The primary focus of this research was the integration of series-loaded resonant (SLR) converters into a field-programmable gate array controlled power converter for use in balancing a series-connected battery bank. As the limits of the power grid are continually extended, the market demand for alternate power sources and energy storage systems will continue to grow. The goal of this research was to build and integrate a bank of SLR converters for use in balancing a series-connected battery bank that is part of a broader system used for power storage and conversion. Voltage and temperature sensors were used to monitor individual cell state-of-charge and rate-of-charge and discharge. Voltage-to-frequency conversion was used to read sensor parameters. A battery balancing algorithm was designed, integrated and demonstrated with experimental results.

Subjects: power storage; series loaded resonant converter; voltage calibration; temperature sensing; battery balancing; field programmable gate array