Particulate contaminants are specified within Technical Cleanliness Analysis (TCA). In industrial processes, particles are constantly present; they are generated during material handling, transportation, and even through natural movements within the production environment. Even particles that are normally harmless can pose a serious risk to sensitive components such as battery modules, high-voltage systems, and seals by causing short circuits and impaired functionality. To prevent these issues, it is crucial to understand the properties, quantity, and effects of particles, as well as to develop methods for their control and analysis.

This project primarily addresses manufacturing, which must be cost-effective, sustainable, and safe in order to produce batteries with high quality and long service life. For these aspects, technical cleanliness is important. This means maintaining a production environment free from contaminants and particles to ensure the high quality and reliability of manufactured components.

At present, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the electrical properties of particles, critical particle types, and tolerance levels.

Particles are present in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the submicrometre scale to a few millimetres. They are continuously generated and introduced during normal industrial processes, or when doors are opened and closed, people walk, objects are moved, and so forth. Particles are present, and will always be present, in greater or lesser quantities, but the most important task is to determine:

• Where do particles pose a risk to components or systems?
• Which types of particles are critical for normal operation?
• When (during which process) are harmful particles generated?
• What contamination level (number of particles) is hazardous?
• How can particles be removed from sensitive components?
• How are particles analysed and measured?

The objective is to contribute new knowledge that strengthens existing guidelines and standards, thereby enabling cost-effective, sustainable, and safe battery manufacturing with high quality and long service life through the avoidance of harmful particles.

Validate battery performance under realistic conditions

Requirements for modern battery packs are rapidly increasing – higher energy density, longer lifespan, and stricter safety standards, while development timelines are shrinking. To make timely and well-informed decisions, you need tests that go beyond theory and reflect real-world usage.

In our climate chambers, you can test complete battery systems under controlled and realistic environmental conditions. We expose battery packs to extreme temperatures, varying humidity, and high power levels, giving you a clear understanding of how the system performs in practice.

The result is better risk control, fewer late-stage redesigns, and a more efficient development process.

The offering includes

As part of SEEL’s climate chamber battery pack testing services, you gain access to both advanced test infrastructure and hands-on engineering support:

Testing of complete battery packs
Verify the entire system – including battery modules, BMS, cooling systems, and electrical and mechanical components – in an integrated and realistic test environment.

Climate and thermal testing
Ensure functionality and durability under extreme temperatures (–40 °C to +120 °C) and varying humidity (10–98% RH), corresponding to real driving and storage conditions.

Cycling and performance verification
Conduct cycling and RPT tests at high power (up to 1800 kW) to analyze capacity, degradation, and system behavior over time.

BMS verification and in-depth analysis
Integrate with the BMS and access detailed data at cell and module level – including voltage, current, and temperature – to optimize control strategies and safety functions.

Production and quality assurance
Verify battery packs in production-like environments to ensure requirements for functionality, quality, and safety are met before delivery.

Tailored test programs
Receive test setups tailored to your needs, from early development stages to validation and industrialization.

Test capacity that meets real-world demands

To simulate real loads and environmental conditions, our climate chambers are designed for high power, flexibility, and safe operation:

• Seven climate chambers for parallel testing
• Large test volume: 2200 × 3500 × 2600 mm per chamber
• Temperature range: –40 °C to +120 °C
• Humidity range: 10% RH to 98% RH
• Two test channels per chamber
• Up to 1200 A and 1000 V per channel
• Max effect: Up to 1800 kW

Together, this enables testing of complete battery packs under conditions that reflect real-world usage, from extreme climates to high-load scenarios.

Safe testing of critical systems

Battery pack testing requires a secure environment. Our climate chambers are equipped with advanced safety systems, including gas detection, pressure relief, and automatic shutdown functions. This ensures that even demanding tests can be carried out safely and in a controlled manner.

What happens after testing?

You receive a structured test report with measurement data, analysis, and clear conclusions. The results provide a solid decision basis for further development, optimization, or certification.

Why choose SEEL

SEEL – the Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory – is Sweden’s national test center for research and development in electromobility. Here, advanced test infrastructure meets cutting‑edge expertise to accelerate the development of next‑generation electrified transport solutions – and to strengthen a sustainable, competitive battery value chain in Sweden and Europe.

As a SEEL customer, you gain access not only to our test infrastructure but to an entire ecosystem of complementary expertise and testing capabilities. Maximize the value of your vehicle testing by combining it with specialist competencies within SEEL and RISE, such as solar simulations, EMC testing and advanced environmental testing.

As an independent actor, we deliver objective and reliable results in modern laboratories where every test is carried out in a controlled and repeatable environment. This provides safe, comparable and decision‑supporting data that drives development forward.

