E-transportation: the role of embedded systems in electric energy transfer from grid to vehicle

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising solution to reduce the transportation dependency on oil, as well as the environmental concerns. Realization of E-transportation relies on providing electrical energy to the EVs in an effective way. Energy storage system (ESS) technologies, including batteries and ultra-capacitors, have been significantly improved in terms of stored energy and power. Beside technology advancements, a battery management system is necessary to enhance safety, reliability and efficiency of the battery. Moreover, charging infrastructure is crucial to transfer electrical energy from the grid to the EV in an effective and reliable way. Every aspect of E-transportation is permeated by the presence of an intelligent hardware platform, which is embedded in the vehicle components, provided with the proper interfaces to address the communication, control and sensing needs. This embedded system controls the power electronics devices, negotiates with the partners in multi-agent scenarios, and performs fundamental tasks such as power flow control and battery management. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the open challenges in E-transportation and to show the fundamental role played by embedded systems. The conclusion is that transportation electrification cannot fully be realized without the inclusion of the recent advancements in embedded systems

Modeling a Hybrid Reformed Methanol Fuel Cell–Battery System for Telecom Backup Applications

In this paper, a hybrid reformed methanol fuel cell–battery system for telecom backup applications was modeled in MATLAB Simulink. The modeling was performed to optimize the operating strategy of the hybrid system using an energy management system with a focus on a longer lifetime and higher fuel efficiency for the fuel cell, while also keeping the state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery within a reasonable range. A 5 kW reformed methanol fuel cell stack and a 6.5 kWh Li-ion battery were considered for the hybrid model. Moreover, to account for the effects of degradation, the model evaluated the performance of the fuel cell both in the beginning of life (BOL) and after 1000 h and 250 start–stop cycling tests (EOT). The energy management system (EMS) was characterized by 12 operating conditions that used the battery SOC, load requirements and the presence or absence of grid power as the inputs to optimize the operating strategy for the system. Additionally, the integration of a 400 W photovoltaic (PV) system was investigated and was able to supplement the battery SOC, thereby increasing the stability and reliability of the system. However, extensive power outages during the night could lead to low battery SOC and, therefore, critical operating conditions and the extended use of the fuel cell. The model also predicted the methanol consumption for different scenarios

Management of hybrid battery storage system for naval applications

Electrification is a key technology to reduce maritime emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) wants to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from maritime transport by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. Electrification is one of the solutions to reach this target. In this master thesis a Hybrid Battery Storage System (HESS) is considered to supply a fully electric ship. In this system we used two batteries, High Energy (HE) and High Power (HP). HE battery will be able to store large amounts of energy and will be able to take care of primary cycles and maintain cruising speed. HP battery can quickly release higher amount of power which will take care of maneuvering by giving higher acceleration time or in braking events. To better utilize both battery systems, we developed a control strategy to interface the battery systems and power electronic converters. Simulation is done in MATLAB/Simulink to study the management strategy of this hybrid battery pack. Bidirectional converters are used in full-active HESS topology. Results are validated in simulation environment using realistic load curve profiles

Adoption of green fleets: An economic and environmental life cycle assessment of light duty electric vehicle fleets

This study assesses regional characteristics of fleet vehicles within New England calculating total cost of ownership (TCO) and greenhouse gas (GHG). Inventory for battery electric vehicles (BEV), extended mileage battery electric vehicles (BEV+), plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and internal combustion vehicles (ICV) light duty fleet vehicles is based on New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) fleet characteristics. This analysis was conducted using empirical data from the State of New Hampshire and University of New Hampshire fleets, ISO-New England (ISO-NE) grid data, and peer reviewed literature to capture the impacts of regional driving characteristics, energy grid, and climate. With 2019 gasoline and electricity prices, results show the HEV has the lowest lifetime TCO, $2,709.88 less than the second lowest vehicle. The PHEV is shown to cost$1,082.86 dollars less than the ICV while the BEVs total costs are $233.65 greater. All vehicle technologies show major reductions in fuel and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs compared to the ICV, specifically under the high mileage of State of New Hampshire fleet vehicles. The BEV shows the largest GHG abatement potential by emitting .17kg/mile CO2e, representing a 54% decrease below the ICV. This study indicates both PHEVs and BEVs are cost competitive with ICVs while providing substantial GHG emission abatement while the HEV is determined to have the lowest TCO amongst all vehicles along with 33% GHG abatement

The Potential of Low-Carbon Hydrogen in Norway : A Linear Programming Analysis of Hydrogen Supply Chains in the Norwegian Energy System Towards 2050

