Environmentally friendly control electronics for bio-based energy modules

Purpose and goal:

The project aim and objective was to investigate the possibilities of electronics solutions for bio-based batteries where the electronics are as environmentally friendly as the organic battery cells and solar cells. Within the project, simulation models have been developed for several components and various electronic design alternatives have been evaluated.

With the help of LCA, the project has analyzed which parts of the module have the greatest environmental impact. The results of these analyzes will be used in the continued work to develop the energy module. Expected results and effects:

The developed SPICE models have made it possible to simulate and optimize the energy module with the commonly used electronics design tools in the future development work. This, together with the results and insights that the LCA analysis gave, means that there is interest that in the future development also including LCA values in the design optimization phase.

In the product development work, there is now the opportunity to optimize not only against cost and technical function, but also against low environmental impact, i.e. a low LCA value. Approach and implementation:

The tasks were divided so that each participant had clear tasks which were then coordinated by RISE. We had monthly meetings where results were reported and new ideas were discussed.

At the beginning of the project, the need to create SPICE models was identified in order to be able to do simulations later. Measurement data was collected by Ephishine and Ligna and sent to RISE, which created the models.

In order to assess the energy module´s environmental impact, an LCA analysis needs to be carried out. Ephishine had experience with the SimaPro program, which is dominant on the LCA market.