Enhancing energy system control and interoperability for Vortex’s iBMS

Dushyant Puri, Rishabh Bhatia, Sabiha Begum Mohamad Ghouse, SMART Centre

Conestoga’s SMART Centre partnered with Vortex, a fibre network and battery energy storage systems designer, to upgrade its intelligent battery management system (iBMS) with new automation features and improved compatibility for real-world deployment. The project focused on streamlining energy system operations through automated charger control, a cost-aware charging scheduler, energy storage optimization tools, and enhanced data-sharing capabilities with external systems. 

Through collaborative development and testing, the team delivered a working prototype that integrates seamlessly with energy management platforms, supports secure third-party access, and provides clear operational insights through a simplified dashboard. A full package of documentation, training, and verification testing ensures that Vortex can maintain and expand the system post-project. 

Looking ahead, the project sets the stage for next-phase development that will incorporate AI-driven recommendations to further improve efficiency and decision-making. These enhancements will help position Vortex to scale its platform while supporting broader goals in energy sustainability and intelligent infrastructure. 

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).