Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Simulation: from “Virtual” to “HyHiL” test bench 2009-24-0068

The present paper deals with the activities and the results achieved under a cooperative research project between IFP, D2T, LMS, G2Elab and Renault focused on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) applications to hybrid power-trains conception and assessment. The main goal of this study is the evaluation of hybrid propulsion concepts and the benefits of different degrees of hybridization in a flexible architecture, by using a chain of simulation platforms: from the co-simulation to the high-dynamic engine-in-the-loop test bed, through a virtual version of the last one. The activity assessed the potentialities in terms of fuel consumption reduction and the challenges in terms of pollutants emissions of micro and full-hybrid application for light-duty vehicle based on gasoline engine: over several road load cycles as NEDC, FTP72, ARTEMIS. Engine operation at the dynamic test bench reproduced the optimized hybrid schedules and the results were compared to the conventional base engine and to the other simulation platforms. Therefore, the main results show that this series of simulation environments, makes possible the evaluation of complex power-trains without the need of manufacturing a real vehicle, hence proving it's extreme usefulness as a tool.