Lowering consumption and emissions, while at the same time raising convenience, safety and performance: the requirements to be met by the developers of combustion engines have become ever more complex in recent decades. In order to optimise every detail of the powertrain in the future, too, collaborative research on complete systems has become a decisive factor.

»In the Planning Group, we develop new methods and tools that can be used throughout the development process, which allow an easy combination of simulation with real measurements. This is the only way to achieve the optimum for each individual powertrain component and the overall system.« | Dr Peter Riegger (Rolls-Royce Solutions)

After all, the real-world consumption and raw emission values of engines in motor vehicles, construction machinery or marine applications are dependent on a multitude of factors. Exhaust gas recirculation, turbocharging and injection have a decisive influence here, which is why they are the subject of many of the planning group’s research projects. Ancillary engines and the coolant temperature also make a difference; therefore, the researchers from the planning group also closely examine factors including heat transport in IC engines and its influence on friction and emissions. The individual research fields include the recovery of lost energy and the control, regulation and sensor systems of combustion engines. The planning group also evaluates the potential of new technologies and alternative powertrains such as hybrids. By doing so, the FVV researchers are looking far into the future of mobility.

PG1 »System« is dedicated to the following topics:

• Future engine concepts, hybridisation
• Alternative fuels
• Digitalisation in the powertrain
• Life-cycle analyses

And tackles the following lines of research / focuses:

• System analysis of new technologies, alternative powertrains and fuels
• Recovering lost energy
• (Ultra-low) temperature management
• Control, regulation, sensors
• Turbocharging
• Large and nonroad engines