNECE Regulation No. 100, GB 38031, IEC 62660-2, SAE J2464, ISO 12405-4, IEC 62619, SAE J2929, UN 38.3.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, GT-SUITE, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and MATLAB/Simulink, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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