Testing new lithium-ion battery designs for improved performance, reliability, and safety is traditionally a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. These conventional methods depend heavily on trial-and-error, localized facilities, and costly physical experiments, making them a bottleneck in the battery manufacturers race for cleaner, more efficient energy systems.
To address this challenge, INEGI has led the development of a new suite of Digital Twin models that aim to build the battery components information schema, virtualize and streamline battery testing. This represents a significant leap forward, enabling simulations of cells, modules, and battery packs that reduce the need for repetitive physical tests—accelerating R&D cycles and improving overall testing precision.
At the heart of this innovation is a structured and adaptable framework composed of four key elements: Data Models, Digital Twin Models, Communication Models, and Metadata Models. Together, these components facilitate efficient data flow, traceability, and integration between virtual and physical systems—laying the groundwork for smart, AI-supported decision-making in testing environments.
These models are agnostic and application-flexible. While developed for use in three core battery domains—automotive, stationary, and off-road—the architecture can easily be transferred to other sectors with minimal adaptation.
This work was carried out by INEGI with collaborative input from COMAU as part of FASTEST. It aligns with the project’s goal to deliver a fast-track testing platform that fuses physical and virtual experimentation using advanced digital methodologies.
The deliverable, entitled Digital Twins models definition, forms the conceptual backbone of the platform and supports ongoing development and integration efforts. It also builds on the ontology defined in earlier project phases, ensuring that physical assets and testing procedures are consistently characterized across systems.
INEGI’s contribution represents a tangible step toward a more agile, sustainable, and digitally empowered future for battery technology—and sets the stage for broader adoption of Digital Twins across testing-intensive industries.