Specifications and requirements
The ORCA project aims to improve the performances and reduce the total cost of ownership of European heavy-duty hybrid vehicles. Within this framework, Work Package 1 (WP1) (led by the Vrije Universtiteit Brussel) aimed to specify the performance requirements and design targets of the ORCA project. It ended in May 2017. An expert panel has been created to discuss the system (fuel consumption, cost, etc.) and performance (i.e. maximum acceleration, velocity, slope, etc.) requirements, the components design targets (engine power, etc.) and load cycle and boundary conditions (i.e. driving cycle, battery state of charge limitations, etc.). Specifications for the rechargeable energy storage (RES), power electronic devices, electric motors, etc., have thus been derived from these requirements to be fulfilled in the rest of the project. Several potential chemistries and configurations for Li-ion batteries and Li-capacitors have been particularly assessed for heavy-duty vehicles applications. On the other hand, a validation plan has been defined to verify that the ORCA developments will meet the requirements. This resulted in a high-level validation plan which considers two prototypes: a hybrid bus from IVECO and a hybrid truck from VALEO. The deliberation of WP1 about requirements and validation options therefore provides a solid framework for further iteration toward a detailed simulation and experimental testing conditions that together will enable the realization of the overall ORCA objectives.
