A method for selecting between a first battery cell and a second battery cells includes sensing a total generated heat flow rate emitted by the first battery cell and the second battery cells. The method further includes recording, for the first and second battery cells, first and second sets of heat flow rate data related to the total generated heat flow rate emitted by the first and second battery cells, respectively, over their first charge. The method further includes comparing the first set of heat flow rate data with the second set of heat flow rate data, and selecting one of the first or second battery cells according to the comparison between the first set of heat flow rate data with the second set of heat flow rate data.