Les batteries au lithium à électrolyte polymère. Les activités de R&D à Hydro-Québec

Abstract
Hydro-Québec, in close collaboration with the French CNRS and the INP de Grenoble for the LIES laboratory, has been involved in electrochemical research and development activities on a rechargeable lithium polymer battery since 1979. Major improvements in the battery performance in terms of cycling and energy density led to a joint-venture with Yuasa, a Japanese battery manufacturer, in 1990. Room-temperature activities, dedicated to electronics, are carried out by the Japanese and electric vehicle and stationary applications by the Canadians. Hydro-Québec's R&D activities are presently focused on the 2-kWh battery program. The main goal is to prove the feasibility of this technology, assess the unit operation required for production by an integrated pilot plant, and demonstrate the technology on the 2-kWh scale. The IREQ laboratory in Varennes is responsible for film preparation and characterizations (cycling, post-mortem, thermal management...) and LTEE laboratory in Shawinigan for cell assembly and packaging.