Analysis of detailed electric vehicle data in electrical engineering education
There is a large quantity of data available on the CAN bus of the Chevrolet Volt that can be obtained through the OBD2 connectors on both the passenger and driver side of the vehicle. Although much of this is not available on the console of the vehicle to passengers, it can be logged and collected to analyse various vehicle performance measures and behaviours as well as charging characteristics. A set of pertinent data has been collected simultaneously for approximately 40 vehicle parameters for numerous trips and charging events for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Some of the key parameters are battery voltage, battery current, motor currents, state of charge, engine rpm, vehicle speed, longitude, latitude, altitude, battery power, motor power, etc. This data has been used as a learning tool in the electrical engineering classroom for senior students in both advanced machine courses and in sustainable energy courses. Through analysis the students develop a better understanding of general electric vehicle operation principles and energy useage and management. They also develop problem solving skills and experience with analysing large data sets (certain trips have over 15 million data points) and using appropriate tools to perform large but repetitive tasks.
Engineering And Technology Education For Electric Vehicle Development
During 2011 electric vehicles will be mass produced for the first time in history. Current engineering students will play key roles in the development of the Smart Grid and electric vehicles. Unfortunately many of these same students already fail to see a link between what they are currently learning in the classroom and their role as a professional engineer. The energy engineering community needs to determine topics and instructional techniques that will help students connect their classroom experiences with the future opportunities they will encounter in the unfolding development of the electric vehicle and its supporting infrastructure. This paper reviews electric vehicle development as well as examples of previous learning experiences and Economic Stimulus funded initiatives for electric vehicle course and curriculum development. The paper also provides an overview of the electric vehicle drive train and corresponding engineering roles and skills, and reviews recent employment descriptions of what industry expects. Prospective curriculum items are discussed including identifying major topical areas for electric vehicle courses and a specific topical outline for an introductory electric vehicle course. Finally, the paper forecasts the need for resources including facilities, laboratory equipment and faculty development in this area.
Theoretical Prediction of Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption and Battery State-of-Charge during Arbitrary Driving Cycles
The actual performance of an electric vehicle depends on the capability olthe batte­ ry to meet the power requirements of the drive train_ In order to predict the vehicle operating range an accurate battery model is required. The behaviour of a battery depends on its state of charge. In the definition of the state of charge the characte­ ristic relationship between available capacity and current must be accounted for. A voltage-current relationship is derived based on the polarization behaviour of a Teall lici<fbattery~ ThIS eqUlillon expresses lffij battery voltages as a functIon OfCilr­ . rent and state of charge. The theoretical equation is verified with data experimentally established at a 6 V battery. A program is written that calculates the cumulative charge reduction during driving cycle operation. This gives the state of charge as the driving cycle proceeds. By combining this with the relationship between volta­ ge, current and state of charge, the battery voltage during the total driving cycle can be determined. Battery voltage and energy are thus calculated for several types of driving cycles. These results will be compared with experimental data at a 6 V battery.