Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool

AIM: ADVISOR tool simulation by using Matlab.

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 evaluated 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:

1. Vehicle Input window

2. Simulation Parameter window

3. Results window

ADVISOR open using command advisor in the command window:

After giving the command ADVISOR opened:

Question 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.

ANS:

First, loading EV_defaults_in from the drop-down menu and changing Parallel_default_in to EV_defaults_in from the 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 the Simulation Parameter window changes the 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%.

**Increasing no. of drive cycles to 2:

Result in 2 drive cycles:

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

**maximize the number 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%.

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 a distance of 45 km due to insufficient SOC.

Question 2): In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation?

ANS:

*In-Vehicle Input window we will change the capacity of battery from 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 the changes in voltage and weight of the battery.

• A new Simulation Parameter window will open, here we will change the drive cycle to 3, one at a 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.

1)Energy Storage System with 26 modules and 3 drive cycles:

Result:

* Energy Storage System with 27 modules and 3 drive cycles:

*Energy Storage System with 28 modules and 3 drive cycles:

Result:

Drive cycle - 3 Battery Mod Voltage km Battery weight
26	321	42.7	321
27	333	44.8	321
28	345	46.3	345

*In the battery module in drive cycle 3 we get changes in distance travel by vehicle.

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

*To cover 45km distance a 28 module 345-volt battery is required.

Question 3): Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file

Compare your results in a table and conclude?

ANS:

• 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 the 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

Speed - 20 miles/h or 32.2 kmph

Gradeability = 19.8%

when vehicle speed increases there is a decrease in gradeability.