Co-sponsored by Freescale and dSPACE, Inc. and hosted at Freescale’s Oak Hill campus, EcoCAR 2 teams are participating in detailed sessions from competition organizers from General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory. Teams are also taking part in detailed training of sponsor-donated components and software tools from dSPACE, A123 Systems, Freescale, AVL Powertrain Engineering, CD-adapco, Siemens, and Vector.

Over the next few days, EcoCAR 2 teams will be put to the test as they prepare for their first in-person scored presentations, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Outreach, and Business.

Teams had the opportunity to set up their HILs on Wednesday afternoon.

“It was nice to see all of the different HIL set-ups for the teams,” said Whitney Belt, Mechanical Team Member for Purdue University. “We all have the same objective with HIL but each team took it their own unique way.

After a long day of travel, registration, and workshop set-up, teams and sponsors enjoyed a southern feast at Thurman Mansion catered by Salt Lick! As if devouring brisket, BBQ ribs, and southern side dishes weren’t enough, EcoCAR 2 teams heard remarks from co-hosts Freescale and dSPACE, Inc., as well as General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy.

EcoCAR 2 organizers hope teams and sponsors enjoyed the Welcome Dinner and are excited for the rest of the Winter Workshop in Austin, Texas!

As the chief mechanical engineer for the team, Matt was responsible for the development and testing of the team’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). It was his work with Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) that led Matt to intern in the Test Engineering Department at Ford’s Scientific Research Laboratory. It was here that he discovered the wonderful world of automotive Research and Development (R&D)

“Because of my involvement with AVTCs,” Matt said, “I already had some idea about automotive R&D, as well as experience with many of the software tools and concepts used in the automotive industry.” In 2000, Matt graduated from Michigan Tech and accepted a job with General Motors as a Fuel Cell Engineer in Honeoye Falls, New York.

“One of my first assignments was to automate some testing activities and this was very much in line with work I had done for APU development in the FutureCar program,” he said. “Even though I’m a mechanical engineer, I’ve spent most of my career working on control algorithm development for fuel cell and hybrid systems.”

After spending a few years traveling the world with his wife and daughter, including working on an international assignment for Opel in Germany, Matt is currently working for Volkswagen as a hybrid powertrain technical specialist in the main research and development center in Wolfsburg, Germany.

“My work over the past 12 years has been in research and development and in many ways continues to be an extension of my work in FutureCar,” Matt said.

Looking back on his time with the Michigan Tech FutureCar team, Matt can still remember his favorite and least favorite moments as if they were yesterday, including a small run-in with a police officer who didn’t know much about hybrids and a teammate’s high-voltage safety scare.

Matt says he likes the current format of AVTCs that follow General Motors’ vehicle development process.

“The format we used in FutureCar was so time-compressed that our designs were always a tradeoff between what we wanted to do and what we could actually accomplish in nine months,” he said. “When I look back at results, I am really amazed at what we did accomplish while taking college classes full-time.”

As for the future, Matt says he hopes to stay updated on EcoCAR 2 from the other side of the world.

“I still deeply enjoy my work and most days even look forward to getting up in the morning.  I love being in the lab, I love working with my hands and I’m eager to learn something new.  These are all passions that I attribute to my involvement with AVTCs.”

On Saturday, Tobias Eifler of dSPACE will teach teams how to model a parallel hybrid vehicle with dSPACE’s ASM software. Using a demo application and hands-on exercises, EcoCAR 2 teams will use the software for drivetrain modification and battery and E-Drive integration.

During Sunday’s training sessions, teams will be given an introductory workshop on HIL Test Automation with dSPACE’s AutomationDesk from Joe Cassar of dSPACE. This training session will focus on fundamental concepts of test automation projects and how to use AutomationDesk via hands-on exercises and web-based training.

dSPACE, Inc. is just one of many competition-level sponsors that will be providing education presentations and training sessions for students at the Winter Workshop in Austin. Other sponsors offering sessions include General Motors, Freescale, A123 Systems, AVL,  Siemens, CD-adapco, Vector.

William Wynn served as Austin’s Mayor from 2003-2009. Wynn also served on the Board of Director of Austin Energy, the ninth largest public power utility in the United States, for nine years. During his tenure as Mayor, Wynn oversaw the execution of two major power agreements, including the construction of a solar field in December 2011 and a biomass plant set to open in June 2012.

