Design of an energy management scheme for a series-hybrid powertrain in heavy-duty vehicle applications

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic and efficient design method for an energy management scheme of a series–hybrid powertrain. Different fuel–cell powertrain topologies are briefly introduced and their advantages as well as disadvantages discussed in perspective of heavy–duty vehicle applications. Plant models and energy management algorithms for a modern powertrain sizing approach are described with mathematical descriptions and aid of an energetic macroscopic representation, because of a need for detailed alternative powertrain design descriptions to educate new engineers to electrify vehicle systems in upcoming decades. Therefore, the paper illustrates a design space of the powertrain with a fuel–cell system buffered by passive battery and active ultracapacitor packs. Furthermore, a time–domain simulation and input parameter sensitivity analysis of the energy management scheme is presented, specifically - for interest of practising powertrain engineers aiming for series–hybrid powertrain adoption in demanding applications.