Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool

Aim: To use the ADVISOR tool and simulate the following:

1. To calculate if the vehicle can travel for 45 km with an FTP drive cycle for the EV_defaults_in file when the cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions.

2. To change the battery capacity and repeat the simulation in the above case.

3. To perform a gradeability test with the PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file and compare the results in a table.

Solution 1:

Procedure:  

1. Firstly we open the MATLAB software and change its path to the folder where the advisor tool is located.
2. The advisor.m file is opened and the ADVISOR tool is then run by typing ‘advisor’ in the command window.
3. Once the ADVISOR tool window opens up we change the vehicle type to EV_defaults_in as mentioned in the question.
4. Keeping all the other parameters the same, the cargo weight is changed to 500 kg.
5. Lastly, we change the drive cycle to CYC_FTP and run the given input.

Output:

Changing the cargo mass to 500 kg and selecting EV_defaults_in

Changing the drive cycle to CYC_FTP and No. of cycles = 1

Cycle 2: 

Cycle 3:

Solution 2:

Procedure:

1. All the parameters are kept constant as the previous question and a change is made in the number of battery modules (Battery capacity) to view its effect on the distance traveled.

Output: The initial parameters are kept the same and the Number of Modules is changed to 30

Number of Modules = 10

Number of Modules = 20

Solution 3:

Procedure:

1. The ‘PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in’ file is opened and all the parameters are kept as default.
2. The gradeability test is performed by changing the values of Speed to 40, 55, and 60 mph under the Grade options in the Gradeability Test option.

Output: All parameters are kept as default.

The Gradeability Test option is enabled:

Gradeability at 55 mph:

Gradeability at 60 mph:

Gradeability at 40 mph:

Table:

Speed (mph)	Gradeability (%)
40	2.5
55	1.7
60	1.5

Conclusion: 

1. As the cargo mass is 500 kg, the Distance changes from 17.8 to 35.5 to 41.4 kms for Cycles 1, 2, and 3 respectively.
2. When the Number of Modules of the Battery is changed from 10, 20, and 30, the Distance changes to 9.8, 12, and 49.1 kms accordingly. 
3. The Gradeability for the PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file decreases from 2.5 % to 1.5 % as the speed increases from 40 mph to 60 mph.

References: Advisor Tool