Under Wynn’s leadership as Mayor, Austin dramatically expanded both the requirements and market penetration of its green building program, nationally promoted plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, created the country’s most aggressive solar rebate program and dramatically increased its renewable energy portfolio and smart-grid initiative.

Wynn’s leadership in Austin did not go unnoticed. Throughout his tenure and beyond, Wynn received the Alliance to Save Energy’s prestigious Charles H. Percy Public Service Award; was named Austinite of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce; was named Energy Executive of the Year by the 9,000-member Association of Energy Engineers; was awarded Scenic Austin’s first annual Scenic Hero Award; was honored for Outstanding Achievement at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2007 Climate Protection Awards; and following Austin’s response to Hurricane Katrina, was named Local Public Official of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.

To learn more about our special guest speaker at the 2012 Winter Workshop Sponsor Social, visit http://www.willwynn.com/

Vasavada has always had an interest in vehicles. Growing up with a racing background, he worked on various Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing teams throughout high school.  When he was accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he immediately became involved in hybrid electric vehicle development and AVTCs.

“I must say, my favorite moment was winning the 1999 Futurecar Challenge by 300 points over the next competitor,” he said. “My least favorite moment was graduating and having to go to the real world.”

Upon graduation, Vasavada went to work for EFI Technology, a leading supplier of engine management and data acquisition systems. In 2003, he decided he wanted a change and founded Apex Speed Technology.

As founder and president of Apex Speed Technology, one of the largest suppliers of custom control, data logging and wiring harness systems for professional motorsports, high-end custom vehicles and R&D markets, Vasavada gets to witness first-hand the impact young engineers have on today’s vehicle technology.

“Some of the most successful engineers I know combine a technical background with the ability to work with their hands in the field,” he said, “and AVTCs teach this.”

Despite living 2,000 miles away from Wisconsin, Vasavada stays in touch with some of his former AVTC teammates. “The friendships I made during those days have endured,” he said. “I just spent New Year’s with our old electrical group leader!”

Today, Vasavada lives in Venice Beach with his wife and 14-month old son, in whom he tries to instill Wisconsin engineer ‘gumption’.  He appreciates what AVTCs have taught him and hopes he stays in contact with his former teammates for many years to come.

“AVTCs gave me a lot of practice working in the field of competitive environments,” he said. “I sometimes feel like my current career is a DOE AVTC.”

Sarah Jadwin (left) with her OSU teammates

By Sarah Jadwin, Ohio State University Outreach Coordinator

Let me just give you a little background about myself and my past experience with advanced vehicle technologies. Oh, wait…I had none.

When I first joined the EcoCAR team last year, I had no idea what I was getting into. At my first meeting with the team leaders, the only thing they were going to teach me was exactly how the car worked. I can honestly say that a minute after they started talking, I was completely lost. I remember being so overwhelmed by all the information, and they were only teaching me the basics!  While it was a huge challenge at first to understand the different engineering aspects behind the car, I eventually got it (and I’m still working on perfecting it).

After working with the team for about four or five months, it was easy to see the differences between the business team and the engineering team. Spending time around these differences and working through them first-hand made me realize something: We had to bridge the gap. My solution to this problem was an Engineering Sciences Minor. That’s right, the girl who knew nothing about cars and rarely took science classes, just declared an engineering minor!

This winter quarter, I started my first engineering classes. For me, it has truly been an eye-opener. I have thoroughly enjoyed looking at objects, situations and even our own EcoCAR vehicle, in a different way.  While this is a field that I know very little about, I am lucky that I can have a team of 40 engineers that will help me along the way!

Hosted by the Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association (HRADA), the show was held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in early January. HEVT was among the exhibitors featured in the front lobby display area. As a LEED Gold certified building, the convention center offered preferred parking for eco-friendly vehicles, which was something the team members thought was great!

“We consistently strive to make sure that our show is relevant to the consumer and our lobby display is a key component in our ability to show trends in the automotive industry,” said HRADA Events Producer and Show Director Peter Alexander. “I’ve been associated with the show for over twenty years now and there is a definite transition to lean and green.”

