CAR Rolls Forward with Vehicle Electrification Research
In a move to hasten vehicle modifications from gas to electric, Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research and industry partners are developing improved power conversion systems.
CAR is collaborating with Ohio companies Vanner Inc. and American Electric Power, along with STMicroelectronics of Michigan and Fil-Mor Express of Minnesota, on the project, which is supported by a $3 million Ohio Third Frontier grant.
The partners are building a testing facility that includes a heavy-duty chassis dynamometer, large battery cycler system, environmental chamber and high-voltage power measurement equipment for the development of new technology to convert commercial vehicles from gas to electric.
“This new facility will measure everything on board a hybrid vehicle, including fuel and energy efficiency,”says Giorgio Rizzoni, professor of mechanical engineering and director of CAR. He explained that Vanner has developed converters that allow a high-voltage battery in a commercial vehicle to power electrical accessories, thus eliminating use of the alternator. The research will help engineers develop a modular DC-to-AC power converter to further the process, decoupling the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, fans and water pump from the engine. The technology could be applied to commercial trucks and transit buses, school buses and construction and agriculture vehicles, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions and long-term fuel savings.
“By the time Vanner is done producing these, the benefit could be as much as a 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption, whereas a typical hybrid bus, for example, only gives you a 15 percent fuel economy improvement,”Rizzoni says.
The partners in the project expect the improved power conversion systems to boost Ohio’s economy by adding more than 900 jobs in Columbus, Dayton and Cleveland over the next five years and by resulting in $246 million in annual sales five years after the project is complete at five Ohio companies.
American Electric Power, STMicroelectronics and Fil-Mor Express also will use the new facilities to research, develop and demonstrate new hybrid electric vehicle technologies.
In addition, the partners will work to further evolve the technology for connection of the hybrid vehicle into the electric power grid, which will enable activities such as overnight charging of the battery pack, cool-down of transit buses in warm climate areas or operation of compressors in refrigerator trucks without the current requirement of engine idling. CAR plans to develop related educational and workforce training programs including an advanced power electronics course, aimed at automotive applications, for students and technical workers as well as a training course for the new testing equipment.
“Ohio is already emerging as a major force in innovation in the hybrid electric niche,”says Steve Funk, president of Vanner.“We expect to work closely with suppliers and innovators across the state to further green-car technology and reinforce our state’s reputation as the up-and-coming Silicon Valley of vehicle electrification.”
