Journal of Power Sources 196 (2011) 3360–3370
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Journal of Power Sources
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpowsour
A numerical investigation on the efficiency of range extending systems using
Advanced Vehicle Simulator
Scott Varnhagen, Adam Same, Jesse Remillard, Jae Wan Park
∗
Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5294, United States
article info
Article history:
Received 6 August 2010
Received in revised form 22 October 2010
Accepted 26 October 2010
Available online 9 November 2010
Keywords:
ADVISOR
Electric vehicle
Range extender
Series hybrid electric vehicle
Rotary engine
Wankel engine
abstract
Series plug-in hybrid electric vehicles of varying engine configuration and battery capacity are modeled
using Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR). The performance of these vehicles is analyzed on the bases
of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on the tank-to-wheel and well-to-wheel paths.
Both city and highway driving conditions are considered during the simulation. When simulated on the
well-to-wheel path, it is shown that the range extender with a Wankel rotary engine consumes less energy
and emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to the other systems with reciprocating engines during
many driving cycles. The rotary engine has a higher power-to-weight ratio and lower noise, vibration
and harshness compared to conventional reciprocating engines, although performs less efficiently. The
benefits of a Wankel engine make it an attractive option for use as a range extender in a plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle.
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
1.1. Energy and transportation
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, combustion of
fossil fuels has been a primary source of energy for the industrial
world. Fossil fuels such as petroleum are a finite resource, and it is
predicted that the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) from burning
fossil fuels contributes to global warming [1] and can lead to health
complications in afflicted communities. The U.S. Energy Adminis-
tration estimates that almost 2/3 of total demand for petroleum is
from the transportation sector [2]. Assuming that daily production
holds steady at 63.5 million barrels, global oil reserves are conserva-
tively predicted to last approximately fifty years [3]. There is great
potential for the reduction of petroleum consumption by convert-
ing the current vehicle fleet from conventional vehicles powered by
reciprocating gasoline or diesel engines, to battery electric vehicles
which draw their energy from the electricity grid. Unfortunately,
the limited range of battery electric vehicle [4] suggests that the
needs of the average U.S. commuter will not be met without a sup-
plementary energy source. One solution is to couple the strengths of
the battery electric vehicle with the extended range of a petroleum
fueled vehicle in a hybrid drive train. This alternative to the sin-
gle fuel conventional vehicle is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
∗
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 530 752 5559; fax: +1 530 752 4158.
E-mail address: jwpark@ucdavis.edu (J.W. Park).
(PHEV). These vehicles may be primarily powered by grid electric-
ity, stored in an on-board battery system, with additional electricity
generated by an on-board fuel converter. This vehicle configura-
tion is termed the series PHEV, and the supplemental electricity
generation system is termed the range extender.
With a transformation of the vehicle fleet on the horizon, it is
important to intelligently select future vehicle technologies. This
study demonstrates the use of virtual simulations to predict the
effectiveness of different technologies for extending the range of
battery electric vehicles. Performance characteristics in all-electric
and range-extending modes are quantified on a well to wheel basis,
comparing energy consumption and GHG emissions. Numerical
simulation of energy consumption by various automotive range
extending technologies can aid to focus and accelerate experi-
mental research on energy storage and conversion for advanced
vehicles.
We compare the performance of the reciprocating (spark igni-
tion) engine to the Wankel (rotary) combustion engine when used
as a range extender for a series PHEV. The Wankel engine has
the advantage of a high power-to-weight ratio, more compact size
and packaging, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
compared to the reciprocating engine. These benefits come at the
expense of lower fuel economy.
1.2. Hybrid system simulation
Hybrid vehicle development carries with it all the traditional
challenges of automotive design, with added complexity from
0378-7753/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.10.086