The product features an aluminium baseplate that dissipates approximately twice the heat of current modules and will be made available from mid-April 2025 internationally.
The use of lithium-ion batteries is increasing and diversifying, and there is a growing demand for batteries that can support constant rapid charging and discharging in applications as diverse as electric buses and power load levelling in stationary applications.
However, constant input and output at high power levels in a short time period generates life-shortening heat within the batteries and this is a challenge for battery developers who are having to manage heat dissipation and maintain battery life while realising high power input and output in a short time.
Toshiba’s SCiB rechargeable batteries have a lithium titanate negative electrode that provides safer operation, a longer life, low-temperature performance, fast charging, high input and output, and a high effective state of charge (SOC). They are widely used in hybrid vehicles and industrial applications and automated guided vehicles in logistics centres. In addition to battery packs and cells, Toshiba also offers battery modules that can be connected in series or in parallel connections to meet required voltages and capacities.
Users of module products want a balance between constant high input and output in a short time and battery life, so Toshiba’s new module is the first to feature an aluminium baseplate. Aluminium is an excellent conductor, and the new module dissipates heat at approximately twice the rate of current battery modules.
Aluminium has a lower thermal resistance than the resin materials usually used in baseplates but as it is a conductor, the baseplate must also be insulated from the battery cells. Toshiba has developed a new structure that achieves the required voltage resistance, allowing commercialisation.
When used with the same cooling system normally applied by customers, and under typical operating conditions, heat dissipation performance is approximately double that of current modules, significantly extending battery life.
The battery module will be certified under the UL1973 safety standard for stationary applications, including off-grid applications and microgrids.
