Speaker Interviews:
High Performance Powertrains 2018

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

I am Director for the Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) at Coventry University. Aside from looking at alternative propulsion systems such as battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell based powertrains we develop concepts for zero-impact mobility based on internal combustion engines by intelligently combining hybridisation, advanced aftertreatment and novel combustion concepts.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

The key challenge for powertrain engineers is the increased complexity of powertrain development. Hybridization, RDE requirements and enhanced powertrain variabilities offer unprecedented degrees of freedom for development and optimization but on the development cycles are getting shorter.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?

At Coventry University we are building a new, 17-million GBP powertrain laboratory in the Coventry University Technology Park, the centre for advanced low-carbon propulsion systems (C-ALPS), which showcases our cooperation with FEV, the leading automotive engineering company. The facility will become operational at the end of this year. This enables us to evaluate, develop and validate our ideas for sustainable powertrains of the future in joint research projects.

What do see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years?

The future of powertrain engineering will be exciting. The battery electric powertrain will enter large volume production and by that a new competitor for internal combustion engine based powertrains arrives. This will drive new methods of assessment on the environmental impact of different powertrain concepts and will potentially facilitate new alliances between electricity providers, mineral oil companies, automotive OEM’s and academia to determine the most carbon-efficient energy carriers and conversion methods.

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

I am passionate about the freedom of technological choice. By presenting at this conference, I want to spread confidence, that internal combustion engine based powertrains have a huge potential to meet future legislative requirements and are a very attractive proposition in terms of cost and capability.

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

The session increasing efficiency and fuel economy will be really interesting as it targets one of the most important challenges for internal. The introduction of fuels from renewable sources in the future will increase fuel costs making highly efficient internal combustion engines an essential requirement.

Thomas Lee graduated at Coventry University, BEng(Hons) in Automotive Engineering Design. For the last 10 years he has worked as a mechanical design engineer with vehicle manufacturers and 1st tier suppliers across different systems; steering, interior, transmission and now recently in engine. Over time his main role has change from technical to programme management but he’s never far away from supporting key technical decisions within the business.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

Mechanical design engineer, leading into technical programme manager for powertrain companies in transmission and engines.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

Meeting emission legislation and environmental impact for the life of the vehicle (include manufacturing and recycling). 

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?

Return of the Wankel rotary engine in automotive as hybrid powertrain.

More Wankel rotary engines in motorsport.

What do see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years?

Continuation of combustion engine, especially diesel.

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

Showcasing that Wankel still has its place as viable motor.

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

"Towards Ultimate Emissions Reduction and Efficiency Improvement" and "Lambda 1 Operation for High Performance Engines".

Why should automotive engineers join this seminar?

Increase their knowledge and understanding as someone is likely to have done or is doing what you are thinking.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

At Williams Advanced Engineering we design entire electrical powertrains – motors, power electronics, transmissions and batteries are all designed in-house. For the most part I primarily deal with 2 areas – batteries and inverters - as for most customers an off-the-shelf motor and transmission make sense. So predominantly I’m responsible for establishing the appropriate battery and control technologies to deliver what our customers need.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

I think that for the most part the challenges arise from understanding how components should be specified for an application. I think this may have always been the case but perhaps the necessary compromises that arise in an electrified powertrain are different to those found in ICE powertrains. For example, a compromise must generally be made between power and energy in batteries, and this is becoming truer over time as cells begin to focus on these different attributes. So, focus has moved from the engine to define the compromise to the fuel source and so a broader system wide approach is now important.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?

Batteries are moving at such a pace at the moment that I think this is a very exciting area of technology. We are very focussed on our plans to deliver the highest performance batteries and systems to our customers.

What do see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years?

I think that the current revolution in vehicle design, taking advantage of the new powertrain technologies that are available, will accelerate as designers understand how they can design vehicles in a completely different way to take advantage of that.

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

Hearing the other speakers! These events always enable shared learning across areas and sectors, which is very valuable.

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

I have a certain fondness for the Ford Ecoboost engine, having been involved in a project which I suspect tried this technique out for the first time on their engine. I’m looking forward to hearing about that most of all.

7. Why should automotive engineers join this seminar?

The powertrain remains at the cutting edge of technology development – everyone should be interested.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

I have been supporting companies in developing and optimizing powertrain systems using advanced methods in virtual prototyping and Computer Aided Engineering to increase innovation capabilities, improve design efficiency and reduce prototyping costs.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

The search for completely new solutions (like electrification) or to pushing the limits of existing solutions, together with increasingly short delivery time, is in my opinion the biggest challenge. With this in mind, the development of new products must be supported by advanced design tools, like virtual prototyping and optimization software.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?

Staying in the field of simulation and virtual prototyping, three years ago I was asked if I could simulate the lubrication of a powertrain system in 3 days. At that time it was a real challenge, but we accepted and we succeeded. Today, the same or even a more accurate solution can be done in 1 day and it is now considered as standard work. The pace in which simulation tools are evolving is incredibly fast and exciting.

