Investigation of feasibility of integrating alternative energy sources in a roadside assistance vehicle

An energy audit was conducted on a RAC test vehicle to provide a reference for the amount of energy used by the typical RAC vehicle. It was paramount to the investigation that the vehicle be integrated with renewable energy technology that would not require a complete redesign of the current propulsion system. Technologies were selected based on their ability to be adopted by the existing power train in such a way that the only changes interpreted by the system´s control would be an additional supplement of energy generation. There were two renewable energy sources discussed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and thermoelectric generation. The thermoelectric generation however, was deemed too inefficient to consider for application thus simulation concerns the PV generation only. Simulations were conducted in ADVISOR to determine the benefit of the additional power source on the system. The final results determined from the experimental studies to the energy efficiency improvement of a RAC roadside assistance vehicle are to be taken as a feasibility study to influence further research into the work completed.