The concept addressed by SMARTOP is to develop an autonomous smart roof integrating solar cells (PV), energy storage systems and auxiliaries as thermoelectric (TE) climatic control, electrochromic (EC) glazing, courtesy LEDs lighting and actuators able to increase comfort and fuel economy for both fully electrical (FEV) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

 

The electrical loads of present automobiles are related to multimedia, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), body electronics (power windows and heated backlight) and lighting (exterior and interior) and their consumption is above 3 kW.

On a FEV electrical auxiliaries are supplied by the batteries pack resulting in increased mass installed to guarantee reasonable covered ranges from 50 to 100 km; the power consumption of any kind of auxiliary contributes to reduce this range and to decrease the battery lifetime.

 

SMARTOP addresses the needs of vehicle electrification integrating on board power hungry devices and matching the comfort and safety customer expectations.