Course code TraZ5025

Credit points 3

Alternative Energy Vehicles

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures12

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes0

Number of hours for laboratory classes12

Independent study hours57

Date of course confirmation07.02.2017

Responsible UnitInstitute of Engineering and Energetics

Course developers

author prof.

Dainis Berjoza

Dr. sc. ing.

author Inženiertehnikas un enerģētikas institūts

Ruslans Šmigins

Dr. sc. ing.

author Inženiertehnikas un enerģētikas institūts

Vilnis Pīrs

Dr. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

TraZ5028, Testing and Calculating of Vehicles

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide profound knowledge on electric vehicles and the structural, exploitational and experimental research aspects of vehicles powered on biofuels and other renewable energy sources. The course gives an economic and ecological comparison between alternative energy vehicles and traditional energy vehicles of analogues class.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Knowledge - students acquire a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge and understanding of alternative energy vehicles running on electricity, biodiesel fuel, rapeseed oil, hydrogen and compressed air, which also involves analyses of the structural, exploitation and experimental capabilities of such vehicles. Familiar with the classification and general structure of electric vehicles - Test 1.
2. Skills - students gain abilities to integrate and use their knowledge to choose and purposefully exploit alternative energy vehicles, identify defects during technical maintenance and conduct experiments. They learn to make qualitative comparisons between alternative and fossil energy vehicles, based on several criteria. Know operation principles of electric vehicles and necessary infrastructure - Test 2.

3. Competence - students can independently assess, choose and exploit various alternative energy vehicles and make qualitative and quantitative analyses of such vehicles, based on their technical characteristics or data obtained experimentally. Familiar with the operation principles of vehicles powered by different types of alternative fuel - Test 3. Able to plan and carry out experiments with alternative energy vehicles and alternative fuels - laboratories and practical works.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. History and development tendencies of alternative energy vehicles. (2h)
2. Types of alternative energy vehicles, classification by type of energy used. (2h)
3. Construction of electric vehicles and selection criteria. (2h)
4. Features and testing of electric vehicles. (2h)
5. Infrastructure for electric cars and its analysis. (2h)
6. Design and selection of biodiesel and rapeseed-powered vehicles. (2h)
7. Operation and testing of biodiesel and rapeseed-powered vehicles. (2h)
8. Design and selection of bioethanol-powered vehicles. (2h)
9. Operation and testing of bioethanol powered vehicles. (2h)
10. Construction, selection, operation and testing of hydrogen powered vehicles. (2h)
11. Construction and selection of compressed and liquefied gas vehicles. (2h)
12. Operation and testing of compressed and liquefied gas vehicles. (2h)
13. Engines powered by compressed air, solar energy, and other forms of energy. (2h)
14. Basic concepts, classification, economic and ecological importance of biofuels. (2h)
15. Production of bio-oil in centralized and decentralized plants. First generation biofuels. (2h)

16. Second and third generation biofuels. Life cycle of biofuels. (2h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Test with a mark.
All tests and practical work must be counted.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent preparation for tests and laboratory works. Preparation of laboratory reports

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The test score is based on the average score of the test marks.
Student can get a successful mark for test if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly.

Compulsory reading

1. Elektroenerģijas izmantošana spēkratos Latvijā. Zinātniskā monogrāfija. Jelgava: Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte, 2013. 426 lpp.. ISBN 978-9984-849-33-1 .
2. Research of the Exploitational and Infrastructural Parameters of Electric Vehicles. Monograph. Jelgava: Latvia University of Agriculture, 2013. 163 p. ISBN 978-9984-849-34-8
3. Leithman S., Brant B. Build Your Own Electric Vehicle. 2nd Edition. MC Graw Hill, 2009. 358 p.
4. Ehsani M., Gao Y., Emadi A. Modern Electric , Hybrid and Fuel Cell Vehicles. Fundamentals, Theory, and Design. London: Taylor & Francis Group, London, 2010. 558 p. Nav LLU FB.

5. Hordeski M. F. Alternative Fuels: The Future of Hydrogen. Second edition. CRC Press, 2008. 286 p.

Further reading

1. Anderson C.D., Anderson J. Electric and Hybrid Cars A History. North Carolina, and London: Mc Farland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Jefferson, 2010. 269 p.
2. Hodkinson R., Fenton J. Lightweight electric/ Hybrid Vehicle Design. Butterworth-Heinemann. Oxford, 2001. 280 p.
3. Larminie J. Electric Vehicle Technology Explained. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Oxford, 2003. 303 p.

4. Gulbis V. Iekšdedzes motoru biodegvielas. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 318 lpp. ISBN 978-9984-784-48-9.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Pistoia G. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2010. 652 p.
2. Biodegvielas izmantošanas iespējas Latvijā. ES proj. Nr. EIE/05/190/SI2.420028 „Bio-NETT – Developing local suply chain networks, linking bio-fuel producers with public sector users”. Rīga: Rīgas menedžeru skola, 2007. 99 lpp.

3. Biodegvielas rokasgrāmata: Labākie prakses piemēri Projekts „Bio-NETT – Developing Local supply chain networks, linking biofuel producers with publicē sectors users” Nr. EIE/05/190/S12.420028, Rīga, 2008. 114. lpp.

Notes

Option (B): TF Master's study program in Agricultural Engineering.