Version 1.0

 

Unit Name Green Energy Technologies for Vehicles
Unit Code MME605A
Unit Duration 1 Term (online) or 1 Semester (on-campus)
Award

Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical)
Duration: 1 year


Master of Engineering (Mechanical)
Duration: 2 years
Year Level Second

Unit Coordinator

MME Course Coordinator

Dr Shakil Ahmed

Dr Milind Siddhpura

Common/Stream

/Elective:

 Elective
Pre/Co-requisites Nil

 

Credit Points

3

Grad Dip total course credit points = 24
(3 credits x 8 (units))

Masters total course credit points = 48
(12 credits (Thesis) + 3 credits x 12 (units))
Mode of Delivery Online or on-campus. 
Unit Workload

Student workload including “contact hours” = 10 hours per week:

Lecture – 1 hour

Tutorial – 1 hour

Practical / Lab – 1 hour (if applicable)

Personal Study recommended – 7 hours

Unit Description and General Aims

This unit provides the students sufficient depth of understanding of using green energy technologies in vehicles in the context and motivation for net zero emissions. The components and working principles of hybrid electric vehicles, plug in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen powered vehicles are main content of this unit. The state of electric vehicles and their future trend in Australia are discussed. Students will gain knowledge about the climate change and the need of a carbon free fuel towards the net zero emissions. Cases studies and/or mini practical projects form an integral part of this subject and provide a practical understanding to the subject matter.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:

  1. Perceive primary energy sources and climate change in the context of greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Bloom’s Level 5
  2. Assess recent advances in hybrid electric vehicles, plug in electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen powered vehicles.
    • Bloom’s Level 5
  3. Evaluate latest engineering technologies in electric and hydrogen powered vehicles.
    • Bloom’s Level 5
  4. Perceive components and working principles of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles in comparison with internal combustion engines vehicles.
    • Bloom’s Level 5
  5. Develop heat transfer and thermal management of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. 
    • Bloom’s Level 6
  6. Formulate a hydrogen fuel distribution network starting from high pressure hydrogen tank to the vehicle tank.
    • Bloom’s Level 6

Student assessment

Assessment Type 

When assessed (e.g. Week 5)

Weighting (% of total unit marks)

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Assessment 1

Type: Weekly Quizzes 

Topics covered: 2-11.

Weekly  

10%

All 

Assessment 2 

Type: Test (Invigilated) 

Example: Short/Long answers and Problems to solve

Topics covered: 1-4

During Topic/Week 5 or 6 

30%

1,2,3,4

Assessment 3

Type: Practical (Report) & Demonstration

Topics covered: 1-7

After Topic 7

25%

1,2,3,4,5,6

Assessment 4

Type: Research (Report) & Presentation

[A complete report with sections on: methodology, implementation / evaluation, verification / validation, conclusion / challenges and recommendations / future work]

Word length: 3000, excluding diagrams and references.

Topics covered: All 

Final Week

35%

1,2,3,4,5,6,

Prescribed and Recommended readings

Required Textbook

  • Electric Vehicle Engineering by Per Enge, Nick Enge and Stephen Zoepf, McGraw Hill, 2021.
  • Fuel Cells for Transportation, Fundamental Principles and Applications. Edited by Prodip K. Das, Kui Jiao, Yun Wang, Frano Barbir and Xianguo Li, Elsevier, 2023. 

Reference Materials

  • Electric Vehicle Technology Explained, Second Edition, James Larminie and John Lowry, Wiley, 2012.
  • Hybrid and electric vehicles, A CRC Press Free book, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Electric Vehicle Basics, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, August 2023.
  • Electric Vehicles: A review of their components and Technologies, International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS), Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 2041~2061, ISSN: 2088-8694, DOI: 10.11591/ijpeds.v13.i4.pp2041-2061, December 2022.
  • Electric Vehicles Technology Brief, IRENA, 2017.
  • Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell vehicles, Taylor & Francis, Third Edition.
  • The state of electric vehicles in Australia, second report: Driving momentum in electric mobility, June 2018.

