Toward Global Optimization of Energy for Low Carbon Footprint Powertrain
by Prof. Dr. Sousso Kelouwani
About the Talk
Today, most gains in powertrain fuel economy come from optimizing energy consumption within the powertrain itself. However, these approaches have nearly reached their maximum potential. With the emergence of autonomous driving technologies, a new opportunity arises to further enhance powertrain efficiency by extending optimization beyond the vehicle’s hardware. By co‑optimizing speed and energy, transportation systems can become significantly smarter and more efficient. Identifying the optimal balance between travel speed and energy use allows vehicles to reduce fuel or electricity consumption with minimal impact on travel time. This synergy lowers operating costs, increases driving range, and reduces environmental footprint. Across applications—from public transit to freight logistics—joint speed‑energy optimization leads to smoother operations, improved reliability, and more sustainable movement of people and goods, all while preserving high performance where it matters most.
About the Speaker
SOUSSO KELOUWANI
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering | Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Canada Research Chair in Energy Optimization of Intelligent Transport Systems
Senior Member, IEEE
Dr. Kelouwani received the Ph.D. degree in robotics systems from École Polytechnique de Montréal in 2011. He completed his Postdoctoral Internship on fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles with Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) in 2012. He developed expertise in the optimization and the intelligent control of vehicular applications.
He has been a Full Professor of Mechatronics with the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2017, and a member of the Hydrogen Research Institute. He holds four patents in U.S. and Canada. He has published more than 100 scientific articles. His research interests include optimizing energy systems for vehicle applications, advanced driver assistance techniques, and intelligent vehicle navigation taking into account Canadian climatic conditions.
He is the Canada Research Chair of Energy Optimization of Intelligent Transport Systems and the Divel Research Chair of Intelligent Navigation of Autonomous Industrial Vehicles.
He was a Co-President and a President of the Technical Committee of the IEEE International Conferences on Vehicular Power and Propulsion in Chicago, USA, in 2018, and Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2019.
Awards & Recognition
He is the Winner of the Canada General Governor Gold Medal, in 2003, and a member of the Order of Engineers of Quebec. In 2019, his team received the First Innovation Prize in partnership with DIVEL, awarded by the Association des Manufacturiers de la Mauricie et Center-du-Québec for the development of an autonomous and natural navigation systems. In 2017, he received the Environment Prize from the Gala des Grands Prix d'excellence en transport, the Association québécoise du Transport (AQTr), for the development of hydrogen range extenders for electric vehicles.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
🕞 Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Engineering Lounge (EN) 4000, St. John's Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
Attendance is free of charge and open to all. Students, researchers, engineers, and professionals are welcome to join either in person or online. The virtual meeting link will be provided exclusively to registered participants on the day of the event. RSVP is required to attend. Please confirm your attendance in advance to secure your spot.
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- St. John's Campus
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Canada
- Building: Engineering
- Room Number: 4000 (Lounge)
- Starts 13 March 2026 02:30 AM UTC
- Ends 17 March 2026 02:30 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge