Gaston Maggetto

Bio: Gaston Maggetto is an academic researcher from Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electric vehicle & Battery (electricity). The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 58 publications receiving 719 citations. Previous affiliations of Gaston Maggetto include Free University of Brussels.

Electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles : state of the art and perspectives

Abstract: In urban areas, due to their beneficial effects on the environment, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles are an important factor for the improvement of traffic and more particularly for a healthier environment. We are quite rapidly reaching the end of the cheap oil era. This could happen around 2010 and is nowadays probably indicated by the steadily growing oil price. Therefore the need for alternative energy sources is growing and the competitiveness of alternatives against oil is becoming more and more realistic. Electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles are offering the best possibility for the use of new energy sources, because electricity can result from a transformation with high efficiency of these sources and is always used with the highest possible efficiency in systems with electric drives or components. Some basic considerations about the situation, today and in a mid and long-term perspective, are presented together with the infrastructure developments.

Influence of functional unit on the life cycle assessment of traction batteries

Abstract: This paper describes the influence of the choice of the functional unit on the results of an environmental assessment of different battery technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles. Battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles are considered as being environmentally friendly. However, the batteries they use are sometimes said to be environmentally unfriendly. At the current state of technology different battery types can be envisaged: lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion and sodium-nickel chloride. The environmental impacts described in this paper are based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. One of the first critical stages of LCA is the definition of an appropriate and specific functional unit for electric and hybrid vehicle application. Most of the known LCA studies concerning batteries were performed while choosing different functional units, although this choice can influence the final results. An adequate functional unit, allowing to compare battery technologies in their real life vehicle application should be chosen. The results of the LCA are important as they will be used as a decision support for the end-of-life vehicles directive 2000/53/EC (Official Journal of the European Communities L269/24 2000). As a consequence, a thorough analysis is required to define an appropriate functional unit for the assessment of batteries for electric vehicles. This paper discusses this issue and will mainly focus on traction batteries for electric vehicles. An overview of the different parameters to be considered in the definition of a functional unit to compare battery technologies for battery electric vehicle application is described and discussed. An LCA study is performed for the most relevant potential functional units. SimaPro 6 is used as a software tool and Eco-indicator 99 as an impact assessment method. The influence of the different selected functional units on the results (Eco-indicator Points) is discussed. The environmental impact of the different electric vehicle battery technologies is described. A sensitivity analysis illustrates the robustness of the obtained results. Five main parameters are considered in each investigated functional unit: an equal depth of discharge is assumed, a relative number of batteries required during the life of the vehicle is calculated, the energy losses in the battery and the additional vehicle consumption due to the battery mass is included and the same lifetime distance target is taken into account. On the basis of the energy content, battery mass, number of cycles and vehicle autonomy three suitable functional units are defined: ‘battery packs with an identical mass’, ‘battery packs with an identical energy content’ and ‘battery packs with an identical one-charge range’. The results show that the differences in the results between these three functional units are small and imply less variation on the results than the other uncertainties inherent to LCA studies. On the other hand, the results obtained using other, less adequate, functional units can be quite different. When performing an LCA study, it’s important to choose an appropriate functional unit. Most of the time, this choice is unambiguous. However, sometimes this choice is more complicated when different correlated parameters have to be considered, as it is the case for traction batteries. When using a realistic functional unit, the result is not influenced significantly by the choice of one out of the three suitable functional units. Additionally, the life cycle assessment allowed concluding that three electric vehicle battery technologies have a comparable environmental impact: lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride. Lithium-ion and sodium-nickel chloride have lower environmental impacts than the three previously cited technologies when used in a typical battery electric vehicle application. The article describes the need to consider all relevant parameters for the choice of a functional unit for an electric vehicle battery, as this choice can influence the conclusions. A more standardised method to define the functional unit could avoid these differences and could make it possible to compare the results of different traction battery LCA studies more easily.

Control of a three-phase PWM rectifier using estimated AC-side and DC-side voltages

Abstract: A new control method of a pulsewidth modulation (PWM) rectifier without measuring AC- and DC-side voltages is proposed. As information about these voltages is necessary for the controller, all required voltage values are estimated from the measured line currents and the calculated values of the input reactor voltage during switching of the rectifier circuit. The input reactor voltage can be obtained by using a differentiator that produces the derivative of the line current or by detecting the voltage induced in a secondary winding wound on the input reactor. The secondary winding creates the electric isolation between the main circuit and the controller. The proposed method is verified by experiment. This paper describes the estimation method, gives the configuration of the controller, and discusses steady-state and transient performances of the rectifier.

Environmental rating of vehicles with different alternative fuels and drive trains: a comparison of two approaches

Abstract: Two rating systems assessing the environmental damage caused by vehicles are compared: a Brussels one, ECOSCORE and a European one, CLEANER DRIVE. Both vehicle rating systems were developed for the assessment of vehicles with alternative types of fuels as well as different types of drive train, such as electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. A simplified life cycle assessment following a well-to-wheel approach is used to compare the methodologies. Total emissions involve oil extraction, transport and refinery, fuel distribution and electricity generation and distribution as well as tailpipe emissions from the use phase. Different types of pollution such as acid rain, photochemical air pollution, noise pollution and global warming are examined and their impact on numerous receptors such as ecosystems, buildings and human beings (cancer, respiratory diseases, etc.) are investigated. Examples illustrate both methodologies and sensitivity analysis is used to examine the robustness of the systems.

A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters

Abstract: Solid-state switch-mode rectification converters have reached a matured level for improving power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input AC mains and precisely regulated DC output in buck, boost, buck-boost and multilevel modes with unidirectional and bidirectional power flow. This paper deals with a comprehensive review of improved power quality converters (IPQCs) configurations, control approaches, design features, selection of components, other related considerations, and their suitability and selection for specific applications. It is targeted to provide a wide spectrum on the status of IPQC technology to researchers, designers and application engineers working on switched-mode AC-DC converters. A classified list of more than 450 research publications on the state of art of IPQC is also given for a quick reference.

A review of power battery thermal energy management

Abstract: This paper reviews the development of clean vehicles, including pure electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and high energy power batteries, such as nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The mathematical models and thermal behavior of the batteries are described. Details of various thermal management techniques, especially the PCMs battery thermal management system and the materials thermal conductivity, are discussed and compared. It is concluded that the EVs, HEVs and FCEVs are effective to reduce GHG and pollutants emission and save energy. At stressful and abuse conditions, especially at high discharge rates and at high operating or ambient temperatures, traditional battery thermal energy management systems, such as air and liquid, may be not meeting the requirements. Pulsating heat pipe may be more effective but needs to be well designed. In addition, progress in developing new high temperature material is very difficult. PCM for battery thermal management is a better selection than others. Nevertheless, thermal conductivity of the PCMs such as paraffin is low and some methods are adopted to enhance the heat transfer of the PCMs. The performance and thermo-mechanical behaviors of the improved PCMs in the battery thermal management system need to be investigated experimentally. And the possibility of the heat collection and recycling needs to be discussed in terms of energy saving and efficient.

Electric, Hybrid, and Fuel-Cell Vehicles: Architectures and Modeling

Abstract: With the advent of more stringent regulations related to emissions, fuel economy, and global warming, as well as energy resource constraints, electric, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles have attracted increasing attention from vehicle constructors, governments, and consumers. Research and development efforts have focused on developing advanced powertrains and efficient energy systems. This paper reviews the state of the art for electric, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles, with a focus on architectures and modeling for energy management. Although classic modeling approaches have often been used, new systemic approaches that allow better understanding of the interaction between the numerous subsystems have recently been introduced.