Laboratory Bench to Test ZEBRA Battery Plus Super-Capacitor Based Propulsion Systems for Urban Electric Transportation

Abstract In this paper a laboratory 1:1 scale test bench to perform experimental analysis on a Zebra battery plus super-capacitor based propulsion systems for electric urban transportation means is presented. The analyzed case study is focused on a 70 kW electric drive, specifically manufactured for electric urban road applications, supplied by a parallel of two 550 V - 38 Ah Zebra batteries and a 63 F super-capacitors bank. The electric power train is connected, through a fixed ratio gear box, to a 100 kW regenerative electric brake provided with speed and torque controls, in order to evaluate the propulsion system performance in steady state and dynamic operative conditions. The two different storage systems can be tested when working together and providing the required power to the electric drive, with different contributions by each storage device in terms of electric energy and power. In addition, different control strategies can be experimentally evaluated, depending on the tested driving cycle and with reference to a specific vehicle under study. For the above configuration, an evaluation of the real vehicle performance, in various operative road conditions, can find a validation through this laboratory dynamic test bench. Finally, this experimental procedure to characterize and study electric power trains supplied by different kinds of storage systems highlights the real potentialities for manufacturers of electric vehicle in taking advantage of laboratory experimentations on the electric power-train, in order to support their design processes. The content of this paper represents a knowledge base to carry out experimental results, which are object of following studies

Integration between Super-capacitors and ZEBRA Batteries as High Performance Hybrid Storage System for Electric Vehicles

Abstract This paper presents experimental evaluations on the performance of a hybrid energy storage system to supply urban electric vehicles. The paper starts with a description of nickel chloride batteries and electric double layer capacitors with details on their related advantages. Then, a laboratory test bench is presented to experimentally evaluate the performance of the realized hybrid storage system, obtained through a controlled DC/DC bidirectional power converter, supplying an electric power-train in real operative conditions on standard driving cycles. The main results of this study shows the importance of using that power converter to take advantage of the power characteristics of the super-capacitor and to easily implement on board energy management strategies to increase the whole vehicle performance

Design of a Hybrid Propulsion Architecture for Midsize Boats

Abstract This paper presents preliminary evaluations on the design of hybrid propulsion architectures related to midsize boats. The analysis is carried out for the case study of a retrofit operation proposed for an oceanographic ship, which is used by the researchers of the National Research Council of Italy for experimental campaigns in the Mediterranean Sea. Starting from the information obtained on the existing architecture by means of various on-board inspections, an experimental set-up is proposed for the monitoring and acquisition of the main electrical and mechanical parameters of the ship, during her navigation campaigns. Different possible hybrid configurations are also proposed, identifying the main advantages and drawbacks of each configuration for the considered application. The proposed set-up allows obtaining experimental information, about the behaviour of the ship in a large variety of operative conditions, which will be useful to support the choice of a proper hybrid propulsion architecture and the optimal design of components

optimal control strategy of ultra capacitors in hybrid energy storage system for electric vehicles

Abstract This paper describes a novel Energy Management Strategy (EMS) for hybrid energy storage systems, when used to supply urban electric vehicles. A preliminary off-line procedure, based on nonlinear programming, is performed in order to optimize the battery current profile for fixed working cycles. Hence, a suitable control strategy, which is based on a constrained minimization problem, is tailored for real-time applications. This control strategy exploits the off-line solution of a proper isoperimetric problem and aims to dynamically optimize the battery durability by reducing peak charging/discharging current values. The main advantage of the analysed EMS consists in the easy on-board implementation through the use of one single parameter, which can be quickly identified through a simple off-line numerical procedure. The proposed strategy is evaluated in simulation environment, through the use of a Matlab-Simulink model, for the case study of an urban electric vehicle running on a ECE 15 driving cycles. Simulation results have confirmed the good performance of the above strategy in reducing the battery peak charging/discharging current through the proper management of the hybrid energy storage system