What do see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years?

Looking at the challenges our customers are facing in this sector, like conflicting objectives related to performances, time, cost and competition, I really think that powertrain engineering will make extensive use of Computer Aided Engineering to find innovative solutions, reduce physical prototypes, and predict what cannot be tested. Just keep in mind that behind any engineering tool, there must be a knowledgeable engineer in powertrain and who can understand capabilities and limits of the tool.

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

In addition to sharing what can be achieved and what we have done in the last three years in terms of powertrain systems simulation with different companies. I am also eager to gain feedback and look forward to engaging discussions

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

I am most looking forward to the "increasing efficiency and fuel economy" session.

James Turner is Professor of Engines and Energy Systems at the University of Bath. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of internal combustion engines, and is a specialist in the field of spark-ignition combustion, pressure charging, alcohol fuels and engine/fuel interactions. In addition to his specializations, his main area of interest is renewable energy and its application to the transport sector, with particular emphasis on the use of and possibilities afforded by alcohol fuels. He spent over 21 years working at Lotus Engineering, and has also worked at Norton Motorcycles, Cosworth and Jaguar Land Rover.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

I am Professor of Engines and Energy Systems at the University of Bath, where I run advanced engine projects, supervise engine and fuel PhDs, and teach advanced engine engineering.  Prior to moving into academia three years I spent my career in engine development and powertrain research at Lotus, Cosworth and JLR.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

The primary challenge is to reduce the carbon footprint of powertrains – both in terms of the fuel that they use, and the impact that their manufacture has on the planet.  So getting Life-Cycle Analysis accepted as the true metric for comparison of all powertrain concepts is of vital importance.  Beyond this, correcting erroneous comments made in the public domain regarding emissions levels and air quality is a less objective but crucial element that needs to be addressed.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general? 

Personally I think the development of carbon-neutral liquid fuels is the most important thing, but this has and is likely to be a slow process since the price of a ton of CO2 is so low.  In engines themselves there are many promising technologies; the one I follow with most interest is the opposed-piston 2-stroke engine.

What do you see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years? 

The increased integration of the engine and hybrid system. This will simultaneously reduce costs, emissions, and fuel consumption both on a powertrain and a vehicle level (versus a current hybrid powertrain configuration).

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

As ever, seeing the latest developments and interacting with those developing them.  The event will doubtless trigger some new ideas for many people.

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

All of them!
 
Why should automotive engineers join this seminar?

To see the latest developments in the field and to understand some of how the industry is reacting to the challenges it faces in a practical way.

Mike Bassett graduated from Bristol University in 1993, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He then studied for a PhD at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST,) focusing on the 1D modelling of internal combustion engines. Mike joined Lotus Engineering in 2000, where he worked in the Software Development Department. He moved to MAHLE Powertrain in 2007 to join the performance analysis group and is currently Chief Engineer in the Research and Advanced Engineering Group, where he is responsible for leading MAHLE Powertrain’s research activities in the UK.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in Powertrain engineering?

I lead MAHLE Powertrain’s research activities within the UK. Our main focus has been gasoline engine development, especially in terms of high-specific output engines and downsizing. Our current activities also focus on hybridisation (mild and plug-in at 48V and higher) and also full electric drivetrains, vehicle cooling and ancillaries.

In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers specialising in powertrains?

The main focus over the coming years will be focused on meeting fleet CO2 targets.  Currently legislation favours increased electrification (off-board electricity counts as zero CO2).  Increasing fleet electrification in a way that provides consumers a desirable product, at an acceptable price, and in a way that is truly environmentally beneficial is a major logistical and engineering challenge.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general? 

There are some very interesting developments happening in the field of IC engines – considerable efficiency improvements are being realised through the various lean combustion systems that are being developed. However, I think there will be big strides to be made in bio and renewable fuels – the benefits offered by these technologies are that they could give immediate benefits in CO2 reduction, without the reliance of waiting for the existing global vehicle fleet to be replaced with a newer technology.  These fuels are also quite suited to extremely downsizied engines – allowing greater levels of specific output too!

What do you see for the future of powertrain development and engineering over the next 5 – 10 years? 

A big focus on meeting fleet CO2 targets and making sure that vehicles are able to meet emissions compliance during the new RDE test procedure.

What are you most looking forward to by presenting at High Performance Powertrains?

I hope that there will be some lively discussions prompted by the presentations. 

Which sessions are you most looking forward to hearing?

I think the panel discussion at the end of the conference will be most interesting, prompted by the discussions over the course of the day.  I am especially interested to hear what technologies the panellists are advocating for future research investment.
 
Why should automotive engineers join this seminar?

It contains a good mix of presentations that cover the key challenges currently facing the industry.