SPAR: Smart Photonic fibre sensing and digital twin for Advanced energy stoRage systems

This SPAR project seeks to revolutionise the safety, efficiency, and performance of advanced energy storage systems, with a primary focus on batteries. As energy storage is critical to the renewable energy transition, the SPAR project addresses key challenges such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle optimisation by integrating advanced photonic fibre sensing technologies with cutting-edge digital twin methodologies. By embedding smart photonic fibre sensors directly into battery systems, SPAR enables robust, high-resolution, distributed, and real-time monitoring of critical parameters, including internal/external temperature, pressure, cell expansion, state of charge estimation and state-of-health, at both the cell and pack levels. These data streams are harnessed within a dynamic digital twin framework, creating a virtual replica of the battery system to enable predictive analytics, early fault detection, and enhanced performance management. This integrated approach significantly enhances battery safety, extends operational lifespan, and optimizes energy storage efficiency for applications ranging from grid-scale storage to electric vehicles. Through collaboration between academic institutions, industry leaders, and end-users, SPAR is poised to set a new standard in battery management systems, contributing to Europe’s leadership in sustainable, intelligent energy technologies. By driving innovation at the intersection of photonics, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), SPAR supports European goals for clean energy, decarbonization, and technological resilience, ensuring the reliable and sustainable operation of next-generation energy storage systems.