Thermal simulation and prediction of high-energy LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2//Si-C pouch battery during rapid discharging

•The thermal behavior of high specific energy NCA//Si-C pouch battery is predicted.•The temperature evolution of simulation and experiment is consistent in discharge.•The temperature errors between simulation and experiment for different rates are <1 °C.•The thermal simulation provides guidance to the thermal management.