Drivetrains for Electric Vehicles and Wind Turbines
Drivsystem för elfordon och vindkraftverk

EIEN80, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED E
Date of Decision: 2024-04-02
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: E4-em, F4, F4-es, M4-me, M4-tt, N4-es
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

Almost all electric energy used in society is processed by switched power electronic, from mobile phone chargers to motor drives in heavy duty full electric trucks, from wind power generation to electric vehicle charging stations etc. There are big similarities between many applications, like a motor drive system for an electric vehicle or a wind turbine generator operating with variable rotor speed.

To be able to control such applications, detailed knowledge is required about how the electrical machines and the power electronics involved should be designed and controlled. In an electric car the driving range, the traction control, the acoustic sound and torque quality are directly dependent on the control applied by the power electronic supply. In a wind turbine, the efficiency, sound level, power quality and more are also highly dependent on power electronic control.

Common for these two applications, and for many more, is a detailed understanding of how to model and control “electromechanical energy converters” i.e. electrical machines in motor or generator operation, using power electronic converters.

The purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge needed to participate in development and control of drivetrain in modern electric vehicles and in wind power generation.

This course needs to be preceded by the course “Power Electronic Control and Design Project”, or similar knowledge.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to individually and in writing show understanding of how the most important physical properties of a given energy source (eg a regenerating electric drive system in a vehicle, a wind turbine generator or a photovoltaic system), energy converters (electric machine, loudspeaker) or energy storage (battery, electrolysis plant), are modelled with respect to power electronic energy control,
• demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles for electromechanical energy conversion as applied in electric vehicles and wind turbine drive trains,
• demonstrate understanding of how properties of the physical design of electromechanical energy converters (“el motors and generators”) affect the performance in applications in electric vehicles and wind turbine drive trains.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate an ability to select and specify the main properties of an electromechanical energy converter based on operational specifications of an electric vehicle and a wind power plant,
• demonstrate an ability to calculate or measure the parameters needed for power electronic control of the vehicle or the wind power generation,
• demonstrate an ability to implement a suitable control system in a power electronically controlled drivetrain in a simulation environment based on the calculated parameters,
• demonstrate an ability to implement a suitable control system in a power electronically controlled drivetrain in laboratory based on the calculated parameters.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• individually be able to assess the suitability of power electronic solutions for the physical and electromagnetic environmental impact and energy efficiency.

Contents

Lectures and arithmetic exercises

Modulation and Current Control methods for power electronic circuits. This is a repetition of required prior knowledge built in the preceding course EIENnn “Power Electronic Control and Design Project”.

EV drivetrains design based on vehicle performance requirements. Battery voltage level, Power electronic switching frequency, Maximum vehicle speed, Acceleration requirements, hill climbing requirements, Size requirements, Number of gears.

Wind turbine design based on performance requirements. Turbine Size and rotor speed range, mechanical and electrical transmission, power optimization dependent on wind speed, ancillary services requirements.

Modelling of electrical machines. Torque map, flux map, voltage limitation, current limitations, optimal operating points. Applications on both EV drives and Wind power generation

Control of electrical machines. Optimal operating points, Torque control, Magnetic flux limitations, Field weakening control, Applications on both EV drives and Wind turbines.

Simulation tasks and laboratory work

● Electric machine (PMSM) in a vehicle drive system.

● Electrical machine (PMSM) in a wind power system.

These labs are prepared through simulation work, which is reported as a homework before the lab. After the laboratory, a report is written where simulations and measurements are compared.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Approved laborations and simulations that are reported continuously. Written exam (5 h) with both problem solving and theoretical questions.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0124. Name: Power Electronics.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved written exam The module includes: Written exam
Code: 0224. Name: Laboratory and Simulation Exercises.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Approved laboratory work and written reports. The module includes: Laboratory work and written reports.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: EIENnn Power Electronic Control and Design Project, ESSF01 Analogue Circuits, ESS030/ESSF20 Physics of Devices, ESSF15 Electrical Engineering (EE, WE), MIE012/EIEF35 Electrical Engineering, basic course (ME)or EITF90 Electromagnetics and Electronics (FE) and FRT010/FRTF05 Automatic Control, Basic Course.
The number of participants is limited to: No
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: EIE041 EIE015 EIEN25

Reading list

• Alaküla M, Karlsson P: Power Electronics – Devices, Circuits, Control and Applications, IEA, LTH.

Contact

Course coordinator: Professor Mats Alaküla, mats.alakula@iea.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.lth.se/iea/utbildning/valfria-kurser-i-lund/tillaempad-kraftelektronik/

Further information