Application of parallel chaos optimization algorithm for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle design

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have been offered as alternatives that could greatly reduce fuel consumption relative to conventional vehicles. A successful PHEV design requires not only optimal component sizes but also proper control strategy. In this paper, a global optimization method, called parallel chaos optimization algorithm (PCOA), is used to optimize simultaneously the PHEV component sizes and control strategy. In order to minimize the cost, energy consumption (EC), and emissions, a multiobjective nonlinear optimization problem is formulated and recast as a single objective optimization problem by weighted aggregation. The driving performance requirements of the PHEV are considered as the constraints. In addition, to evaluate the objective function, the optimization process is performed over three typical driving cycles including Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWFET), and New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for reducing the fuel cost, EC and emissions while ensuring that the vehicle performance has not been sacrificed.