Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

1. Overview While well-maintained power grids are generally more resistant to failure, unavailability of the electrical grid may result in severe consequences. The aim of this research program is the development of self-monitoring energy storage technologies. Establishing an advanced reliability framework will lead to new scientific tools, accelerating their deployment in grid integration and electric transportation applications. To achieve this, calendar aging of next generation energy storage devices is key for developing new fault diagnosis and failure prognosis tools. Once these failure predictors are determined, advanced methods can be developed to minimize aging precursors on these components and extend lifetime use. The developed technologies will provide a foundation for self-monitoring smart-energy storage systems that can recognize failure precursors at an early stage and therefore prevent catastrophic failures. 2. Intellectual merits The aim of this research program is to investigate incipient faults and develop online fault diagnosis/failure prognosis tools to establish early warning systems for future energy systems. Continuously monitoring energy storage is essential, to prevent unexpected shutdowns and failures that could result in fatal accidents or significant loss in operations. Current diagnostic engineering tools are not sophisticated enough to detect/identify in real-time failure precursors in the context of data unavailability, leading to a major reliability gap in energy storage systems. This research program investigates numerous degradation processes of energy storage devices to develop novel, online degradation monitoring tools under limited data availability and to improve the overall reliability of energy systems. Developed tools will enable autonomous incipient fault diagnosis and health assessment for self-monitoring, smart-energy systems. 3. Broader impacts It is crucial for Canada to develop robust and advanced systems to ensure energy security and protect its citizens from energy failure and to retain its competitive edge in energy and transportation sectors. However, to remain competitive, there is an urgent need to invest in self-monitoring energy systems. Furthermore, developed diagnosis/prognosis tools for energy storage can be adapted to the latest generation of power semiconductors, such as wide-bandgap semiconductors. Considering the vast market for semiconductors, industrial benefits extend far beyond energy storage, to fast-growing fields where electronic components are used. Additionally, the research will impact diverse student populations, including underrepresented groups. Canada will benefit from a diverse skilled workforce to address the changing nature of the economy and develop a world-leading innovation economy that creates jobs in an increasingly competitive global economy. Furthermore, the research will generate experimental datasets that will be made publicly available to other researchers.