Abstract
The range of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) is currently limited and prevents a large scale adoption. Due to a low specific energy of its electrochemical cells, today’s rechargeable batteries restrict the range of most electric vehicles to 100 – 200 km. Therefore, a research group at the Heilbronn University investigates emission-free and environment-neutral alternatives for electric batteries in different vehicle applications. Currently the focus is the utilization of a small size flywheel energy storage (FES) unit combined with the standard battery of an electric single-track vehicle (eScooter). By using the FES unit as a dynamic temporary storage an increasing range will be achieved. Primarily in de– and acceleration phases of the vehicle the storage is charged and discharged. In an analysis for a defined real driving cycle the electrical loads were recorded and the mechanical flywheel storage unit has been adjusted accordingly. Additionally the mechanical stresses by vibrations and centrifugal forces for the rotating mass have been considered. Computer simulations about development of gyroscopic forces and the influence on the drivability of the single-track vehicle will be used to support the study.
KEYWORDS – Electromobility, Flywheel energy storage, Single-track vehicle, Range extending