Our strategic location on Hisingen in Gothenburg also offers fast and convenient access to the region’s strong automotive and industrial cluster. This means shorter lead times, proximity to the right expertise and a partner who can support you throughout the entire development chain – from idea to verified solution.

Contact us today!

Would you like to strengthen your development with reliable battery pack testing in climate chambers? Contact Edi Vejzovic below, and we will explain how we can support your project.

Background and objectives

Electrification demands that batteries are used longer and more intelligently. Today, standardized and easily accessible information about battery history is often missing, making it difficult to assess their condition and potential for reuse. As a result, many batteries are recycled or landfilled even though they could have been given a second life.

The project Can I please have a BIF with that battery? An extended battery data passport, enabling improved reuse, refurbishment and recycling of light mobility batteries and beyond therefore develops a Battery Information Format (BIF) designed from the outset to support predictive models and digital twins. By providing standardized data optimized for ageing and lifetime modelling, the risks associated with buying and using second‑hand batteries are reduced.

With large‑scale data collection from Voi’s fleet of e‑scooters, we can systematically optimize a data‑driven BIF that both reduces the amount of data required and enables high‑accuracy predictions of battery degradation. The outcome will strengthen circular flows, reduce uncertainty in the second‑hand market, and promote more sustainable battery material streams.

Project within Re:Source 

The project is financed by RE:Source that is a strategic innovation program – a joint initiative by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas. The project is coordinated by Rocking Chair Informatics and the other project parties are Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University, SEEL and Voi Technology. 

SEEL´s role in the project

SEEL is responsible for defining the test matrix and conducting long‑term measurements on the battery cells used by Voi. Through controlled cycling tests and detailed analysis of degradation data, SEEL complements Voi’s field data and contributes to the development of robust battery ageing models.

The work includes:

• Design of the test matrix and testing methodology
• Execution of extensive cycling and ageing measurements
• Analysis of cell degradation and integration of the results into model development
• Support in developing a functional and industry‑relevant BIF format

This provides the project with a solid foundation, enabling the development of an information format that can benefit the entire industry.

Background

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from electric drive systems is an increasing challenge for the automotive industry. Higher interference levels from modern power electronic components, especially in voltage converters, place greater demands on filtering. At the same time, designs are constrained by strict weight and volume requirements, making traditional EMI filters both costly and difficult to optimize.

In today’s development process, EMI is rarely considered an integrated design feature in the early stages. Instead, it is evaluated late through experimental tests on physical prototypes—a method that is both time-consuming and expensive. This often leads to late design changes and suboptimal solutions.

Project objectives

The project aims to change this approach by identifying which parameters in the electric drive system—such as the design of the electric machine and inverter—have the greatest impact on EMI. By integrating this knowledge early in the design process, interference can be prevented rather than corrected later.

Using advanced system modeling tools, including machine learning, methods are being developed to optimize parameters and minimize EMI. The result is a more efficient development process, enabling electric drive systems to be designed faster to meet EMC requirements while reducing the need for extensive prototype testing.

The project is expected to contribute to lower development costs, reduced environmental impact, and improved performance in future electrified vehicles.

Role of SEEL in the project

RISE and SEEL are responsible for characterizing components in electric drivetrains, supporting Volvo Cars and Scania in developing EMC simulation models, and providing advice on design changes that can improve EMC performance.

Project within FFI

The project is financed by the Swedish Energy Agency through Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation (FFI) that is a joint program between the Swedish state and the automotive industry. The project is coordinated by Volvo Cars, and the other project parties are Scania, Chalmers University of Technology, RISE, SEEL, Nexans, Roxtec International, and Provinn.

Safety Week 2027 is a unique concept that brings together three international conferences organised by RISE. In this way, we are creating a new cross-sector meeting place for those working in the fields of battery, vehicle and tunnel safety. 

Over the course of five days, you can attend one, two or all three of the conferences – the choice is yours!

• FIVE – International Conference on Fires in Vehicles FIVE 2027
• TBSC – The Battery Safety Conference
• ISTSS – International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security.

Register here

The 9th International Conference on Fires in Vehicles FIVE 2027

FIVE brings together experts from around the world to address issues relating to vehicle fire safety. Here, vehicle manufacturers, emergency services, researchers and regulators come together to discuss fire risks, new technologies and future challenges in everything from cars to trains and buses.

The Battery Safety Conference 2027 

The Battery Safety Conference is the meeting place for everyone working in the field of safe electrification, from research and testing to industry and policy. Topics discussed include thermal runaway, risk management and the development of advanced battery systems. The conference is aimed at researchers, engineers, regulatory bodies and others who wish to understand the latest challenges and solutions in battery safety.

