Electromobility with range prediction by ESG
Electromobility: The ESG Energy Manager is the first platform-independent energy management add-on which offers precise and realistic range prediction
Fürstenfeldbruck, 11 February 2009
ESG Automotive has set a milestone for the road suitability of electric vehicles. The Energy Manager, an innovative software solution for mobile electrical energy management, monitors and controls all aspects of the energy balance in the vehicle and calculates a reliable range prognosis. All the important vehicle and journey parameters are factored in, so the driver can truly rely on the prediction. Due to limited battery capacity, this is an absolute must for electric vehicles. As its first practical test run, the ESG Energy Manager will be installed in the Hotzenblitz electric car, which is used by our co-operation partner HS Genion as a testing and prototype vehicle.
ESG and HS Genion, a subsidiary of Webasto AG, share a common interest in the realisation of electrical mobility add-ons which are suitable for everyday use. Both companies are particularly concerned with topics such as control and optimisation of energy consumption and full use of available energy sources, as well as bodywork concepts and lightweight construction. The Hotzenblitz electric car is used as a practical test platform for this technology. Since spring 2007, HS Genion has been using the Hotzenblitz to test a range of different technology for possible future use in electric vehicles, such as solar panels for battery charging. With the integration of the Energy Manager, ESG has achieved its next development aim.
The Energy Manager plays a central role in the vehicle. It monitors, balances and controls the energy flow in the vehicle at all times, continuously and reliably ensuring optimum use of energy throughout the system – always basing the results on the current journey situation. The aim: to optimise the energy consumption and therefore the range of the vehicle – a problem which remains the Achilles\' heel of electric vehicles. Due to the range still being limited to a certain time, and because the battery cannot be recharged quickly during a journey, it is essential that a precise range prediction is available to the driver of the electric vehicle. This remains a challenge. The Energy Manager calculates the range far more reliably than previously possible, as it is the first system to include all the important influencing factors in its calculations: all the components in the on-board power supply, and also speed, route, altitude, temperature and seemingly unimportant factors such as the comfort requirements of the driver, e.g. the heating or air conditioning. The result is a reliable and dynamic range prognosis tailored to the vehicle\'s environment. The driver always knows whether they can reach their destination on current battery level, and how to economically optimise their driving in order to do so.
The basis for the ESG solution is a generic software platform with defined interfaces to the electrical vehicle components. It is based on the AUTOSTAR infrastructure, and is compatible with the OEM\'s own standard cores. As a purely software-based solution, the Energy Manager can easily be re-calibrated to suit new vehicle models or variants. With the generic system add-on, the concept can be adapted to all types of drive technology independently of platform. Whether for a conventional engine, a hybrid or an electric vehicle, the Energy Manager controls and optimises the electrical energy flow.
"The Energy Manager is a great step forward for the efficient use of energy in vehicles – and not only for electric cars. This concept is now hitting the road with HS Genion\'s Hotzenblitz platform – a very promising start," says Wolfgang Sczygiol, head of the ESG Automotive business area. "Of course, we are also in the qualification phase for other development projects for electric and hybrid vehicles."
For further information please contact:
Tel: +49-(89) 9216-2850
Fax: +49-(89) 9216-162850
ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH
Livry-Gargan-Straße 6
D - 82256 Fürstenfeldbruck