Simulation of EV_default_in and gradeability test for PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in using ADVISOR tool
Objective
> Simulate EV_default_in file in ADVISOR tool with change in cargo mass 500kg with target range 45km
> Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file
ADVISOR
NREL’s ADvanced VehIcle SimulatOR, is a set of model, data, and script text files for use with Matlab and Simulink. It is designed for rapid analysis of the performance and fuel economy of conventional, electric, and hybrid vehicles. ADVISOR also provides a backbone for the detailed simulation and analysis of user defined drivetrain components, a starting point of verified vehicle data and algorithms from which to take full advantage of the modeling flexibility of Simulink and analytic power of MATLAB.
To simulate EV_default_in file in ADVISOR tool
To simulate the EV_defaults_in file with cargo mass as 500 kg and with all other default conditions, to check wether the vehicle can travel for 45 kms with FTP drive cycle.
At first the advisor tool opened using the command window in matlab. The standard unit can be selected from the advisor window.
Then the EV_defaults_in file is loaded in the vehicle input window of the advisor tool. The cargo mass of the vehicle is changed to 500kg as show in the below image
After defining the vehicle input window the simulation parameters window is opened by clicking the continue button on the bottom right corner
In the simulation parameters window the default drive cycle UDDS is changed to FTP cycle which can simulate a vehicle for 17.77 kms. Since we need to simulate our vehicle atleast for 45kms, the number of cycle is increased to 3 which, in turn insreases the simulation distance to 53.3kms. The simulation parameters window after the changes is show below.
The results of the simulation is given below
From seeing the result of the simulation it is concluded that, the vehicle cannot cover the distance of the simulation. With the standard battery capacity and cargo as 500kg, the vehicle can cover 41.4kms before the state of charge becomes zero. It is also seen that the warning table shows that 'Required distance exceedes EV range'.
To make the vehicle run for an extended range, the battery capacity is increased in the vehicle input window as show below.
With the simulation parameters as the same the vehicle is simulated. The results of the simulation is show below.
From the results we can see that the state of charge is not fully depleted and the vehicle has run 53.3kms.
To perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file
The Prius_Jpn_defaults_in file is selected in the vehicle input window. All the parameters of the vehicle is kept as default.
In the simulation parameters window the drive cycle is set as UDDS with one cycle. The gradeablity test check box is checked for the grade test to be simulated.
Simulating the vehicle with 6% grade
The grade option is selected to open the grade test advanced options window by which the values of grade, speed, time and many other parameters can be modified. For the first simulation the grade is set to 6 percent, speed is set to 55mph and the time is set to 10 seconds. All systems of the vehicle is enabled during the grade test simulation.
The result of the first simulation with grade as 6%
It is seen that the vehicle has passed the grade test as it can achieve 6% gradeability at 88.5kmph.
Simulation of vehicle with 7% grade
In the grade option window the parameters are changed as 7% grade and the other parameters as the previous simulation.
The result of simulation with 7% grade
The vehicle has passed the simulation achieving 7% grade at 88.5kmph
Simulation of vehicle with 8% grade
In the grade option window the parameters are changed as 8% grade and the other parameters as the previous simulation.
The result of simulation with 8% grade
The vehicle has passed the simulation achieving 7% grade at 88.5kmph
Simulation of vehicle with 9% grade
In the grade option window the parameters are changed as 9% grade and the other parameters as the previous simulation.
The result of simulation with 9% grade
The result window shows that the vehicle has failed to achieve 9% grade at 88.5 kmph.
The time is increased from 10s to 20s in the grade test advanced options window, to give the vehicle some extra accleration time to reach the speed at 9% grade.
The result of the simulation with 9% grade and 20s time
The vehicle has passed the simulation with 9% grade at 88.5kmph with 20s.
Conclusion
The comparison of the grade test is tabulated below using excel
link of the excel file
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Uemet5-Xbgk1yvHWxyo8WKst7xcPFAxSdTYJAuaWqSI/edit?usp=sharing)
It is concluded that the gradeability of the vehicle with a standard speed can be increased upto the vehicles limit, with an increase in the accleration time. This requirment of accleration time is due to the hill climbing force opposing the vehicle. The hill climbing force increases with the increases of grade angle.