TOWARD A SUPERVISORY CONTROL OF A HYBRID SOLAR VEHICLE

A study on optimal energy management on a hybrid solar vehicle (HSV) with series structure is presented. Previous results obtained by optimal design analysis for HSV have confirmed the relevant benefits of such vehicles with respect to conventional cars in case of intermittent use in urban driving (city-car), and that economical feasibility could be achieved in a near future. In order to develop a supervisory control for a HSV prototype now under development at University of Salerno, a study on the performance achievable by an intermittent use of the ICE powering the electric generator is presented. In particular, the effects of engine thermal transient on fuel consumption are studied and discussed. The optimal ICE power trajectory is found by solving a non-linear constrained optimization that suitably accounts for fuel mileage and state of charge, also considering solar contribution during parking mode.