v2.0.0

Introduction

Starting from this release, we have switched to semantic versioning (Major.Minor.Patch), following the OpenModelica convention. The new series continues with "Major = 2" version number. It is important to note that the v2022.1.0-beta is an old release from last year.

Brief overview of the major upgrade release

Major changes

1. Library is upgraded to be compatible with OpenModelica v.1.20.
2. A new package, ComponentTesting, is introduced to the library.
3. Computational time reduced.

Minor changes

1. Changed bitmaps to vector graphics.
2. Restructuring of library following the Modelica structure.
3. Rolling force was re-introduced in the Vehicle model.
4. Removed i²R terms from heat sources in the thermal part for Fuel Cell and Battery models.

List of key features and improvements included in the upgrade

1. Performance indicating parameters such power and various efficiencies for vehicle, fuel cell stack, battery, and BOP components are introduced.
2. Introduced dynamic control of BOP components such as Air subsystem, Hydrogen subsystem and Cooling subsystem.
3. Faster simulations of fluids library from previous version.

New Features

1. Library upgrade: Virtual-FCS is upgraded to be compatible with OpenModelica v.1.20 and the Modelica Standard Library 4.0.0 (previously only up to OM v.1.14 and MSL 3.2.3). The three balance of plant subsystems, air, hydrogen, and cooling, all including fluid components such as pipes, valves, tanks, sinks, and pumps have been redeclared and partially remodelled to overcome compatibility issues with the latest Modelica fluid library. The medium packages are initialised and constrained more clearly which also enables designers to easily change initial conditions of models.
2. New class: A new package, ComponentTesting, is introduced to enable designers to debug larger models by testing simple models for single components.
3. Faster simulations are available due to faster default solver and library upgrades.
4. Changed bitmaps to vector graphic to avoid long and unreadable model files and any compilation bugs related to bitmap.
5. The library is restructured complying to the Modelica Standard library structure providing familiarity to users.
6. Calculations for power and efficiency for vehicle, fuel cell stack, battery, and BOP components is introduced to help users evaluate key performance indications.
7. Control of BOP components is now developed to dynamically respond to varying fuel cell load. This includes adding separate control blocks for different subsystem, which also enables users to change only parts of the system.

Bug Fixes

1. Modelica standard library’s fluid system model is required in the VirtualFCS library to use fluid components. In the previous version this was introduced at every level in Virtual-FCS which was redundant. This issue was resolved by only declaring the system at the top level by using the inner keyword and referring to the same system in the lower level by using the outer keyword. This improves stability of models and avoids confusion for users.
2. Fuel cell and Battery were never reaching the desired/expected temperature. This was fixed by altering the thermal parameters and change the cooling control to be dynamic.
3. Battery size in few models had incorrect voltage. Fixed this by changing the voltage for BOP components to be 24 V.
4. Selecting/deselecting to use regenerative breaking did not function. This was fixed.
5. Converted few classes to models to resolve OM-warnings.

Deprecated Features

• Library will now only support OpenModelica version 1.20
• Library will now only support Modelica Device Drivers version 2.1.1

Breaking Changes

• With this upgrade one cannot use OM older versions

Upgrade Instructions

1. Install OpenModelica v 1.20 from https://build.openmodelica.org/omc/builds/windows/releases/1.20/0/
2. Open the User interface -> File -> Manage Libraries -> Install Library -> Modelica Device Driver v 2.1.1
3. Download/Get latest code from https://github.com/Virtual-FCS/VirtualFCS
4. Load the VirtualFCS library.

Support and Feedback

• Users are encouraged to report their issues on https://github.com/Virtual-FCS/VirtualFCS/issues if they seek support or feedback.

Contributors

Full Changelog: v2022.1.0-beta...v2.0.0

List of contributors made the development of this release

@benjamsy @mikegerhardt

List of contributors who helped on the development of this release

@kvid @rakayash

Acknowledgements

@dietmarw helped on the development of this release.

Release date

• On date 19 January 2023 release was made available to the public.

v2022.1.0-beta

Version Control
Starting from this release, we have switched to calender versioning. This change was made due to the plans to release updates to the code in regular intervals. The version numbers adhere to the format YYYY.Major.Minor.

Notable Modifications
This release includes improvements which are focused on enhanced Battery and Fuel Cell models, User Interface, Model Documentation and Real-Time Emulation.

v0.2.1-beta

What's Changed

• Fixed bug in heat generation term by @mikegerhardt in #9
  • Minor documentation edits

Full Changelog: v0.2.0-beta...v0.2.1-beta

v0.2.0-beta

What's Changed

• Development by @jsimonclark in #5

  • Improved documentation of electrochemical models
  • Updated parameterization of electrochemical and vehicle models
  • Add joystick control and examples
  • Update encapsulation structure

• Bug fix in RangeExtenderHybridVehicle.mo by @jsimonclark in #6

• Bug fix in BatteryElectricVehicle_JoystickControl.mo by @jsimonclark in #7

Full Changelog: v0.1.0-beta...v0.2.0-beta

v0.1.0-beta: Initial Release

The first release of the VirtualFCS Modelica library (v0.1.0-beta) includes the basic components needed to model and simulate the performance of hybrid fuel cell power systems. The code will have a minor release every 3 months until the end of the project in December 2023.