CAE tools for quasi-static modeling and optimization of hybrid powertrains

Hybrid vehicles offer larger flexibility than conventional powertrains and, therefore, opportunities for improved fuel economy, but they need systematic design and optimization procedures to realize that potential. Especially choosing the best system structure, parametrization, and supervisory control algorithms is not trivial. This paper presents a tool which supports these tasks and which is based on a somewhat unusual system description. With this approach, fast simulations over entire test cycles are achieved on standard computer platforms. To demonstrate the benefits of the proposed tool, three case studies are shown, one including experimental data.