The recently published paper by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) presents the numerical analysis of the thermal performance of a truck cabin. The results obtained for a standard truck cabin setup are compared to the configurations with energy saving measures implemented. As a very promising energy efficiency measure, the application of the infrared panels is considered. Based on the radiative heat transfer mechanism, the infrared panels influence directly all inner cabin surfaces.
This includes also the truck cabin occupants, whose perception of the indoor comfort reaches neutral values much faster and at lower ambient air temperatures. As a result, there is much lower energy demand for the cabin heating, required for maintaining the desired indoor comfort. The preliminary numerical analysis indicate the energy saving potential of around 30% for this innovative cabin thermal concept, as compared to the original energy demand for the traditional cabin heating configuration.
Paper summary
The publication investigates innovative energy efficiency measures for enhancing the thermal performance of truck cabins, focusing on reducing energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort. Traditional cabin air conditioning systems are often oversized to compensate for poor insulation, leading to high energy demands. The authors develop a detailed thermal model of a truck cabin to simulate heat transfer mechanisms. Key components include the HVAC system and a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)-based comfort model, which evaluates indoor conditions by considering air and surface temperatures. The IR panels directly heat surfaces, ensuring rapid achievement of thermal comfort at lower air temperatures, thus reducing overall energy demand. Simulations consider both winter and summer scenarios to analyze the effects of these measures under varying conditions.
In winter, IR panels demonstrate significant energy savings, achieving up to 36% reduction in heating demand by swiftly raising surface temperatures and minimizing reliance on HVAC systems. For summer, enhanced insulation reduces cooling requirements, achieving energy savings of 6–14%. Annualized, these measures offer approximately 30% energy savings. The findings highlight the importance of integrating both active (IR panels) and passive (insulation) strategies to improve efficiency.
The study concludes by emphasizing the potential of these measures to extend e-truck driving range and reduce operating costs. The presented model offers a versatile tool for optimizing cabin thermal systems and could be integrated into real-time control frameworks for enhanced energy management.