Liu, XuzeFotouhi, AbbasAuger, Daniel J.2020-09-142020-09-142020-09-13Liu X, Fotouhi A, Auger DJ. (2020) Optimal energy management for formula-E cars with regulatory limits and thermal constraints. Applied Energy, Volume 279, December 2020, Article number 1158050306-2619https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115805https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/15797In this paper, novel solutions are proposed for energy and thermal management in Formula-E cars using optimal control theory. Optimal control techniques are used to optimize net energy consumption (accounting for loss-reductions from energy recovery from regenerative braking) to achieve minimal lap time which is a crucial element in developing a competitive race strategy in Formula E races. A thermal battery model is used to impose thermal constraints on the optimal energy management strategy in order to realistically capture working constraints during a race. The effects of energy and thermal constraints on the proposed strategy are then demonstrated and two different pedal lifting techniques were introduced. Both the current second generation and a concept third generation type of formula-E cars are studied and compared. While third generation is significantly more efficient with 10% to 30% less energy consumption, it potentially faces more critical thermal issues with more than 60% more heat generation.enAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/thermal managementenergy managementlap time simulationoptimal controlFormula-E carArticle27971285