On-line loss and global efficiency simulation tool for electric vehicles applications

This paper is dedicated to control-based energy optimization tools useful for the electric vehicles (EVs) propulsion chain, which puts in interaction an electric motor and its energy source static converter. It is essential in energy optimization studies to build an accurate simulation model that takes into account all possible losses of the propulsion chain components according to the operating point. For that reason, the present work provides an accurate loss analysis solution, by studying the various elements losses of an electric traction chain motorized by an Electrically-Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM). The machine power balance is established while taking copper and iron losses into account. Moreover, the inverter and chopper losses are evaluated while using a model based on a novel technique that consists in creating a modified version of output voltages affected by the inverter and chopper losses. Finally, all losses data are gathered in order to simulate the system on-line losses distribution and global efficiency for different operating conditions.