A battery module for high voltage battery packs, preferably for use in vehicles, comprising a plurality of battery cells each comprising an electronic battery cell monitoring module attached to each of the battery cells, with the battery cell monitoring modules being connected to one another by a balancing bus comprising at least two electrical lines for transmitting data and electrical current, with the electronic battery cell monitoring modules being electrically connected to a positive terminal and to a negative terminal of the battery cell, with the electronic battery cell monitoring modules having a first electrical switch and a second electrical switch, with the electrical switches being configured to electrically connect the battery cells to a respective one of the two electrical lines of the balancing bus, with the battery module comprising an energy storage module for storing electrical energy, with the energy storage module being electrically connected to the two electrical lines of the balancing bus to take up or output energy over them, and with the electronic battery cell monitoring modules and the energy storage module being connected to one another by the balancing bus forming a cell balancing system.