Investigation of a novel lithium battery thermal management strategy by using thermoelectric technology

Effective thermal management is essential for ensuring the performance, safety, and longevity of lithium-ion batteries, particularly under high-load and fluctuating operating conditions. This study proposes a novel battery thermal management strategy based on thermoelectric cooling (TEC) technology. The system integrates TEC modules with the battery pack via high-conductivity copper plates, enabling efficient heat transfer and localized temperature control. Both experimental investigations and numerical simulations were conducted to assess the performance of various structural configurations. Results demonstrate that the TEC-based strategy outperforms conventional forced air cooling, achieving an average battery temperature reduction of 4–5 °C and maintaining maximum temperature differences below 3 °C in dual-sided TEC configurations. The use of copper plates further enhances thermal uniformity and cooling efficiency. Compared to microchannel liquid cooling systems, TEC provides superior temperature stability with lower structural complexity and energy consumption. Overall, the proposed strategy offers a compact, responsive, and scalable thermal management solution with strong potential to mitigate thermal runaway and improve electrochemical consistency across battery cells.