Challenge

Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool

SSriram K Karunagaran28 May 2021

Aim: To use the ADVISOR tool for simulation.

Objective:

Using EV_defaults_in file, if cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions, To find whether the vehicle can travel for 45 km with FTP drive cycle? and To Conclude observations.
In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.
To Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. To compare results in the table and conclude.

Introduction

ADVISOR tool, developed in November 1994 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), allows users to simulate and analyze conventional, advanced, light, and heavy vehicles, including hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. The tool allows users to assess the effect of changes in vehicle components (such as motors, batteries, catalytic converters, climate control systems, and alternative fuels) and other modifications that might affect fuel economy, performance, or emissions.

It is a set of models, data, and script text files for use with Matlab and Simulink.

The benefit of using ADVISOR

Estimate the fuel economy of vehicles that have not yet been built
Learn about how conventional, hybrid or electric vehicles use (and lose) energy throughout their drivetrains
Compare relative tailpipe emissions produced on a number of cycles
Evaluate an energy management strategy for your hybrid vehicle’s fuel converter
Optimize the gear ratios in your transmission to minimize fuel use or maximize performance, etc.

How To start ADVISOR Tool

Launch MATLAB and first set default location folder to the advisor.
Now in the command window of MATLAB type “advisor” and press enter.
A new window will open and then set “metric” for unit and start ADVISOR.
It will launch in a new window.

Advisor tools have 3 windows:

Vehicle Input window
Simulation Parameter window
Results window

Q1. For EV_defaults_in file, if cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions, can the vehicle travel for 45 km with FTP drive cycle? Conclude your observations.

First, loading EV_defaults_in from the drop-down menu and changing Parallel_default_in to EV_defaults_in from Vehicle Input window.

Now changing the cargo mass to 500 kg
Change in the total mass of the vehicle can be seen.
Clicking on the continue button after that a new window simulation parameter will pop up.

In Simulation Parameter window change drive cycle to CYC_FTP by selecting the drop-down menu.
Below that we will see # of cycles from here we can set our drive cycle.

After pressing the RUN button, the simulation will start and it will show results in a new window.

The distance traveled by the vehicle in 1 drive cycle is 17.8km. Used almost 40% SOC.

Increasing no. of drive cycles to 2.

Result with 2 drive cycles.

The distance traveled by the vehicle in 2 drive cycles is 35.5km. Used almost 81% SOC.

Increasing no. of drive cycles to 3.

Result with 3 drive cycles.

The distance traveled by the vehicle in 2 drive cycles is 41.4km. Used completely 100% SOC.

No. of Drive cycles	Distance covered in kms
1	17.8
2	35.5
3	41.4

The minimum distance travel by car is 17.8 km with drive cycle CYC_FTP – 1 whereas the maximum distance travel by car is 41.4 which consumes 100% of battery in 3 Drive cycles.

Therefore EV_default cannot travel distance of 45 km due to insufficient SOC.

Q2. In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.

In-Vehicle Input window we will change the capacity of battery form energy storage which will be open in 1^st
“#of mod V nom” describes the battery capacity, so we will change the module number of batteries from the first box and we will see that changes in voltage and weight of the battery.

A new Simulation Parameter window will open, here we will change the drive cycle to 2 or 3, one at the time and run the simulation.
After completing of simulation, we will see the result window where we observe the change in distance of vehicle travel.
We can repeat this simulation by changing the battery module and the drive cycle.

i) Energy Storage System with 26 modules and 2 drive cycles

Result

ii) Energy Storage System with 27 modules and 2 drive cycles

Result

iii) Energy Storage System with 28 modules and 2 drive cycles

Result

iv) Energy Storage System with 26 modules and 3 drive cycles

Result

v) Energy Storage System with 27 modules and 3 drive cycles

Result

vi) Energy Storage System with 28 modules and 3 drive cycles

Result

Drive cycle - 2

Battery Mod

Voltage

Battery weight

321

35.5

286

333

35.5

297

345

35.5

308

Drive cycle - 3

Battery Mod

Voltage

Battery weight

321

42.7

286

333

44.8

297

345

46.3

308

Battery modules 28 and with 3 drive cycles, the distance traveled is 46.3km.

While changing the battery module in drive cycle 2 we get constant distance travel.
Changing the battery module in drive cycle 3 we get changes in distance travel by vehicle.
To cover 45km distance a 28 module 345-volt battery is required.

Q3. Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. Compare your results in the table and conclude.

In ADVISOR tool Vehicle Input window select PRIUS_Jpn_default model.

Continue to the next window.
Simulation Parameter window will open.
Select the gradeability test and click on the grade Option box, a new dialogue box will open.

In grade option box we can change speed or duration with respect to our simulation.
So, for this simulation, I change speed one time and duration another time.
Click on All system enabled.
Also, click on constant road grade.
Click Ok and run the simulation and a Result window will open showing different results depend upon input data.

Results for the duration - 10sec