Battery Technician Program

NOTE:  The upcoming Battery Technician [Beta] Cohort has reached full capacity in regards to the program instructor/facilitator availability and to ensure a satisfactory learner experience.

Join the Waitlist

Date

Sept. 27 to Dec. 5, 2023

Certificate & Digital Badge

Included Upon Completion

About This Course

Ready to grow your skills in the emerging field of battery technologies? This comprehensive program covers the foundational knowledge of batteries, from examining the inner workings to identifying applications in both stationary and mobile systems. Whether you’re intrigued by the renewable energy transition, eager to explore the technical aspects, or interested in the potential of recycling and second-life applications, this program offers a wide range of courses that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the emerging world of batteries.

Throughout the program, you will gain a foundational understanding of batteries, utilize learning guides for each course and develop the knowledge to be better equipped to enter the emerging energy storage industry.

Please Note: All of our programs and individual courses are grant-funded, which allows for course participants to take them at no cost.

Course Format

A 10 week program from September 27 – December 5. Participate in 20 online learning hours, with an optional in-person lab component.

The program is designed as a synchronous learning experience scheduled over a 10 week period. You will progress through the courses led by an expert program facilitator in a cohort of peers during an estimated 2-3 hours per week.

  • Setup: We will have one program facilitator for every 20 learners, to ensure tailored experiences.
  • Available learner support: weekly virtual office hours, email support and discussion forums.
  • Learning aids: utilize self-paced e-learning, self-assessments and printable learning guides. 

Program Outline and Schedule

Week 1 (9/27 – 10/3):

Course 1: Battery Types and Functions

1.1 – Batteries from Different Perspectives

1.2 – Classification of Batteries

1.3 – Components of a Single Cell

1.4 – Lithium-Ion Batteries

1.5 – Lead-Acid Batteries

1.6 – Flow Batteries

 

Week 2 (10/4 – 10/10): 

Course 2: Basic Technical Battery Characteristics

2.1 – Vocabulary of Energy Storage in Batteries

2.2 – Battery Capacity and Energy

2.3 – The Importance of Battery Testing

2.4 – Battery Definitions, Data Sheets and Characteristics

 

Week 3 (10/11 – 10/17):

Course 3: Battery Modules, Packs and Systems

3.1 – Series-Parallel Connection

3.2 – Components of a Battery System

3.3 – Introduction to Battery Management Systems

3.4 – Battery Management Systems Topologies

Lab 1: Oct. 16, 2-5 p.m.

 

Week 4 (10/18 – 10/24):

Course 4: Safety and Regulation 

4.1 – Battery Storage Policies

4.2 – Battery Standards and Regulations

4.3 – Functional Safety and Security

Lab 2: Oct. 20, 2-5 p.m.

Lab 3: Oct. 23, 2-5 p.m.

 

Week 5 (10/25 – 10/31):

Part 1: Optional Lab and/or catch-up on outstanding online training

Lab 4: Oct. 27, 2-5 p.m.

Lab 5: Oct. 30, 2-5 p.m.

 

Week 6 (11/1 – 11/7): 

Course 5: Energy Storage Stationary Applications

5.1 – Flexibility Needs and Role of Battery Storage
5.2 – Battery Storage Technologies
5.3 – Grid-scale Application Battery Storage
5.4 – Behind-the-Meter Application
5.5 – Benefits of Storage Facilities at Home
5.6 – Benefits and Challenges of Local Grids
5.7 – Energy Storage to Manage EV Charging
5.8 – Home Storage Part One
5.9 – Application: Home Storage Systems
5.10 – Home Storage Part Two: Demo

 

Week 7 (11/8 – 11/14):

Course 6: Mobile and Consumer Electronics Applications

6.1 – Battery for Electric Vehicles: Price Development and Trends of Use
6.2 – Electrical Drives in Transportation: Overview of Technologies
6.3 – Charging Infrastructure
6.4 – Battery Storage Application in Mobility
6.5 – Battery Powered Consumer Electronics
6.6 – Application: Energy Efficiency of a USB Power Bank

 

Week 8 (11/15 – 11/21):

Course 7: End-of-Life, Second Life and Recycling

7.1 – Dismantling a Battery Pack
7.2 – Reuse of Batteries
7.3 – EV batteries for Stationary Energy Storage
7.4 – Recycling: General Overview
7.5 – Recycling: Physical Processing
7.6 – Recycling: Hydrometallurgical Processing

 

Week 9 (11/22 – 11/28):

Catch-up on outstanding online training

 

Week 10 (11/29 – 12/5): 

Part 2: Optional Labs and/or last week to catch up and complete outstanding tasks.