The 12th International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security ISTSS 2027

ISTSS is a well-established forum for everyone working in the field of tunnel safety and underground infrastructure. Topics discussed include ventilation, evacuation, risk management and future safety solutions, with participants from all over the world and a wide range of expertise.

What is Safety Week 2027?

By bringing together three conferences during Safety Week 2027, we are uniting three closely related fields. Developments in battery technology affect vehicle safety, and vehicle-specific risks play a major role in tunnel environments. By having the conferences in the same week, we create a unique hub where knowledge, perspectives and experiences can come together across sectors.

Why should I take part in Safety Week 2027?

Safety Week 2027 makes it easy to combine content, make more contacts and identify trends and connections that are otherwise easily overlooked. The week is aimed at those who want to broaden their knowledge, find new partnerships, and help shape the safety issues of the future.

Gothenburg is waiting – don't miss Safety Week 2027!

The Battery Safety Conference focuses on battery safety and how we can work together to enable safe electrification. April 2027 marks the third edition of the conference.

Who is the conference for?

The Battery Safety Conference 2027 takes place 6–7 April in Gothenburg. It welcomes researchers, engineers, decision-makers and regulatory bodies. In short: anyone interested in the latest news, challenges and solutions in battery safety.

The big news for 2027: Safety Week

We are proud to announce a new initiative for next year’s conference. The Battery Safety Conference will take place during the same week as the two international conferences, FIVE and ISTSS. We are calling this initiative ‘Safety Week 2027’. You can choose which conferences you would like to attend – one, two, or perhaps all three! Find out more about Safety Week.

The Battery Safety Conference in retrospect

The 2026 edition of the conference brought together around 250 participants from 19 countries, demonstrating strong international engagement across the entire battery value chain. The most common professions were engineers and technical specialists, researchers and academics, managers and executives, safety and risk specialists, and specialists in batteries, energy, and regulatory compliance.

The Battery Safety Conference – a key meeting place

The wide range of nationalities and professional roles underlines the conference’s broad relevance and its role as a key meeting place for collaboration on battery safety. In addition to attending presentations by leading battery experts, there is a strong focus on networking, including a networking dinner. You will also have the opportunity to visit our battery safety lab in Borås or SEEL in Gothenburg.

Register here

The aim of The Battery Safety Conference

The conference aims to accelerate safe electrification by:
• Highlighting and discussing the challenges within battery safety
• Strengthening collaboration between different stakeholders

A European initiative for the future of energy storage

As Europe’s energy system transitions toward more renewable sources, the need for efficient and sustainable energy‑storage solutions is growing. Sodium‑ion batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium‑ion technology, thanks to sodium’s abundance, lower cost, and suitability for stationary applications. The project Advanced Technology for stationary Energy storage systems in NA-ion (ATENA+) will demonstrate how the technology can be scaled up and deployed in real‑world environments.

The project is funded by the EU’s research programme Horizon Europe and runs from January 2025 to December 2028 (Grant Agreement No. 101192673). With nearly 7 million euros in support, the consortium is working to develop the entire value chain for sodium‑ion batteries, from raw materials to system‑level demonstration.

A comprehensive approach to sodium‑ion batteries

ATENA+ takes a holistic approach to the development of sodium‑ion batteries. The work includes:

• raw‑material processing and electrode development
• cell manufacturing and process upscaling
• advanced performance and safety testing
• design of modules and battery‑management systems
• system validation in five different use cases within stationary storage and short‑range vehicles

How SEEL and RISE contribute to the project

SEEL will perform electrochemical assessment of the Na-ion cells consisting of both calendar and cycling aging tests performs at different operating temperatures, P-rates, and SOC intervals. RISE is responsible for safety assessment and will conduct test to determine cells safety (flame, rupture, explosion, leakage etc) and thermal runaway (energy, quantity of gas released, gas composition, temperature, toxicity etc.) behaviours.

European collaboration between leading actors

The consortium consists of 13 partners from across Europe, where research institutes, industrial companies, and innovation organisations work together to drive development: CIDETEC (Spain), Saft (France), Topsoe Battery Materials (Denmark), Stora Enso (Finland/Sweden), E‑Lyte Innovations (Germany), Iberdrola Renovables Energia (Spain), ZSW (Germany), RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, SEEL Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory (Sweden), VITO (Belgium), Life Cycle Engineering (Italy), Fondazione ICONS (Italy) och Engreen (Italy).

Together, they aim to strengthen the European value chain and accelerate electrification and the green transition.