Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 3 - JOSPEL (Low energy passenger comfort systems based on the joule and peltier effects.)
Teaser
What is the problem/issue being addressed?Air quality in our cities is deteriorating in the last decades. One of the most influencing factors is the pollution produced by combustion cars. One possible solution is to substitute traditional combustion cars by electric vehicles...
Summary
What is the problem/issue being addressed?
Air quality in our cities is deteriorating in the last decades. One of the most influencing factors is the pollution produced by combustion cars. One possible solution is to substitute traditional combustion cars by electric vehicles and even better when cars are driven by removable energy. Different aspects must be considered to promote electric vehicle: reduction of price, improve charging systems and increase distance range. JOSPEL project is focused on increasing distance range by improving energy efficiency of the vehicle. Climate system can consume up to 40% of the battery depending on the climate and driving conditions. JOSPEL project develops new heating and cooling systems with high energy efficiency.
Why is it important for society?
Improving air quality in the cities have a direct impact on citizens health. Pollution is one of the main problems for our society. Governments, industry and the scientific community are looking for innovative solutions to solve this challenging problem.
What are the overall objectives?
JOSPEL project proposes different ways of increasing the distance range of EV:
• Improve the efficiency of the battery
• Improve the energy consumption related to thermal comfort of the passengers
• Implement eco-driving strategies
• Reduce car weight
• Improve insulation
Most of the energy employed in the car is related to the passenger thermal comfort. In extreme conditions the energy consumed on heating or cooling the vehicle cabin can go up to 40% of the total energy consumed in the car. Up to date, the energy consumption has been reduced in a 57% comparing to current HVAC systems according to thermal simulations.
Work performed
During the last period of the project all the developments have been implemented in the car and compared to state-of-art vehicle of the same characteristics in a climate chamber. Different climate conditions have been applied and energy consumption needed to ensure thermal comfort has been monitored.
Thermoelectric Joule and Peltier effects have shown significant potential in terms of reducing the amount of energy used for heating and cooling in electric vehicle cabins. A heating system based on the Joule effect, creates a radiant heating in the vehicle cabin which combined with fresh air fans for air renovation results in an improvement on the passenger thermal comfort sensation. Thermoplastic panels and thermoset textiles were developed as heating elements which were able to reduce the energy consumption with at least 30 % compared to existing PTC heaters. Climatic chamber tests were carried out to simulate extreme climate conditions in the car and thermal comfort was evaluated with sensors (ISO14505-2) and real passengers (ISO14505-3). JOSPEL heating solutions were close to perfection as the warm body with fresh air from the fans resulted in a thermal comfort classification of neutral-slightly warm.
In addition to developing new heating and cooling systems based on thermoelectric technology and effects, JOSPEL has applied optimized thermal management to the battery and other vehicle components, and together with eco-driving technologies, the project has achieved further energy reductions of 24 %. Last but not least, lightweight technologies and improved cabin insulation using new glazing designs shaves an additional 3 % off the energy consumption. With this holistic approach to energy management, JOSPEL has reduced the energy consumption related to passenger comfort systems with a total of 57 %-. Moreover, battery life was extended in a 15% thanks to its improved thermal management.
Final results
The main drawbacks of current heating systems are the los efficiency. Current PTC heaters work by heating the air of the vehicle cabin so that the passenger can feel warm. With this system high energy is needed to heat all the cabin volume while maybe there is just one occupant in the car. JOSPEL heating system is based on radiant heating by which just surfaces around the car passengers are heated: Therefore, the energy consumption is decreased by far.
JOSPEL developments can provide a huge advantage on the delivery of next generation lights electric vehicles able to provide higher performance thanks to the higher level of energy consumption saving and at same time better on board comfort for driver and passengers.
Energy flow optimization on light electric vehicles at present limited to few devices, within JOSPEL project has been enlarged to all critical on board devices especially looking to cabin comfort (heating and cooling) having an integrated approach to this issue, improving devices communications and preparing the ground for eco-driving strategies integration and implementation.
In our days, there is a competing demand for additional features for comfort that generates a rising interest in the climate control system. TE devices can offer several unique features by providing heating and cooling for various items on the vehicles, such as contact areas (seats or the steering wheel) or the whole cabin. TE units can be set to cool or heat directly using the power from the vehicle. In addition, all these TE systems offer the benefit of being small, relatively lightweight and silent in operation.
Website & more info
More info: http://jospel-project.eu/.