Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
University of Waterloo
$78,111.00
Reducing carbon footprint of transportation: development of an optimal energy management system for solar idle reduction
FY 2016-17
Summary
This project aims to develop and commercialize a novel renewable energy technology, Solar Idling Reduction or SIR, to abate vehicle idling which results in significant economic, environmental, and health concerns. Directly utilizing solar energy and working effectively with other vehicle energy components, such as the engine, alternator, plug-in interface and invertors, SIR technology is superior to other idle reduction technologies, for instance diesel auxiliary power units, automatic engine shutdown, and truck stop electrification. More specifically, this project aims at developing and testing a critical component of SIR technology, namely the energy management system or EMS, which plays an essential role in creating a cost-effective SIR technology with optimal energy efficiency. EMS functions as a mini energy hub within the SIR technology. Its control scheme is a critical factor in determining the overall energy conversion efficiency of SIR, minimizing energy losses and improving cost-effectiveness and consumer acceptance. The outcome of this project is a predictive EMS with optimal performance for SIR applications through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations. To achieve the research goal, real-world experimental data for solar energy generation, energy storage system (ESS) operating voltage and current, and driving/load cycles from demonstrated service vehicles will be gathered and analyzed. Topology and component models for a generic solar-powered ESS will then be developed and investigated to suggest the best architecture and optimized component designs. The optimum EMS developed and tested during this project will create SIR technology that helps significantly reduce the carbon footprint and air pollution of service vehicles while improving their fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, the engine idling will be eliminated, allowing fleets to save fuel and be compliant with anti-idle laws. The successful development of SIR technology will bring about great economic and social benefits to Canada.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
490716-2015
Name nom
Wen, John
Department département
Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2015
Award amount
78111
Program id
CRDPJ
Program name en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
700
Area of application group en
Transportation systems and services
Area of application group fr
Services et systèmes de transport
Area of application en
Transportation systems and services
Area of application fr
Services et systèmes de transport
Research subject code
2108
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Aerospace, aeronautical and automotive engineering
Research subject fr
Génie aérospatial, aéronautique et automobile
Partie
1
Nb partie
2
Application title
Reducing carbon footprint of transportation: development of an optimal energy management system for solar idle reduction
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
This project aims to develop and commercialize a novel renewable energy technology, Solar Idling Reduction or SIR, to abate vehicle idling which results in significant economic, environmental, and health concerns. Directly utilizing solar energy and working effectively with other vehicle energy components, such as the engine, alternator, plug-in interface and invertors, SIR technology is superior to other idle reduction technologies, for instance diesel auxiliary power units, automatic engine shutdown, and truck stop electrification. More specifically, this project aims at developing and testing a critical component of SIR technology, namely the energy management system or EMS, which plays an essential role in creating a cost-effective SIR technology with optimal energy efficiency. EMS functions as a mini energy hub within the SIR technology. Its control scheme is a critical factor in determining the overall energy conversion efficiency of SIR, minimizing energy losses and improving cost-effectiveness and consumer acceptance. The outcome of this project is a predictive EMS with optimal performance for SIR applications through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations. To achieve the research goal, real-world experimental data for solar energy generation, energy storage system (ESS) operating voltage and current, and driving/load cycles from demonstrated service vehicles will be gathered and analyzed. Topology and component models for a generic solar-powered ESS will then be developed and investigated to suggest the best architecture and optimized component designs. The optimum EMS developed and tested during this project will create SIR technology that helps significantly reduce the carbon footprint and air pollution of service vehicles while improving their fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, the engine idling will be eliminated, allowing fleets to save fuel and be compliant with anti-idle laws. The successful development of SIR technology will bring about great economic and social benefits to Canada.
