Advanced search

The design and optimisation of a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance (PMaSynR) traction machine is described to improve its energy efficiency over a selection of driving cycles, when installed on a four-wheel-drive electrically powered vehicle for urban use, with two on-board powertrains. The driving cycle-based optimisation is defined with the objective of minimising motor energy loss under strict size constraints, while maintaining the peak torque and restricting the torque ripple. The key design parameters that exert the most significant influence on the selected performance indicators are identified through a parametric sensitivity analysis. The optimisation brings a motor design that is characterised by an energy loss reduction of 8.2% over the WLTP Class 2 driving cycle and 11.7% over the NEDC and Artemis Urban driving cycles, at the price of a 4.7% peak torque reduction with respect to the baseline machine. Additional analysis, implemented outside the optimisation framework, revealed that different coil turn adjustments would reduce the energy loss along the considered driving cycles. However, under realistic size constraints, the optimal design solutions are the same.

This paper presents a novel Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) infrastructure designed to optimize energy flow between electric vehicles and the electrical grid. The system is equipped with a bidirectional converter and a three-phase inverter/rectifier, minimizing the number of switches to reduce weight and size. A model predictive control (MPC) scheme is introduced to regulate the converter's operation and maintain grid stability, while also functioning as an active power filter when idle. Simulation results using MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate the system's efficiency, verifying its ability to manage energy transfer and mitigate harmonic distortion effectively.

In this paper an electro-mechanical levelling system based on wide band-gap power electronics is proposed. The system is currently under development. Therefore, this document aims at introducing the reasons behind the choice of an electro-mechanical actuator operating at high voltage. High-level simulation models for the different parts have been developed to study the system response and to guide the design and the optimization of the various components. Preliminary results extracted from the simulating model are also provided.

Poster prsented at the 13th IEEE International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPEi 2024). 17-19 October 2024, Iaşi, Romania. 

This poster outlines a design methodology for axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines (AFPMs) aimed at electric vehicle applications. A simplified analytical model for electromagnetic design is proposed, also the design choices related to machine topology: stator, and rotor structures. Three rotor configurations: SPM, flux-concentrating IPM, and V-shaped IPM are compared based on peak and continuous performance, magnetic attraction forces, and demagnetization risk. The findings provide insights into optimizing AFPM design for electric drivetrains.

This article explores the optimal or near-optimal design configuration of a three-level neutral-point-clamped traction inverter for electric vehicles based on switching-cell array devices. From the definition of a suitable design optimization problem taking into account efficiency, reliability, and simplicity, the optimal solution for the leg configuration and operation is obtained under different scenarios and operating conditions. It is concluded that, in each case, the main operating conditions may decisively influence the selected design.

The report outlines the design, manufacturing, and validation process for the VOLTCAR electric traction motor. It details the motor's specifications, including a high specific power of 7 kW/kg and a power density of over 23 kW/l, with a rated power of 120 kW. The motor is designed for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, aiming to minimize or eliminate the use of rare earth materials.

Circular Design methodology is essential for sustainable industrial practices. This study provides a methodology with a Python-based computational tool that optimizes industrial products’ disassembly sequences, focusing on Design for End of Life (DfEoL) and Design for Disassembly (DfD) to promote Circular Design. The tool creates disassembly precedence graphs and shows the best disassembly path for target components, facilitating material recovery and environmental sustainability. The tool was applied to a case study on an Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) electric motor. The approach provides a flexible and open access solution for optimizing product design within a Circular Design framework.

This study presents a smart EV charging infrastructure framework composed of a green power generation network, an energy storage network, and a charging network. The digital twin, as an enabling technology, is applied to realise essential smart features for the EV charging infrastructure, including cognisant, adaptive, taskable, and ethical. Based on the proposed smart charging station framework, we systematically review the existing digital twin implementations in the smart charging infrastructure.

Developments of the digital twinning framework for electric drive design in the EU-funded project EM-TECH. 

Details about the distributed XIL testing methodology out of the research of the EU-funded project EM-TECH.