Low Temperature Thermal Management for Parked Electric Vehicles

ABSTRACT

Iveco Group, the Seeker for this Challenge, is looking for disruptive technologies or systems to optimize battery thermal management in battery powered electric vehicles (BEV), particularly those left stationary for many hours in very cold temperatures. Temperature highly affects the performance, safety, and lifetime of battery cells, making electric vehicles uncompetitive in large areas of the world thus denying these areas the benefits of reduced pollution and increased efficiency that come with adoption of electric vehicles. The Seeker desires novel solutions for the active thermal management of vehicle batteries for vehicles left parked for many hours in the cold while not plugged in or charging.

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires written documentation and experimental proof-of-concept data, if available. Well-justified Theoretical solutions are acceptable for a partial award amount with the understanding the Seeker may laboratory test such solutions.

OVERVIEW

Anyone who has tried to start a car with an internal combustion engine in extremely cold weather understands the impact low temperature has on battery output. This impact is even more significant for battery powered electric vehicles (BEV) where the ability to move is directly related to the amount of power the batteries can provide at any given instant. In discharge phase the current output available at the same state of charge (SoC) from a battery drops exponentially with dropping temperatures. For instance, battery output current at 15 °C is typically half of what it is at 25 °C, and at 0 °C it is one third of what it is at 15 °C. This necessitates the warming of battery cells that are left at low temperatures before the vehicle can be used in order to lower their electrical resistance. This issue may impact the worldwide expansion of the use of electric vehicles, particularly into large areas of the world where extreme temperatures are common. Currently, BEV typically have passive thermal management systems to keep the batteries warm or heat them from low temperatures. The Seeker is looking for a novel, energy efficient, active battery thermal management system (BTMS) that allows for fast, controlled heating of batteries to a specific temperature from any starting colder temperature.

The submission to the Challenge should include the following:

1. The detailed description of the proposed Solution addressing specific Technical Requirements presented in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. This description should be accompanied by a well-articulated rationale supported by literature/patent precedents.
2. Experimental proof-of-concept data, if available, obtained as detailed in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. Theoretical solutions are acceptable but for a lower partial award amount.  

The Challenge award is contingent upon theoretical evaluation and experimental validation of the submitted solutions by the Seeker.

To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer their exclusive IP rights to the Seeker. Instead, Solvers will grant to the Seeker a non-exclusive license to commercially exploit their solutions.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 24-Jul-2023.
Late submissions will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of the Iveco Group and its subsidiaries (and members of their families) are not eligible to receive awards for this Challenge.

ABOUT THE SEEKER

Iveco Group is the home of unique people and brands that power your business and mission to advance a more sustainable society.

The eight brands are each a major force in its specific business: IVECO, a pioneering commercial vehicles brand that designs, manufactures, and markets heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks; FPT Industrial, a global leader in a vast array of advanced powertrain technologies in the agriculture, construction, marine, power generation, and commercial vehicles sectors; IVECO BUS and HEULIEZ, mass-transit and premium bus and coach brands; IDV, for highly-specialised defence and civil protection equipment; ASTRA, a leader in large-scale heavy-duty quarry and construction vehicles; MAGIRUS, the industry-reputed firefighting vehicle and equipment manufacturer; and IVECO CAPITAL, the financing arm which supports them all.

Iveco Group employs approximately 34,000 people around the world and has 28 manufacturing plants and 29 R&D centers.

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What is an RTP Challenge?

A Wazoku Crowd RTP (Reduction to Practice) Challenge is a prototype that proves an idea, and is similar to a Wazoku Crowd Theoretical Challenge in its high level of detail. However, an RTP requires the Solver to submit a validated solution, either in the form of original data or a physical sample. Also, the Seeker is allowed to test the proposed solution. For details about treatment of Intellectual Property (IP) rights, please see the Challenge Specific Agreement.