Abstract
A vehicle model is used to evaluate a novel powertrain that is comprised of a dual energy storage system (Dual ESS). The system includes two battery packs with different chemistries and the necessary electronic controls to facilitate their coordination and optimization. Here, a lithium-ion battery pack is used as the primary pack and a Zinc-air battery as the secondary or range-extending pack. Zinc-air batteries are usually considered unsuitable for use in vehicles due to their poor cycle life, but the model demonstrates the feasibility of this technology with an appropriate control strategy, with limited cycling of the range extender pack. The battery pack sizes and the battery control strategy are configured to optimize range, cost and longevity. In simulation the vehicle performance compares favourably to a similar vehicle with a single energy storage system (Single ESS) powertrain, travelling up to 75 km further under test conditions. The simulation demonstrates that the Zinc-air battery pack need only cycle 100 times to enjoy a ten-year lifespan. The Zinc-air battery model is based on leading Zinc-air battery research from literature, with some assumptions regarding achievable improvements. Having such a model clarifies the performance requirements of Zinc-air cells and improves the research community's ability to set performance targets for Zinc-air cells.
Highlights
With global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rising and the harmful effects of anthropogenic climate change becoming more apparent, there is a need to reduce the use of CO2-emitting fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas
While a significant improvement in nickel-metal hydride batteries has been made, and they are used in a limited number of hybrid vehicles, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries dominate for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle applications (BEV)
The vehicle of interest is the Dual energy storage system (ESS) vehicle, which utilizes the Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) series powertrain configuration except that the engine is replaced with a Zinc-air battery and the generator is replaced with a power converter
Summary
With global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rising and the harmful effects of anthropogenic climate change becoming more apparent, there is a need to reduce the use of CO2-emitting fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The main technological barriers to EV market penetration are their limited driving range, long recharging times and high cost compared to conventional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) [5]. Goldstein and coworkers and Toussaint and coworkers estimate Zinc-air batteries to be significantly cheaper than lithium-ion batteries [6,7], because they are easier to manufacture and are made from more common and less costly materials; the low price of the commercially available rechargeable Zinc-air battery from Eos Energy Storage validates these estimates [8] They are safer due to Zinc’s lower reactivity compared to lithium, which allows the use of non-flammable electrolytes. The vehicle outperformed a regular battery electric vehicle (BEV) on range, cost and efficiency
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