Design and Modelling of the Powertrain of a Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powertrain development and optimization, aiming to minimize hydrogen consumption. The vehicle is a prototype that run at the Shell Eco-marathon race and its powertrain is composed by a PEM fuel cell, supercapacitors and a DC electric motor. The supercapacitors serve as an energy buffer to satisfy the load peaks requested by the electric motor, allowing a smoother (and closer to a stationary application) working condition for the fuel cell. Thus, the fuel cell can achieve higher efficiency rates and the fuel consumption is minimized.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Several models of the powertrain were developed using MATLAB-Simulink and then experimentally validated in laboratory and on the track. The proposed models allow to evaluate two main arrangements between fuel cell and supercapacitors: 1) through a DC/DC converter that sets the FC current to a desired value; 2) using a direct parallel connection between fuel cell and supercapacitors.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">The results obtained with the direct parallel connection (with the appropriate sizing of the overall capacity) have highlighted a significant efficiency advantage, while the DC/DC converter insertion enables an improved control of the fuel cell current and requires a smaller capacitance.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Furthermore, a sizing methodology for the supercapacitors capacitance is proposed for both layouts: with the DC/DC converter it mainly depends on the energy range provided by supercapacitors to the electric motor, while in the direct parallel connection the supercapacitors sizing is outlined by concurrently evaluating the circuit’s predicted hydrogen consumption and granting the most suitable conditions to increase the fuel cell performance.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">Finally, the results obtained from the model were validated by comparing them with experimental data obtained in the laboratory and on the track.</div></div>

A Comprehensive Analysis of Online and Offline Energy Management Approaches for Optimal Performance of Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles

“…As the FCs have slower dynamics, their response to rapid acceleration and deceleration is inadequate, and its effect on the FC lifespan is also detrimental [17]. As a result, super capacitors or batteries are required as an energy storage technology for balancing energy, providing rapid energy demands, and storing excess energy available during regenerating braking and excess power generation by the FCs [18]. Compared to most traditional power systems, batteries and supercapacitors regulate energy to flow better and are typically advantageous in increasing vehicle efficiency [19].…”

Modeling, Simulation and Control Strategy Optimization of Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle

“…The possible configurations of a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) are (1) FCV-a pure fuel cell vehicle (without additional electrical energy storage), and (2) FCHEV-a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (solution with a battery or super-capacitor coupled with the fuel cell through DC/DC converter) [14]. The second one is also referred to as the Series hybrid-fuel cell configuration [15].…”

Control Strategy Assessment for Improving PEM Fuel Cell System Efficiency in Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles

“…Fuel cell vehicles have a basic construction and do not add much weight to the vehicle, but because of the delayed power response of the fuel cell, they need a higher power fuel cell stack and quick hydrogen/air delivery systems in order to satisfy the power requirements. Since supercapacitors have a more significant power density with respect to battery, FCVs with supercapacitors are more efficient in absorbing the regenerative braking energy and providing power in transients [9]. However, the most popular powertrain configuration among carmakers is with an energy storage unit coupled in parallel with the fuel cell through a DC/DC converter [10].…”