Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool

AIM:- 1) To observe the 'EV_defaults_in' model distance range that can travel with extra cargo.  

           2) To simulate the 'EV_defaults_in' model with an increase in battery capacity and to study the outputs.

           3) To perform gradeability test with 'PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in' model.

ADVISOR TOOL:-                      

                     The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have worked with industry partners to develop a sophisticated systems analysis tool that can answer crucial questions about specific component and vehicle designs. ADVISOR (Advanced Vehicle Simulator) is a model written in the widely used MATLAB/Simulink software environment. It can be used to simulate and analyze conventional, advanced, light and heavy vehicles, including hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. ADVISOR tests the effect of changes in vehicle components (such as motors, batteries, catalytic converters, climate control systems, and alternative fuels) or other modifications that might affect fuel economy, performance, or emissions. The user can alter simulation results by selecting vehicle component types, sizes, and parameters.                    

                    ADVISOR uses basic physics calculations and measured component performance to model conceptual vehicles. The user defines a vehicle using overall vehicle data and prescribes a speed-versus-time trace, along with road grade, that the vehicle must follow. ADVISOR then puts the vehicle through its paces, making sure it meets the cycle to the best of its ability. It calculates predicted torque, speed, voltage, current, and power passed from one component to another

                    ADVISOR is flexible enough to operate on most computer platforms in the commercially available MATLAB/Simulink graphical/ object-oriented program. The model is continuously updated with actual component test data by users and through university validation efforts. It is flexible enough to model specific components and vehicle configurations for the needs of most users.

                    In simple terms, ADVISOR is a Simulation Tool for Vehicle Evaluation and Testing. We can test the vehicle with Real-world data.

QUESTIONS:-

Q.1) 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.

                      EV_defaults_in model is a pure Electric Vehicle. So all the driving power is obtained from the battery supply.

Inputs:-

Model : EV_defaults_in

Drivetrain: Full Electric

Cargo Mass: 500 kg

           All other parameters are default.

                Next, the drive cycle will be changed from the default UDDS cycle one to the FTP cycle. Here, in the below figure,  the drive cycle & the number of cycles can be changed at the above-right corner. The default cycle is changed to the FTP drive cycle & the number of drive cycles is 1. Therefore;

Input Drive Cycle: CYC_FTP

Case 1:- Number of drive cycle = 1

                       Here, the green color graph is of the drive cycle. In this case, it is an FTP drive cycle. All other parameters are mentioned in the yellow box.

Result:-

                         We can observe from the result that we can cover only 17.8 km distance by using 40% soc.

Case 2:- Number of cycles = 2

Result:-

                          We can observe from the result that we can travel only 35.5 km distance with 2 drive cycles by using 80% soc.

Case 3:- Number of drive cycles = 3

Result:-

                         We can conclude from the above result that we can only travel a maximum of 41.4 km distance within 3 drive cycles by using 100% soc. We get a warning message that the required distance is exceeded the EV range.

                         Here, we can observe that battery is completely drained already before completing the 3rd drive cycle. This means the vehicle does not even complete 3 drive cycles as the vehicle does not have a sufficient State of Charge (SOC). So we can say the vehicle does not reach the 45 km distance with the FTP drive cycle even if we increased the number of drive cycles further cause, in practice, the battery is drained thoroughly.

Q.2) In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.

                        To change the capacity, we will try to increase the number of modules in the battery. Initially, the number of modules are 25. In the below figure, the number of modules are change to 26 which is highlighted in the red color box. We will run this model with the FTP drive cycle having 3 number of consecutive cycles. Therefore;

Inputs:-

Drive Cycle = FTP

Number of Drive cycles = 3

Case 1:-

Number of modules in battery = 26 

Total battery voltage = 321 V

Result:-                

                          In the above result, the car still can achieve only 42.7 km with 100% discharge and not completed the whole drive cycle also.

Case 2:-

Number of modules in battery = 27 

Total battery voltage = 333 V

Result:-

                        In the above result, the car still stuck at 44.8 km distance by using 100% SOC. Here also, it does not achieve the distance as well as not finished the total number of drive cycles.

Case 3:-

Number of modules in battery = 28 

Total battery voltage = 345 V

Result:-

                          From the above result, we can observe the car has reached  46.3 km distance with 100% battery capacity means it has covered 45 km distance range. Though it could reach a total distance of 45 km according to our convenience, the car has used 100% SOC and even does not completed a total of 3 drive cycles as the battery is drained before finishing the total number of drive cycles. 

                         Therefore, from the above observation, we can conclude that the car requires a minimum of 28 modules in the battery pack with a total of 345 V to attain a distance of 45 km by using electric energy alone.

                         Further to complete the total 3 drive cycle we can also increase the number of modules as our required.

Q.3) Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. Compare your results in the table and conclude.

                       Below is the figure of the PRIUS_JPN model. We will keep all the parameters in the default state. Only Speed will be changed to perform gradeability test.

                         For testing the gradeability, we will change the speed of the vehicle and we will get the gradeability in percentage means ultimately we will get to know that at what speed the car overcome the particular inclination.

                         In the below figure, the parameters for gradeability test can be changed by Grade Options. Before that check the Gradability Test box by clicking on it.

                         We will perform the test for the default drive cycle which is the CYC_UDDS drive cycle keeping the number of cycles = 1 for 10 seconds. Therefore;

Inputs:- 

Drive Cycle: CYC_UDDS

No. of Cycles: 1

Duration: 10 sec

                          By clicking on the Grade Options icon, the below window opens for input parameters. Here, we will change the speed of the vehicle only. To start the test we will keep a speed of 10 mph which is nearly 16.1 km/h. Further, you can change the speed from this window to perform different tests.

Results:-

Case1:- For Speed = 10 mph

                         In the above figure, you can see the last line in the yellow box, the gradeability at 10mph i.e. at 16.1 km/h is 30.3%. Further, all results can be seen from this yellow box.

Case 2:- For Speed = 20 mph

Case 3:- For Speed = 30 mph

Case 4:- For Speed = 40 mph

.

Case 5:- For Speed = 50 mph

Case 6:- For Speed = 60 mph

Table of comparison:-

                             We can observe the different gradeability percentages at different speeds of the vehicle. The test result is for the CYC_UDDS drive cycle taking only 1 number drive cycle for 10 sec.

                             We use the gradeability term for inclination, For ex; at hill climbing situation. In simple words, Gradeability is the angle that can vehicle overcome while climbing. It is given in percentage OR in angle. A 100% gradeability means a 45-degree angle. For Ex; If the vehicle has 100% gradeability then it can climb at the inclination of 45-degrees at a particular speed. Comparing with this, one can calculate the different angles for different speeds.                          

                             From the above table, we can conclude that if the gradeability is minimum the vehicle can achieve maximum speed. Cause gradeability is minimum means the angle inclination is minimum. And at the minimum angle, the vehicle can achieve more speed. For Ex; in the above case vehicle attain a maximum 96.6 km/h speed at 8.1% gradeability means it can achieve this considerable speed cause gradeability is low hence angle of inclination is low.

                             As gradeability increases, the angle of inclination increases which means the vehicle will be slow down as effort is increased on the vehicle to overcome the inclination.

CONCLUSION:-

                         Simulation for the model 'EV_defaults_in' to attain the 45 km distance with 500 kg cargo at default conditions is run successfully and concluded that it can not achieve that distance at electric power alone. The battery capacity is increased for the same model with the same conditions and found out the minimum requirement of battery capacity to achieve the 45 km distance.  

                        Also, gradeability test is performed on the 'PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in' model successfully. From the test, we can conclude that the speed is low at high gradeability and vise versa.