Energy optimization of hybrid powertrain systems

HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) have gone through several design iterations throughout their development, amongst which: planetary gear-based architecture, dual clutch serial–parallel, continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and range extender. However, vehicle manufacturers need to innovate on existing architecture in order to improve HEV sales.

This area focuses on proposing control strategies for HEVs in a serial hybrid mode without the main battery (figure 7). In the serial hybrid mode, the internal combustion engine is coupled with an electrical generator to produce power used by a second electric motor to propel the vehicle. In the absence of the main battery, the powertrain has small energy buffer, making the system sensitive to small disturbance.

Figure 7: Serial HEV architecture