Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Energies Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 28755

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mingshan Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: thermal management of new energy vehicles; integrated electric–thermal energy system

Dr. Dan Dan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: electric vehicle; power battery; thermal management; heat pipe
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The large-scale application of energy-saving and new energy vehicles (electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, etc) has become vital in the transportation field. However, these new modes of vehicles still have some technical flaws, such as safety risks and range anxiety. During freezing winters and hot summers, these problems are greatly aggravated by the energy versus temperature characteristics of batteries and the turning on of air conditioning (AC). Therefore, an efficient thermal management system (TMS) is greatly needed for advanced energy-saving and new energy vehicles to maintain adequate operating range, protect components from aging and ensure passenger comfort. Innovations in thermal management technology are thus critical from a physical point of view. The novel architectures of TMS, new cooling/heating structures of battery systems, and the key technologies of air-conditioning and thermal system control are vitally important for the future development of energy-saving and new energy vehicles.

This Special Issue seeks to highlight original research on recent innovations with unique applications of thermal management systems in new modes of transportation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Design, analysis, and management of air-conditioning system;
Thermal modelling techniques and the key concepts for cabin thermal comfort;
New structures for battery thermal management systems;
Efficient motor cooling;
Advanced control strategies for TMSs;
Key technologies of the core components (compressors, heat exchangers, fans, etc.) of TMSs;
Application of TMS in extreme high/low temperatures.

Prof. Dr. Mingshan Wei
Dr. Dan Dan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

energy-saving and new energy vehicles
thermal management
air-conditioning system
battery cooling and heating
motor cooling
TMS structure and control
flow control
phase change material
heat pipe

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 3468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Design of Battery Thermal Management Systems for Improving Cooling Performance and Reducing Pressure Drop

by Kai Chen, Ligong Yang, Yiming Chen, Bingheng Wu and Mengxuan Song

Energies 2024, 17(10), 2275; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102275 - 9 May 2024

Viewed by 283

Abstract

The air-cooled system is one of the most widely used battery thermal management systems (BTMSs) for the safety of electric vehicles. In this study, an efficient design of air-cooled BTMSs is proposed for improving cooling performance and reducing pressure drop. Combining with a numerical calculation method, a strategy with a varied step length of adjustments (∆d) is developed to optimize the spacing distribution among battery cells for temperature uniformity improvement. The optimization results indicate that the developed strategy reduces the optimization time by about 50% compared with a strategy using identical ∆d values while maintaining good performance of the optimized system. Furthermore, the system’s pressure drop does not increase after the spacing optimization. Based on this characteristic, a structural design strategy is proposed to improve the cooling performance and reduce the pressure drop simultaneously. First, the appropriate flow pattern is arranged and the secondary outlet is added to reduce the pressure drop of the system. The results show that the BTMS with U-type flow combined with a secondary outlet against the original outlet can effectively reduce the pressure drop of the system. Subsequently, this BTMS is further improved using the developed cell spacing optimization strategy with varied ∆d values while the pressure drop is fixed. It is found that the final optimized BTMS achieves a battery temperature difference below 1 K for different inlet airflow rates, with the pressure drop being reduced by at least 45% compared with the BTMS before the optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling CO₂ Emissions from Vehicles Fuelled with Compressed Natural Gas Based on On-Road and Chassis Dynamometer Tests

by Maksymilian Mądziel

Energies 2024, 17(8), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17081850 - 12 Apr 2024

Viewed by 422

Abstract

In response to increasingly stringent global environmental policies, this study addresses the pressing need for accurate prediction models of CO₂ emissions from vehicles powered by alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG). Through experimentation and modelling, one of the pioneering CO₂ emission models specifically designed for CNG-powered vehicles is presented. Using data from chassis dynamometer tests and road assessments conducted with a portable emission measurement system (PEMS), the study employs the XGBoost technique within the Optuna Python programming language framework. The validation of the models produced impressive results, with R² values of 0.9 and 0.7 and RMSE values of 0.49 and 0.71 for chassis dynamometer and road test data, respectively. The robustness and precision of these models offer invaluable information to transportation decision-makers engaged in environmental analyses and policymaking for urban areas, facilitating informed strategies to mitigate vehicular emissions and foster sustainable transportation practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 9328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Modeling for Electric Vehicles Based on Real Driving Cycles: An Artificial Intelligence Approach for Microscale Analyses

by Maksymilian Mądziel

Energies 2024, 17(5), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17051148 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 729

