SK On and SK Enmove to Unveil Advanced Immersion Cooling Technology at InterBattery 2025

SK On and SK Enmove to Showcase Immersion Cooling at InterBattery 2025

SK On, a prominent global battery and trading company, has announced its plans to present an advanced thermal management solution alongside SK Enmove at the upcoming InterBattery 2025 exhibition. This event, which is South Korea’s largest battery exhibition, will be held at COEX in Seoul from March 5-7.

The focus of their presentation will be on immersion cooling technology for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Immersion cooling is a thermal management method that cools heat-generating components by directly submerging them in thermal fluids. For EV batteries, this involves circulating electrically insulating thermal fluids within the battery pack to efficiently dissipate heat. This direct contact between the coolant and the battery cells effectively mitigates temperature increases, outperforming traditional indirect cooling systems that rely on air or water. Immersion cooling is particularly advantageous during fast charging, as it maintains lower cell temperatures and minimizes temperature variations across the battery cells, ultimately extending battery life.

The battery pack utilizing immersion cooling technology, currently under development by SK On and SK Enmove, is designed to enhance cooling efficiency through an optimized fluid flow structure. This design maximizes the contact area between the thermal fluids and the battery cells.

To further leverage the benefits of immersion cooling, SK On plans to integrate its wireless battery management system (BMS). A BMS continuously monitors critical battery parameters such as temperature, voltage, and current, while managing the charging and discharging performance among cells. This system is essential for optimizing both battery performance and longevity. Traditional BMS solutions require wiring harnesses and connectors, complicating the battery pack structure and limiting space efficiency. When combined with immersion cooling, these wires can disrupt the flow of thermal fluids, adversely affecting cooling performance.

To solve this issue, SK On has developed a new approach where a wireless chip is attached to the cell tabs. The data collected from the cells is then transmitted to the BMS through antennas embedded within the module. This innovative combination of immersion cooling and wireless BMS allows for unobstructed thermal fluid flow, simplifying the design and enhancing physical stability, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leakage and improving waterproof performance. Furthermore, the absence of physical wires increases energy density by creating extra space, and reliability improves as it eliminates wire-related defects.

The commercialization of the wireless BMS is expected to facilitate the widespread adoption of the “Battery Passport,” a digital record that provides comprehensive information about a battery’s lifecycle, including manufacturing details, usage history, and recycling data. This system allows for easy management of various battery metrics, such as state of charge, cycle life, and carbon footprint.

Kisoo Park, Head of SK On’s R&D Division, commented on the anticipated demand for wireless BMS and immersion cooling technologies, emphasizing their importance as electric vehicle penetration continues to rise. He stated, “As we aim to lead in battery safety solutions, SK On will continue to contribute to electrification through technological innovation.”

Meanwhile, SK Enmove is positioning itself as an “Energy Saving Company” and has been strengthening its presence in the global immersion cooling market. It leverages its competitive advantage in raw materials, supported by a stable supply of high-quality base oils and advanced thermal fluid technology tailored for various immersion cooling applications. Last year, SK Enmove, in partnership with Hanwha Aerospace, introduced the world’s first immersion cooling energy storage system (ESS), which effectively mitigates fire risks by directly immersing the maritime ESS in thermal fluids.