Multiobjective component sizing of a hybrid ethanol-electric vehicle propulsion system

Yinglong He, Chongming Wang, Quan Zhou, Ji Li, Michail Makridis, Huw Williams, Guoxiang Lu*, Hongming Xu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
150 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Concerns over energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are driving research investments into advanced propulsion technologies. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can provide a bridge that connects transport electrification to renewable bioenergy sources such as ethanol. However, it remains unclear how this pathway can simultaneously address economic, energy and environmental goals. To tackle this challenge, the present study explores, for the first time, the multiobjective optimal sizing of PHEVs powered by low-carbon sources of electricity and ethanol-gasoline blend. The empirical ethanol-gasoline blend model is incorporated into the PHEV simulation whose relevant parameters are validated using laboratory data from the European Commission – Joint Research Centre. We develop a full picture of the use-phase well-to-wheel (WTW) GHG emissions from ethanol, gasoline and grid electricity and their energy consumptions. Consequently, market-oriented PHEV sizing solutions are provided as per the power utility generation portfolio and automobile fuel properties of the target region. The results indicate that better performances of the PHEV, regarding GHG emissions and energy consumption, are associated with larger battery size and smaller engine displacement but result in a higher cost-to-power ratio. Specifically, for E25-fuelled PHEVs in markets with world average electricity carbon intensity, every 1.0 USD/kW increase in cost-to-power ratio leads to savings of 1.6 MJ energy consumption and 1.7 g CO2-eq/km WTW GHG emissions. Moreover, a clear benefit of using E25 in the hybrid propulsion system is identified, where the energy consumption and GHG emissions can be reduced by 5.9% and 12.3%, respectively.
Original languageEnglish
Article number114843
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Energy
Volume266
Early online date20 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work is based on the collaboration between the University of Birmingham and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The authors are grateful to Biagio Ciuffo, Georgios Fontaras, and Konstantinos Mattas of JRC for their advice and support. The authors acknowledge the support of the EPSRC funded project (New Control Methodology for the Next Generation of Engine Management Systems, EP/J00930X/1) and the Innovate UK funded project (Hybrid Electric Push-Back Tractor, 102253).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • ethanol-gasoline blends
  • low carbon propulsion
  • multiobjective optimization
  • plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
  • Multiobjective optimization
  • Ethanol-gasoline blends
  • Low carbon propulsion
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Energy(all)
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Building and Construction

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