DC Charging Station for Electric and Plug-in Vehicles

AbstractThis paper is focused on the evaluation of theoretical and experimental aspects related to the different operation modes of a laboratory power architecture, which realizes a micro grid for the charging of road electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The analyzed power configuration is based on a DC bus architecture, which presents the main advantage of an easy integration of renewable energy sources and buffered storage systems. A first phase of simulations is aimed to evaluate the main energy fluxes within the studied architecture and to identify the energy management strategies, which optimize simultaneously the power requirements from the main grid and charging times of different electric vehicles. A second phase is based on the experimental characterization of the analyzed power architecture, implementing the control strategies evaluated in the simulation environment, through a laboratory acquisition and control system. Then the experimental results coming from the laboratory prototype are compared with the simulation results, in order to achieve a better parameter setting of the simulation model for the analyzed structure. This preliminary analysis makes possible other simulations to be carried out on more complex architecture of micro-grids, taking into account the integration of renewable energy sources and high power buffer storage systems. Particular attention is also given to the analysis of ultra-fast charging operations and the related performance in terms of total efficiency, charging times, total power factor and power requirements from the main grid. This study represents a further step toward the new concept of smart grid scenario for electric vehicles

Experimental Analysis of a Zebra Battery Based Propulsion System for Urban Bus under Dynamic Conditions

Abstract In this paper preliminary results on a Zebra battery based propulsion system for urban bus applications are presented. The analysis is carried out with the support of a laboratory 1:1 scale test bench, focusing the attention on a 65 kW electric drive, specifically designed for urban bus applications, supplied by two 20 kWh Zebra batteries working in parallel. The electric power train is connected, through a fixed ratio gear box, to a 100 kW regenerative electric brake provided with speed and torque controls, in order to evaluate the propulsion system performance in steady state and dynamic operative conditions. On the base of the architecture of a urban bus, powered by the same electric propulsion system studied in laboratory, a Matlab-Simulink model has been carried out to assess the dynamic behavior of the full electric urban bus and also other possible hybrid configurations, working on standard and real driving cycles, taking into account the resistant forces represented by proper vehicle/road/aerodynamic parameters. For the above configurations an evaluation of the expected real vehicle performance, in different operative road conditions, can be validated through the laboratory dynamic test bench

Charging Architectures Integrated with Distributed Energy Resources for Sustainable Mobility

Abstract This paper introduces a study on the charging infrastructures, integrated with distributed energy sources, showing their ability to support the electric and hybrid mobility in a smart grid scenario. This analysis starts from a description of the main AC and DC architecture and then goes through the advantages derived by the integration of renewable energy sources within the existing electric power network. A section of this paper is then dedicated to the main technologies of energy storage systems, which allow and support the integration of unpredictable energy sources into the grid. Finally, the power on-board and off-board vehicle charging devices are analyzed with specific focus on PWM control schemes, for the regulation of AC/DC and DC/DC power converters, and on grid operations (V2G) related to different aggregation schemes

Internet of Energy Training through Remote Laboratory Demonstrator

In this paper, a new learning tool is proposed to train professional figures, such as entrepreneurs, engineers, and technicians, who need to improve their skills in the field of Internet of Energy. The proposed tool aims to cover the lack of experimental knowledge on new energy systems and to layer proper skills, which are useful to deal with challenges required by smart energy management in the new complex distributed configuration of the electric power systems, characterized by demand response services. This tool is based on a small-scale laboratory demonstrator, representative of a smart rural house, equipped with a measurement and control system. This demonstrator can be remotely accessed, through web server applications based on a low cost single-board computer. Trainers can have direct experience on the main concepts related to smart grids, renewable energy sources, electrochemical storage systems, and electric vehicles, through the use of the proposed tool managed by the web software interface. Document type: Articl

PLACIS: a general project-based learning framework illustrated with a concrete example

