Simulation Powering Destination Zero

Bob Tickel

Senior Expert

Cummins Engine Company - Technical Center

(This has been a keynote presentation at the NAFEMS World Congress 2023.)

The automotive, transportation, off-highway and power generation industries are aggressively pursuing zero/near-zero emissions products. As a power provider for a vast array of markets, regions, customers, etc., Cummins must be positioned to provide the right powertrain at the right time for the specific needs of a diverse set of customers and applications. These needs will be evolving with time and even be specific to a particular customer duty cycle and location in the world. Given a "well-to-wheels" (WTW) focus on decarbonization, the source of the fuel or energy pathway must be factored into the unique powertrain solution being provided to a customer. While zero carbon emissions may be achieved at a machine level, the source of energy will potentially drive carbon emissions in the wrong direction given a WTW view. For example, a specific mining site will have unique pathways for different fuels or electricity each having a varying cost and carbon footprint.

This will drive unique infrastructure and powertrain solutions that considers the trade-off between TCO and carbon emissions over time. Cummins must have technological diversity for powertrains along with tools that help customers make the best decisions to hit their success business, environmental, etc. goals. Modeling and simulation have been key enablers for the success of Cummins and its customers in the past and will play an even more important role moving into the future. Additional capability, along with the depth already in place, is required in terms of skills, tools, and processes for all potential technologies. Managing complexity, improving engineering efficiency, increasing agility, and ensuring complementary physical measurements are all key for Cummins to excel and modeling and simulation will be central to them all.