Racing strategy and car design for staged solar car races using simulation of environmental and vehicular parameters

Conference · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:20030566

Seitzmeyer, R L; Morehouse, J H

This paper develops an algorithm for a racing strategy such that the overall elapsed time for a solar car in a staged race is minimized within the constraints of energy availability. Additionally, factors (operating parameters) affecting car operation are explored, as well as opportunities to maximize car efficiency through design. The end product is computer program in which various environmental and vehicular parameters are entered, and the car's speed for any particular race course segment is the output. These operating parameters include external environmental factors such as insolation (including present and predicted), road distance and grade, speed limits, and wind velocity. The vehicle operating parameters include such factors as drag, drivetrain performance and efficiency, and solar system and battery characteristics and efficiencies. With the algorithm developed in this paper, the speed is varied for different road segments of each daily leg of the race. At the end of each road segment, the optimum speed for all the remaining segments is determined, based on the current and expected environmental and vehicle operating conditions for the rest of the road segments. This algorithm takes into consideration a non-efficient battery system and accommodates motor efficiency data. The car's energy usage for each segment of the course is simulated for various speeds and the local segment environmental conditions.

• Research Organization: DMJM, Arlington, VA (US)
• OSTI ID: 20030566
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ALGORITHMS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS