NIT Rourkela patents hybrid energy storage for EVs

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have patented a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) designed to extend the life of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The technology, developed by Professor Monalisa Pattnaik, Dr. Pradyumna Kumar Behera, and Karan Gupta, combines a battery pack with a supercapacitor to manage power surges.

The system is specifically optimized for low-voltage EV platforms operating between 24V and 60V DC, such as electric scooters, motorcycles, e-rickshaws, and industrial utility vehicles. By using a simplified power-electronics design, the architecture utilizes a single power converter, an inductor, and one control system to manage power flow. This reduces the number of components and control circuits compared to conventional hybrid systems.

The hybrid approach addresses the thermal and electrical stress caused by rapid acceleration, deceleration, and regenerative braking. While batteries can suffer from performance degradation due to high-rate power fluctuations, the supercapacitors in this system handle short-duration, high-power events due to their ability to charge and discharge rapidly.