Fuzzy Logic-Based Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Specialized Tractor

Agricultural tractors employed in vineyard, orchard and specialized cultivations are currently being investigated to assess their potential electrification, finding advantages and limitations to the adoption of electric and hybrid architectures. These vehicles, characterized by multiple loads, namely Power Take-Off (PTO), hydraulics, and auxiliaries, demand versatility and high maneuverability, and can be effectively considered all-purpose machines. In line with these electrification and hybridization trends, new architectures have been investigated and novel energy management strategies (EMS) have been implemented on-board for improved operations. In this paper, fuzzy logic is applied for the development of an effective rule-based energy strategy, aiming to optimize fuel consumption through engine operating point shift, while satisfying tractor loads and battery State-of-Charge (SOC) targets.