In this thesis, we conducted a linear programming analysis to assess the future potential for domestic production and consumption of low-carbon hydrogen in Norway. Our analysis is based on the Institute for Energy Technology’s long-term energy system model “IFE-TIMESNorway" (ITN), which is intended to describe the Norwegian energy system in its entirety. Our analysis in ITN has been performed according to the current-best estimates for the technoeconomic parameters of hydrogen technologies. The primary focus of our data work with the ITN model has been to expand its range of production technologies by adding steam methane reformation with carbon capture and storage, colloquially known as “blue hydrogen”. This allowed us to explore the potential of hydrogen in increased detail compared to prior analyses with ITN. In our analysis, we have analyzed production and consumption of low-carbon hydrogen, and how it flows through the energy system from a supply chain perspective. This has been analyzed through a variety of model runs intended to capture contrasting energy futures. The primary years of our analysis cover the interval 2030 to 2050. The main findings suggest that there is significant potential for low-carbon hydrogen in the Norwegian energy system towards 2050 in industry, road transport, and maritime transport. Our results indicate that the highest potential for hydrogen is as a feedstock in the metal- and chemical industry, for heavy-duty vehicles in road transport, and in the form of ammonia in maritime transport. The competitiveness of hydrogen is however highly dependent on carbon pricing as a higher CO2 tax is connected to increased volumes of hydrogen production and consumption. In addition, the availability of competing zero-emission alternatives is a significant factor for the potential of hydrogen. For current carbon pricing and its expected future increases, hydrogen is the cost-effective option for many end-use processes based on large- and/or small-scale production. However, carbon prices in excess of current and expected future values are associated with higher volumes and adoption across additional end-use processes. At large scales, steam methane reformation with carbon capture and storage is the dominant hydrogen production technology, but its position is challenged by Alkaline electrolysis if power prices are particularly low. At small scales, a combination of PEM electrolysis and alkaline electrolysis is generally preferred, but PEM is increasingly competitive across the model horizon. In addition, our results suggest that hydrogen may be distributed with trucks, but only for shorter distances within spot price regions.nhhma

Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Development Considering Power Source Degradation

Vehicle design and control is an attractive area of research in that it embodies a convergence of societal need, technical limitation, and emerging capability. Environmental, political, and monetary concerns are driving the automotive industry towards sustainable transportation, manifested as increasing powertrain electrification in a gradual transition to fossil-free energy vectors. From an electrochemical degradation and control systems perspective, this transition introduces significant technical uncertainty. Initial indications are that the initial battery designs will have twice the required capacity due to degradation concerns. As the battery is a major contributor to the cost of these vehicles the over-sizing represents a significant threat to the ability of OEMs to produce cost-competitive vehicles. This potential barrier is further amplified when the combustion engine is removed and battery-electric or fuel-cell hybrid vehicles are considered. This thesis researches the application of model-based design for optimal design of fuel cell hybrid powertrains considering power source degradation. The intent is to develop and evaluate tools that can determine the optimal sizing and control of the powertrain; reducing the amount of over-sizing by numerically optimization rather than a sub-optimal heuristic design. A baseline hybrid fuel cell vehicle model is developed and validated to a hybrid fuel cell SUV designed and built at the University of Waterloo. Lithium-ion battery degradation models are developed and validated to data captured off a hybrid powertrain test stand built as part of this research. A fuel cell degradation model is developed and integrated into the vehicle model. Lifetime performance is modeled for four hybrid control strategies, demonstrating a significant impact of the hybrid control strategy on powertrain degradation. A plug-in variation of the architecture is developed. The capacity degradation of the battery is found to be more significant than the power degradation. Blended and All-electric charge-depleting hybrid control strategies are integrated and lifetime performance is simulated. The blended charge-depleting control strategy demonstrated significantly less degradation than the all-electric strategy. An oversized battery is integrated into the vehicle model and the benefit of oversizing on reducing the battery degradation rate is demonstrated

Recent Advances of Wind-Solar Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Power Generation: A Review

A hybrid renewable energy source (HRES) consists of two or more renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, utilized together to provide increased system efficiency and improved stability in energy supply to a certain degree. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive review of wind-solar HRES from the perspectives of power architectures, mathematical modeling, power electronic converter topologies, and design optimization algorithms. Since the uncertainty of HRES can be reduced further by including an energy storage system, this paper presents several hybrid energy storage system coupling technologies, highlighting their major advantages and disadvantages. Various HRES power converters and control strategies from the state-of-the-art have been discussed. Different types of energy source combinations, modeling, power converter architectures, sizing, and optimization techniques used in the existing HRES are reviewed in this work, which intends to serve as a comprehensive reference for researchers, engineers, and policymakers in this field. This article also discusses the technical challenges associated with HRES as well as the scope of future advances and research on HRES