UNSW – An Essential Guide to Lithium-Ion Battery Systems, Risks and Safety

Lithium-ion batteries power everyday life from e-bikes and power tools to household electronics and energy systems. But when they fail, the consequences can be severe, and as these batteries become part of mainstream life, incidents involving battery failure and fires are becoming more common.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Systems, Risks and Safety course is relevant for anyone who uses, manages, works with, or is responsible for the safety of lithium-ion battery-powered devices; whether that’s e-mobility devices, power tools, household electronics or energy systems. It provides a clear, practical understanding of how lithium-ion batteries work, how and why they fail, and what safe practice looks like in real-world use. It also covers the role of battery management systems in keeping these batteries safe, and how to apply this knowledge when selecting, using, storing, and maintaining battery-powered devices.

The course is 100% online and self-paced, so you can work through it in one sitting or in short sessions to suit your schedule, and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. No prior technical knowledge is required, and short quizzes throughout help reinforce key concepts along the way. You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion once you’re done.

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Learning outcomes

Across four focused modules taking a total of four hours, you will build system-level understanding, including:

• Understand the definition of a lithium-ion battery and their applications, pros and cons in comparison to other battery technologies, their internal components and the properties of different types.
• Identify potentially hazardous events or scenarios that can occur with lithium-ion batteries including thermal runaway.
• Comprehend the various functions and the role of a battery management system with ensuring lithium-ion battery safety
• Apply best-practice risk mitigation, storage, and incident response procedures
• Recognise safe practices and any potentially dangerous activities when selecting and using e-mobility devices or power tools that contain a lithium-ion battery.