Abstract

This paper presents the process of creating a model for electric vehicle (EV) energy consumption, enabling the rapid generation of results and the creation of energy maps. The most robust validation indicators were exhibited by an artificial intelligence method, specifically neural networks. Within this framework, two predictive models for EV energy consumption were developed for winter and summer conditions, based on actual driving cycles. These models hold particular significance for microscale road analyses. The resultant model, for test data in summer conditions, demonstrates validation indicators of an R² of 86% and an MSE of 1.4, while, for winter conditions, its values are 89% and 2.8, respectively, confirming its high precision. The paper also presents exemplary applications of the developed models, utilizing both real and simulated microscale data. The results obtained and the presented methodology can be especially advantageous for decision makers in the management of city roads and infrastructure planners, aiding both cognitive understanding and the better planning of charging infrastructure networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 28989 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a 470-Horsepower Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Xcient Dynamic Model Using Simscape^TM

by Sanghyun Yun, Jinwon Yun and Jaeyoung Han

Energies 2023, 16(24), 8092; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16248092 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 861

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are employed in trucks and large commercial vehicles utilizing hydrogen as fuel due to their rapid start-up characteristics and responsiveness. However, addressing the requirement for high power output in the low-current section presents a challenge. To solve this issue, a multi-stack can be applied using two stacks. Furthermore, thermal management, which significantly affects the performance of the stacks, is essential. Therefore, in this study, a hydrogen electric truck system model was developed based on a Hyundai Xcient hydrogen electric truck model using MATLAB/Simscape^TM 2022b. In addition, the system’s performance and thermal characteristics were evaluated and analyzed under different road environments and wind conditions while driving in Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Multi-Objective Compound Energy Management Strategy Based on Fuzzy Control for FCHEV

by Cuixia Lin, Wenguang Luo, Hongli Lan and Cong Hu

Energies 2022, 15(5), 1721; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15051721 - 25 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1523

Abstract

A compound energy management strategy is proposed to improve the fuel cell’s durability and the economy of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCHEV). A control strategy that combines fuzzy control and switching control is proposed, taking into account factors that affect the fuel cell’s durability and the supercapacitor park’s safety. To smooth the output power of fuel cells under frequent variable load conditions, a moving average filtering algorithm has been added. Finally, co-simulation using Advisor and Matlab/Simulink under the World Light Vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC) compares the proposed strategy with fuzzy control and power following strategies. The experimental results show that the proposed strategy ensures the safety of the supercapacitor park and improves the durability of the fuel cell while improving the economy of the whole vehicle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

38 pages, 113522 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Review of Thermal Management Technology for Electric Vehicles

by Dan Dan, Yihang Zhao, Mingshan Wei and Xuehui Wang

Energies 2023, 16(12), 4693; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124693 - 14 Jun 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 11499

Abstract

The burgeoning electric vehicle industry has become a crucial player in tackling environmental pollution and addressing oil scarcity. As these vehicles continue to advance, effective thermal management systems are essential to ensure battery safety, optimize energy utilization, and prolong vehicle lifespan. This paper presents an exhaustive review of diverse thermal management approaches at both the component and system levels, focusing on electric vehicle air conditioning systems, battery thermal management systems, and motor thermal management systems. In each subsystem, an advanced heat transfer process with phase change is recommended to dissipate the heat or directly cool the target. Moreover, the review suggested that a comprehensive integration of AC systems, battery thermal management systems, and motor thermal management systems is inevitable and is expected to maximize energy utilization efficiency. The challenges and limitations of existing thermal management systems, including system integration, control algorithms, performance balance, and cost estimation, are discussed, along with potential avenues for future research. This paper is expected to serve as a valuable reference for forthcoming research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 915 KiB

Open AccessReview

Future of Electric and Hydrogen Cars and Trucks: An Overview

by Aiman Albatayneh, Adel Juaidi, Mustafa Jaradat and Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro

Energies 2023, 16(7), 3230; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073230 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 11756

Abstract

The negative consequences of toxic emissions from internal combustion engines, energy security, climate change, and energy costs have led to a growing demand for clean power sources in the automotive industry. The development of eco-friendly vehicle technologies, such as electric and hydrogen vehicles, has increased. This article investigates whether hydrogen vehicles will replace electric vehicles in the future. The results showed that fuel-cell cars are unlikely to compete with electric cars. This is due to the advancements in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, which are becoming more cost-effective and efficient. Additionally, the technical progress in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is expected to reduce the market share of fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in passenger vehicles. However, significant investments have been made in hydrogen cars. Many ongoing investments seem to follow the sunk cost fallacy, where decision-makers continue to invest in an unprofitable project due to their already invested resources. Furthermore, even with megawatt charging, fuel-cell trucks cost more than battery-powered electric trucks. The use cases for fuel-cell electric trucks are also much more limited, as their running expenses are higher compared to electric cars. Hydrogen vehicles may be beneficial for heavy transport in remote areas. However, it remains to be seen if niche markets are large enough to support fuel-cell electric truck commercialization and economies of scale. In summary, we believe that hydrogen vehicles will not replace electric cars and trucks, at least before 2050. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Management of Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicles: Technology and Application)

► Show Figures