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Cutting edge R&D to fuel continuous Forsee Power battery system innovation

Forsee Power has been a pioneer in the domain of smart battery systems since its creation in 2011. The Group was the first to equip electric buses in Europe and North America in 2013 and to offer an opportunity charging solution in London in 2014.

A pioneer cell-to-pack manufacturer since 2018, we recently launched the thinnest modular battery system in the world with the ZEN SLIM range, ZEN PLUS for high-energy packs for 650 V and 800 V application in a same format, and ultra-fast charging systems for catenary free tramways.

Innovation is part of our DNA and our passionate teams in Europe and Asia collaborate every day to improve performance and competitiveness of our products, lower their carbon footprint and innovate the smart battery systems and related solutions of tomorrow.

Aymeric Derville, CTIO

Our R&D policy

Based on 25+ years of battery expertise, the Forsee Power global R&D team is dedicated to innovating efficient, competitive, and sustainable smart battery systems and related end-to-end solutions for targeted electromobility market segments, helping our customers and cities reduce their carbon footprint.

We do this by improving performance and safety, anticipating customer’s needs, and integrating the latest technologies and material, with a cost-effective and differentiating approach.

In our R&D approach, we consider the entire life cycle of the battery system, including its first life onboard vehicles, a possible second life into stationary systems and finally the end of life. Customer applications, maintainability, repairability, recyclability, as well as robust manufacturing and sourcing are key factors of the product development process.

Indeed, the transition to electromobility only makes sense if the battery systems are sustainable; sustainability is a key driver in our R&D efforts.

Eco-design is at the heart of product innovation, setting targets for longer life cycles, better performance, higher safety standards, less energy consumption in the manufacturing process and lower carbon footprint material.

This is made possible through a deep and broad combination of engineering expertise at every step of the process, including electrochemistry and cells testing, advanced modeling and simulations, real-time electronics, embedded software, mechanical and thermal design, and extensive testing.

Collaboration with projects & programs, industrialization and supply chain teams is also a key success factor to our approach.

Major trends and key drivers

Sustainability
Lower carbon footprint and integrate more recycled material, better repairability, recyclability

Solution-focus
Go beyond the embedded battery packs and systems, optimize first life service, anticipate second life…

Digitalization & AI
Natively integrate connectivity – IoT, cybersecurity, data analytics

System Safety & Reliability
ISO 26262 compliance; robust system architectures, in-depth design-FMEAs, non-functional safety, product design robustness

Balanced Innovation Portfolio
Increase focus on upstream studies and generic developments

Collaboration
Leverage Forsee Power multi-site presence and vast areas of expertise in R&D functions and market segments knowledge

Platforming & Modularity
Streamline design diversity (product & process), leverage generic building blocks

Innovation stream

6

PHASES FROM TECHNOLOGY TO FIELD

1. Innovation upstream studies
2. New generic development
3. Bid & early project study
4. Application project development
5. Serial life technical support
6. Continuous engineering

Multidisciplinary expertise

10

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

1. Solutions & End-to-end Systems Development
2. Advanced Modeling, Simulations and Optimization
3. Systems / Products Development
4. Embedded Software Development
5. Hardware (Analog & Digital) Engineering
6. Power Electronics Engineering
7. Electro-Thermo-Mechanical Engineering
8. Mock-ups & Prototyping
9. Tests Methods & Means
10. Systems & Products Testing

International organization

3

R&D CENTERS

Located in Paris, Lyon (France) and Zhongshan (China), our 3 R&D centers include 4 testing laboratories.

They participate in the development of new technologies and growth of people skills, collaborating with a network of experts through academic and B2B partnerships.

Technologies

6

FAMILIES IN A COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO

1. Solutions & connectivity
2. Complex embedded systems
3. Simulation models & building blocks
4. Products development
5. Next generation battery modules
6. Technology bricks

We continuously assess and improve our current proprietary technologies – including BMS platform and DC/DC conversion expertise – and innovate to strengthen our overall technology portfolio such as to maintain a leading position.

Collaborative teams

160+

R&D TALENTS

The Group R&D teams gather more than 160 engineers and technicians covering all the knowledge and know-how required for innovation, design, development, production implementation and monitoring and maintenance of products and systems in service.

We are moving toward the implementation of agile development principles and methods, to better understand the changing needs during the development phases, and to promote better efficiency and autonomy of multi-business project teams.

Eco-design focus

4

ECODESIGN TOOLS

Our R&D team works closely with all functions to ensure a reduced environmental footprint of our products.

We rely on recognized eco-design tools:
1. The 6 RE
2. Battery-tailored checklist
3. The carbon footprint
4. The recycling rate