Unit Content

One topic is delivered per contact week:

 

Topic 1

Introduction

  • Demand of mobility & the primary energy resources that are available
  • Context and motivation for using renewable energy as a fuel source 
  • Climate change & the need for a carbon free fuel
  • Introduction to hydrogen powered vehicles (HPVs)
  • Introduction to electric vehicles (EVs)

Topic 2

Introduction to electric vehicles (EVs)

  • History of electric vehicles
  • Type of electric vehicles
  • Hybrid electric vehicles
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
  • Battery electric vehicles
  • Electric vehicle charging basics
  • Types of chargers
  • Charging time and range
  • Electric vehicle major players
  • Challenges of electric vehicles

Topic 3

Vehicle Dynamics of EVs

  • Forces acting on a rolling vehicle
  • Power required for rolling motion
  • Modelling real world conditions
  • Fundamentals of regenerative braking

Topic 4

Motors, batteries, and controllers in EVs

  • Motors
  • Brushed DC motors
  • Brushless motors
  • Reluctance motors
  • AC induction motors
  • Motor efficiency
  • Batteries
  • Battery fundamentals
  • Lithium-ion batteries
  • Battery characteristics
  • Electric vehicle charging
  • Controllers
  • Circuit elements

Topic 5

Incentives and barriers of EVs

  • Incentives
  • Zero emission Vehicle mandates
  • Fleet emission requirements
  • Rebates and tax incentives
  • Reduced vehicle fees
  • Support for charging
  • Barriers
  • Range anxiety
  • Cost

Topic 6

The state of electric vehicles around the World

  • Electric vehicle uptake 
  • Charging infrastructure in 
  • Consumer attitudes
  • Electric vehicle policy 

Topic 7

Introduction to hydrogen powered vehicles (HPV)

  • Working principles of hydrogen powered vehicles
  • Structural components of hydrogen powered vehicles
  • Compare with internal combustion engine vehicles: Advantages and disadvantages
  • Fuel cell efficiency, system efficiency and thermal stability

Topic 8 

Electricity generation from fuel cell for HPV (I)

  • Types of fuel cells and their electrochemistry
  • Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell 
  • AFC, PAFC and Molten Carbonate Fuel cells 
  • Factors to consider-Cost, durability, and performance

Topic 9

Electricity generation from fuel cell for HPV (II)

  • Solid oxide fuel cell 
  • Solid oxide fuel cells for transportation
  • Solid oxide fuel cells: advantages and shortcomings
  • Cell configurations
  • Fuel types
  • Hydrogen
  • Ammonia
  • Hydrocarbons and Alcohols
  • Applications
  • FV vehicles Challenges and related efforts

Topic 10

Heat transport and thermal management for HPV

  • Introduction
  • The heat in proton exchange membrane fuel cell
  • Heat generation
  • Heat transport
  • Proton exchange membrane fuel cell thermal management
  • The cooling of PEM Fuel cells
  • Thermal management system
  • Control Strategy
  • Cold Start

Topic 11

Hydrogen refueling stations/infrastructure

  • Hydrogen refuelling station networks
  • Hydrogen storage and source in hydrogen refuelling stations
  • Hydrogen refuelling stations capital cost
  • Challenges in hydrogen refuelling stations network development
  • Challenges in establishing a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure

Topic 12

Recent trends and future scope

  • The future of electric vehicles market prediction
  • Recent development in Li-ion batteries for EVs
  • Emerging technologies in fuel cell efficiency, durability, materials, and stack design

Engineers Australia

The Australian Engineering Stage 1 Competency Standards for the Professional Engineer, approved as of 2013. This table is referenced in the mapping of graduate attributes to learning outcomes and via the learning outcomes to student assessment.

Stage 1 Competencies and Elements Competency
1. Knowledge and Skill Base
1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
2. Engineering Application Ability
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
3. Professional and Personal Attributes
3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanor.
3.4 Professional use and management of information.
3.5 Orderly management of self and professional conduct.
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership.

Software/Hardware Used

Software: H2Fills

H2Fills is a thermodynamic simulation software designed to model hydrogen filling processes for fuel cell electric vehicles. It is crucial for mechanical engineers as it enhances safety, optimizes fueling efficiency, and supports the development of hydrogen infrastructure. Applications include designing hydrogen fueling stations and improving vehicle fueling protocols. 

Hardware: None

Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback