Model Predictive Control for Energy Management in Electric Hybrid Vehicles

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Department Name: Engineering Science

Abstract

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509711/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2021
1793329 Studentship EP/N509711/1 30/09/2016 30/07/2020 Sebastian East
 
Description A key issue with implementing model predictive control for energy management in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is that a challenging optimization problem must be performed by the engine controller recursively throughout the journey. Previously, no optimization algorithm had been demonstrated that could solve this type of problem given the hardware and time constraints available, and the research in the literature had only implemented general purpose optimization software. My research has investigated algorithms that are specifically tailored to the structure of the problem, and I have developed two algorithms that have been published in high impact engineering journals and conferences (I have a further two under consideration). These algorithms have shown that the problem can be solved to a sufficient degree of accuracy in real time, and are a significant development towards the realisation of MPC as a real-time energy management control solution.

The aformetnioned algorithms have been further extended to consider engine switching decisions, and to energy management problems in batter/supercapacitor electric vehicles. In the latter case, the energy management problem minimizes battery usage, thereby extending the life-cycle of the vahicles battery and redicing it's cost.
Exploitation Route The next major step is to take the work that I have completed and implement it in an actual vehicle so that real-world performance can be demonstrated; currently, the algorithms have only been demonstrated through simulation. The algorithms do, however, also provide a benefit in a simulation environment, where because they are designed for the mathematical structure of the problem, they are faster than general purpose optimization software.
Sectors Energy

Transport