Mark Mennenga

Assessment of Automation Potentials for the Disassembly of Automotive Lithium Ion Battery Systems

Lithium ion batteries from electric vehicles contain lots of valuable materials (e.g. lithium, cobalt, copper). To successfully recover these materials the recycling process becomes crucial. In the recycling process, a central aspect is the mechanical disassembly, which needs to be automated to make the recycling economically viable. In this paper an integrated methodology is presented that enables the assessment of automation potentials for disassembly operations for automotive traction batteries. Based on a product analysis and a criteria catalogue, disassembly steps that are worth being automated, can be identified. Thus, decision making regarding the automation of single disassembly steps is supported.

Business Game for Total Life Cycle Management

Life Cycle Management (LCM) has established as research area to foster sustainability in all fields of action of organizations. To provide an understanding for this broad research area suitable teaching methods are required. This paper presents the concept for a business game based on the Framework for Total Life Cycle Management (TLCM). It enables participators to understand the interdependencies of four different management disciplines: product, production, after sales and end-of-life management. The educational objective is to continuously develop a holistic life cycle strategy. The game requires communication of all actors and reasonable activities towards sustainability. By that prospective managers can understand relationships and interdependencies of TLCM.

A Forecasting Model for the Evaluation of Future Resource Availability

Natural resource availability and scarcity have become a central concern for the mid- and long-term economic development. Much of this relies on non-renewable resources, which are limited in their total availability. The aim of this paper is to develop a quantitative forecasting model which evaluates future resource availability. A focus is set on non-renewable resources in Australia. The presented model is based on existing statistical approaches for predicting future resource availability. From its application possible implications for Australia are revealed. The general results are complemented with a brief case study that assesses the introduction of electric vehicles and its impact on resource availability.

The Transition to Alternative Powertrains: Concept for the Life-Cycle-Oriented Symbiosis of Technology, Product and Product Portfolio Planning

In this paper the decision situation of an automobile manufacturer (OEM), which alternative powertrains to promote, is presented by discussing the three planning levels technology, product and product portfolio planning, the interdependencies between the levels as well as the necessity to integrate a life-cycle perspective. Based on this, a concept for the life-cycle-oriented symbiosis of technology, product and product portfolio planning is developed. The concept consists of three planning modules each incorporating a life-cycle perspective: technology planning, product planning and product portfolio planning. Within each module, technologies, products and the resulting portfolio are analyzed, evaluated and selected according to the company objective(s). Referring to the developed concept, existing approaches to support the implementation and open challenges are discussed.Copyright

A Framework to Analyze the Reduction Potential of Life Cycle Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Passenger Cars

Automobile manufacturers are increasingly obligated to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their vehicle fleets. In this paper a framework to analyze the reduction potential of the life cycle CO2 emissions of passenger cars is developed. It comprises nine sub-modules - including macroeconomic and microeconomic oriented modules. For each module relevant elements to be considered are presented. Within a short case study the framework is applied to analyze the reduction potential of the CO2 emissions of passenger cars. The achieved results are discussed with respect to different technical and policy measures available in the US and German market.

Evaluation of the Recyclability of Traction Batteries Using the Concept of Information Theory Entropy

As traction battery technologies and electro mobility as a whole continue to grow in importance, the recyclability of batteries has increasingly gained attention in politics, industry and science. The aim of this paper is to broaden the understanding about the recycling of traction batteries by applying the concept of information theory entropy. To this end, information theory-based entropy indicators are used to determine the material mixing complexity of current and future battery chemistries used in electric vehicles. Through the integration of different economic metrics and with the help of additional related information on industrial, political and social influencing factors the recyclability of traction batteries is evaluated and the development of future battery recycling systems and policies is discussed. The results show that the proposed methodology is suitable for comparing different product technologies and that significant differences exist regarding the determining factors for the recyclability of different battery technologies.

Research for Sustainable Mobility—Fleets Go Green

Mobility is fundamental for trade and business, for science, culture and everyday life of people. An efficient transport system enables economic growth, promotes social exchange, creates more freedom and independence for each individual and thus makes a significant contribution to the quality of life. The planning and design of future mobility is associated with a multitude of fundamental challenges. Megatrends such as individualization tendencies, urbanization and aging of societies have a strong influence on future mobility concepts. In addition, technological developments like eco-efficient lightweight structures, electrification and digitalization and, last but not least, new business models on product-service systems and sharing economy lead to new vehicle and mobility concepts.

Recommendations from Fleets Go Green

Electric vehicles have the potential to reduce emissions from road transport, while releasing no local emissions during the use phase. The utilization of electric vehicles in fleet operations offers an excellent opportunity for the rapid diffusion of electric vehicles into the market due to the fast turnover rate of fleet vehicles. However, further research is necessary to examine the utilization of electric vehicles in daily use in order to recognize drawbacks and to determine further improvement potentials. The project Fleets Go Green aims to study the environmental assessment of electric vehicles in fleet operations. Fleets Go Green consists of different research modules, which investigate the integrated vehicle, usage, and power supply system behavior. The total energy requirements of fleet vehicle operations with different topologies over the use phase are determined in Module 1, while the user acceptance both from fleet owners and from drivers perspectives are researched in Module 2. Module 3 aims to integrate the electric vehicle fleets in the electrical distribution system and maximize the integration of renewable energy sources in their supply. The environmental assessment of fleets is studied in Module 4. Furthermore, all findings are integrated into a decision support system for the ecologically oriented fleet management and planning in Module 5.

Workshop Based Decision Support Methodology for Integrating Electric Vehicles into Corporate Fleets

Corporate vehicle fleet owners face new challenges through the introduction of electric vehicles to the automotive market. A fundamental understanding of the fleet tasks and a life cycle oriented evaluation are a prerequisite for the successful integration of alternatively powered vehicle concepts into corporate fleets. In order to enable fleet managers to respond to the arising challenges, a workshop based decision methodology for integrating electric vehicles into corporate fleets has been developed. Throughout the workshop, relevant aspects in life cycle oriented fleet planning are introduced to the participants, which help them assessing the current usage of the fleet and developing alternatives. A simulation based decision support system is used for evaluating the viability of alternative fleet configurations and deriving recommendations. The developed methodology can be applied to all kinds of fleet sizes. However, it was especially developed for small and medium sized companies. The methodology is presented within a case study for the fleet of a local energy supplier.

Cyber-Physischer Ansatz zur Planung von Elektroflotten

Flottenanwendungen bieten hervorragende Chancen zur schnellen und erfolgreichen Diffusion von Elektrofahrzeugen in den Markt. Rund 60% der jahrlichen PKW-Neuzulassungen in Deutschland entfallen auf Unternehmen und Selbstandige [1]. Nach der gewerblichen Erstnutzung werden die Fahrzeuge in der Regel nach wenigen Jahren in den Gebrauchtwagenmarkt uberfuhrt.