The auto show gave HEVT a chance to reach out to a new audience. “There were so many Virginia Tech alums who were proud to see Virginia Tech participating in an advanced vehicle technology competition such as EcoCAR 2,” said team leader Jon King. Many attendees had previous knowledge of HEVT and AVT competitions. Aside from Tech fans, attendees with general interest in sustainable vehicles also visited the HEVT table.

Lead Outreach Coordinator Rommelyn Conde spoke with an alumnus who recalled being introduced to electric vehicles in the 1970s. “While living in Blacksburg, he and his wife remember a local dealership on Main Street which sold ‘Elcars,’ a popular electric car produced by the Elcar Corporation,” Rommelyn said. “Comparing the ‘Elcar’ to the Chevy EcoCAR, he commented on how far technology has come.”

Sarah Kilbourne, an outreach coordinator for HEVT, took the opportunity to participate in GM’s Ride and Drive booth. She had the choice of test-driving a Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle. “I drove the Volt and found it amazingly smooth,” said Sarah. “There was a constant line to drive the Volt since it was in such high demand.” That comes as no surprise, since the Volt was just voted the “Most Earth-Friendly” vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show!

Peter Alexander added, “HEVT’s interaction with the public and ability to provide information and education about how the industry is evolving provides relevance for the show and helps us to keep the consumers coming back year after year.”

HEVT certainly enjoyed being a part of the 100^th anniversary of the Hampton Roads International Auto Show. The team extends its thanks to the event organizers and HRADA for a great weekend!

Attendees of CD-adapco’s training session will participate in hands-on STAR-CCM+ exercises for external aerodynamics and battery cooling.  For external aerodynamics, STAR-CCM+’s analysis capabilities – including best practices for models and mesh design, boundary conditions and solution control settings – will be presented.  For battery cooling, an introduction to conjugate heat transfer problems and an overview of STAR-CCM+’s Battery Simulation Module (BSM) will be discussed.

Teams will also hear presentations from Joe Salani and Brian Large of A123 Systems, including a brief course on Ground Fault Detection (GFD) that reviews why GFD is important, methods for GFDs and advice for troubleshooting Ground Faults. Teams will also learn about the Energy Storage System (ESS) deliverable for EcoCAR 2 and the process and outlines for design reviews.

CD-adapco and A123 Systems are just a few of the many competition-level sponsors that will be providing educational presentations and training for EcoCAR students at the  Winter Workshop in Austin, which runs from February 1-5, 2012. Other sponsors offering sessions include General Motors, dSPACE, Inc., Freescale, AVL, Siemens and Vector.

Profiles of all competing companies will be available soon at: http://energy.gov/topinnovator. Don’t forget to read up and vote!

Fleet managers who want to go green understand that they need to consider the Total Cost of Ownership to make decisions regarding vehicle purchases. For example, they weigh the higher initial cost of an electric vehicle (EV) versus its operational savings down the road.  They also want to know whether an EV will be capable of doing the job with enough range and charge capabilities.

The FleetCarma system is a unique way to determine the right vehicle for a job because it uses a simple-to-install OBD data logger to capture duty cycle and operational needs. That usage pattern is then fed to FleetCarma’s backend system, where it is run through a number of simulations depending on which vehicles are being considered for purchase. The results include the vehicle’s real-world fuel consumption and provide detailed analysis of potential replacement vehicles. In a nutshell, the system determines whether any electric vehicle will (a) do the job that is required and (b) offer worthwhile cost saving and emission reduction benefits.

FleetCarma’s head office is located in Waterloo, Ontario and the company employs several UWAFT alumni. UWAFT maintains an active relationship with the company, so the team was excited to use FleetCarma’s system to help select and test powertrain configurations and components for its EcoCAR 2 vehicle. UWAFT deployed FleetCarma’s data loggers on various vehicles to capture real-world drive cycles. These cycles were then reviewed for statistics such as daily driving distance, duration and driver aggressiveness. In total over 171,000 km of driving distance was captured, which resulted in 4,900 hours’ worth of driving data. These cycles were also fed into more than 20 vehicle models, where the projected real-world fuel consumption was measured and compared. For UWAFT, this helped design a vehicle that would achieve the best possible real-world fuel consumption and energy and emissions reductions

Stay tuned as UWAFT and the rest of the EcoCAR 2 teams announce their chosen vehicle architectures during the Winter Workshop in just three weeks!