Methodology for Fuel Saving Optimization of a Serial Hybrid Electric Vehicle using Gas Turbine as Energy Converter

Abstract

International audienceSignificant research efforts have been invested in the automotive industry on hybrid-electrified powertrains inorder to reduce the passenger cars’ dependence on oil. Powertrains electrification resulted in a wide rangeof hybrid vehicle architectures. Fuel consumption of these powertrains strongly relies on the energyconverter performance, as well as on the energy management strategy deployed on-board. This paperinvestigates the potential of fuel consumption savings of a serial hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV) using a gasturbine (GT) as energy converter instead of the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). An exergotechnoexplicit analysis is conducted to identify the best GT-system configuration. An intercooledregenerative reheat cycle is prioritized, offering higher efficiency and power density compared to otherinvestigated GT-systems. A SHEV model is developed and powertrain components are sized consideringvehicle performance criteria. Energy consumption simulations are performed on WLTP cycle using dynamicprograming as global optimal energy management strategy. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out in orderto evaluate the effect of the battery size on the fuel consumption. Results show improved fuel consumptionwith GT as auxiliary power unit (APU) compared to ICE. Moreover, GT offers other intrinsic advantages suchas reduced mass, suitable vehicle integration as well as a multi-fuel use capability. Consequently, thestudied GT-APU presents a potential for implementation on SHEVs