Integration of optimal energy management in vehicle

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project has been to develop and implement optimal control methods to minimize fuel consumption by controlling vehicle speed and gear selection. It should be done in such a way that it can be implemented in the vehicle using a real time application. The algorithms need to handle both continuous and discrete variables efficiently. The goal is to achieve successful integration and implementation of energy management algorithms on real conventional vehicles and to provide fuel savings of 6-8% in comparison with vehicles without predictive energy management algorithms.

Expected long term effects

The project has demonstrated fuel savings of 2.0 % to 4.9% compared with vehicles without predictive energy optimization algorithms, provided the vehicle´s average speed is unchanged. This is achieved by optimizing the vehicle speed and eco-roll. Studies within the project show that additional savings can be obtained by co-optimization not only speed and eco-roll but also gear selection. The speed and eco-roll optimization has been implemented onboard the vehicle and executed in real time. The drivability of the vehicle has been assessed as good.

Approach and implementation

Simulations are performed in Matlab / Simulink. Some of the simulations have been performed in Volvo´s complex Global Simulation Platform (GSP), while other simulations were performed in a simpler simulation model further developed within the project. The developed control algorithms have been tested in real vehicles on public roads. This has been an important activity to increase the maturity of functionality. Therefore, a large part of the project has also been used to adapt the real-time application (Autobox) code and implement it in real vehicles.