Lab 1: Nov. 29, 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m.

Lab 2: Nov. 30, 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m.

Lab 3: Dec. 1, 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m.

Lab 4: Dec. 4, 8 a.m-noon or 1-5 p.m.

Lab 5: Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-noon or 1-5 p.m.

 

 

Optional Hands-On Labs

Hands-on labs are offered as an optional add-on to the Battery Technician Program and are conducted at SUNY Broome Community College in Binghamton, NY. Use the “Register” button at the top of this page to complete the registration form and express your interest in the hands-on labs. 

Upon completion of these labs, you will earn a Battery Technician Practitioner Badge.

 

Part 1 Labs (Oct. 16 – 30):

Afternoon Sessions from 2 – 5 p.m.:
  • Lab Session 1 (Oct. 16): Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory, Stoichiometric Calculations, Redox Reactions
  • Lab Session 2 (Oct. 20): Voltaic Cells, Faraday’s Law, Crystal Structure of LiNbO2 and Theoretical Energy Density Calculations for Li-ion Battery Materials.
  • Lab Session 3 (Oct. 23): Handling Batteries While Respecting Safety and Regulations. Read a Data Sheet to Assemble a Battery Pack, as well as a Battery Safety Lecture.
  • Lab Session 4 (Oct. 27): Assembling and Using a Li-ion Battery Pack.
  • Lab Session 5 (Oct. 30): Battery Workbench Virtual Reality Game.
 

Part 2 Labs (Nov. 29 – Dec. 5)

*For these labs, you can choose between a morning or an afternoon session. 

Morning Sessions from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.:

  • Lab Session 1 (Nov. 29): Battery Pack Construction.
  • Lab Session 2 (Nov. 30): Stationary Power, Grid Interaction and Batteries.
  • Lab Session 3 (Dec. 1): Solar Panel Technology and Sizing for Home.
  • Lab Session 4 (Dec. 4): Testing and Disassembly of Battery Pack.
  • Lab Session 5 (Dec. 5): Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging. 

Afternoon Sessions 1 – 5 p.m.: 

  • Lab Session 1 (Nov. 29): Battery Pack Construction.
  • Lab Session 2 (Nov. 30): Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging.
  • Lab Session 3 (Dec. 1): Solar Panel Technology and Sizing for Home.
  • Lab Session 4 (Dec. 4): Testing and Disassembly of Battery Pack.
  • Lab Session 5 (Dec. 5): Stationary Power, Grid Interaction and Batteries.

Jobs Relevant to the Course

• Automotive technician
• Car mechanic
• Chemistry technician
• Electrical installation technician
• Electrical mechanic
• Electrician
• Lab technician
• Maintenance technician
• Mechanic
• Power electronics technician
• Process operator (e.g. from paper mills, food, chemicals, electronics, oil and gas production or smelters)
• PV installer
• Quality technician
• Persons with knowledge of the basic principles of electricity (e.g. relevant VET education) that would like to work as a battery technician.

Program Credentials

Upon successful completion of the program — passing the course exams with a grade of 75% or higher — you will receive the Battery Technician Badge for display on your social profiles. 

 

Additionally, with completion of the optional hands-on labs, you will earn a Battery Technician Practitioner Badge.

 

Benefits of a Digital Badge include: 

  • A way to distinguish your adeptness in a competitive marketplace.
  • An easy and effective way to showcase your skills to prospective employers.
  • Sharable on your LinkedIn profile, other social media, email signature or on your resume.