Energy Cost Based Vehicle Hybrid Control and Analysis Technique

A novel method of analyzing and controlling hybrid systems has been developed. Utilizing engine operating maps along with hybrid electrical system efficiency data, the actual cost or savings of fuel related to the generation or usage of electric energy can be calculated. These calculations can be used to analyze a vehicle’s operation, or they can produce optimized Electric Fuel Savings (EFS) or Electric Fuel Cost (EFC) maps which can be used for the supervisory control of a hybrid propulsion system. This method is similar in concept to the well-known Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) but has some unique attributes. The operating strategy is less computationally demanding than ECMS and tends to be more intuitive which lends itself well to system analysis and calibration.