PLACIS (PLAteforme Collaborative d'Ingénierie Systèmes) est un projet financé par l'Agence Nationale de la Recherche dans le cadre des Investissements d'Avenir. PLACIS a débuté en septembre 2012 et est piloté par l'Institut Polytechnique Grand Paris (IPGP, constitué de : ISMEP ? Supméca, ENSEA et EISTI). Ce projet de grande ampleur promeut un apprentissage et un enseignement actifs à travers des projets collaboratifs, industriels et internationaux, réalisés à distance par des étudiants ingénieurs. Depuis son commencement, PLACIS a gagné en maturité non seulement avec de nouveaux étudiants et projets, mais aussi via le développement de nouveaux outils comme une future plateforme d'apprentissage : un environnement d'apprentissage web 3.0 distribué, adaptable, collaboratif, sémantique et social, et la mise en place d'une boite à outils pour les enseignants afin d'évaluer compétences et connaissances en apprentissage par projet, dans le cadre d'un projet Erasmus+ mené en parallèle (EPICES : European Platform for Innovation and Collaboration between Engineer Students). L'objectif est de développer ou créer l'implication des enseignants et des étudiants dans de nouvelles pratiques d'enseignement (apprentissage par projet, apprentissage par problème, petits cours privés en ligne) nécessaires à la mise en place d'une alternative à la configuration traditionnelle cours / travaux dirigés / travaux pratiques. Tous ces aspects nous permettent de voir les premiers résultats de ce qui est le but principal du projet : entrainer les étudiants non seulement à devenir des ingénieurs classiques, mais aussi à être capable de comprendre des problématiques multidisciplinaires et industrielles, à travailler en équipes, avec des personnes de différentes cultures et, plus généralement, à être acteurs de leurs cursus et à se mouvoir aisément dans le monde industriel d'aujourd'hui et de demain. Nous pouvons facilement nous appuyer sur l'exemple du projet industriel mis en place depuis le démarrage de PLACIS en septembre 2012 et toujours en cours entre l'Institut des Moteurs ? CNR (IM-CNR), l'Université Federico II de Naples (UNINA) et l'Institut Polytechnique Grand Paris (IPGP).PLACIS (Collaborative Platform for Systems Engineering) is a project funded by the French National Agency for Research under “Investments for the future” program. PLACIS started in September 2012 and is run by Institut Polytechnique Grand Paris (IPGP, gathering ISMEP – Supméca, ENSEA and EISTI). This large-scale project promotes active learning and teaching through industrial, international and at-a-distance collaborative projects, carried out by engineer students. Since its beginning, PLACIS has gained in maturity not only with new students’ projects and new partners, but also with the development of new tools like a future learning platform: an adaptive, collaborative, semantic and social web 3.0 distributed learning environment, and an implementation of a toolbox for teachers to assess skills and knowledge in project-based learning with an Erasmus+ project in parallel (EPICES: European Platform for Innovation and Collaboration between Engineer Students). The objective is to develop or create the involvement of teachers and students into new teaching practices (project-based learning, problem-based learning, small private online courses) necessary for the implementation of an alternative to the traditional configuration courses / supervised work / practical classes. All these aspects enable us to see the first achievements of what is the main goal of the project: to train students not only to become classic engineers, but also to be able to understand multidisciplinary and industrial issues, to work in teams, with people from different cultures and, more generally, to be actors of their curricula and to move easily in today’s and tomorrow’s industrial world. We can easily rely on the example of an industrial project especially set up from the beginning of PLACIS in September 2012 and which is still in progress between Istituto Motori – CNR (IM-CNR), Università di Napoli Federico II (UNINA) and Institut Polytechnique Grand Paris (IPGP)

Experimental Analysis of a Zebra Battery Based Propulsion System for Urban Bus under Dynamic Conditions

AbstractIn this paper preliminary results on a Zebra battery based propulsion system for urban bus applications are presented. The analysis is carried out with the support of a laboratory 1:1 scale test bench, focusing the attention on a 65kW electric drive, specifically designed for urban bus applications, supplied by two 20kWh Zebra batteries working in parallel. The electric power train is connected, through a fixed ratio gear box, to a 100kW regenerative electric brake provided with speed and torque controls, in order to evaluate the propulsion system performance in steady state and dynamic operative conditions. On the base of the architecture of a urban bus, powered by the same electric propulsion system studied in laboratory, a Matlab-Simulink model has been carried out to assess the dynamic behavior of the full electric urban bus and also other possible hybrid configurations, working on standard and real driving cycles, taking into account the resistant forces represented by proper vehicle/road/aerodynamic parameters. For the above configurations an evaluation of the expected real vehicle performance, in different operative road conditions, can be validated through the laboratory dynamic test bench