Online Health-Conscious Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Multi-Stack Fuel Cell Vehicle Based on Game Theory

Abstract

The use of multiple low-power fuel cells (FCs), instead of a high-power one, in the powertrain of a FC-hybrid electric vehicle (FC-HEV) has recently received considerable attention. This is mainly due to the fact that this configuration can lead to higher efficiency, durability, and reliability. However, the added degrees of freedom require an advanced multi-agent energy management strategy (EMS) for an effective power distribution among power sources. This paper puts forward an EMS based on game theory (GT) for a multi-stack FC-HEV with three FCs and a battery pack. GT is a wellapproved method for characterizing the interactions in multiagent systems. Unlike the other strategies, the proposed EMS is equipped with an online identification system to constantly update the time-varying characteristics of the power sources. The performance of the suggested strategy is investigated through two case studies. Firstly, a comparative study with two other EMSs, dynamic programming (offline), and a competent rulebased strategy (online), is conducted to realize the capability of GT. Secondly, to justify the necessity of online system identification, the degradation effect of each power source on the EMS performance is examined. The carried-out studies show that the total cost (hydrogen consumption and degradation) of the proposed strategy is almost 6% better than the rulebased EMS while keeping a reasonable difference with dynamic programming. Moreover, health unawareness of power sources can increase the hydrogen consumption up to 7% in the studied system.

Multi-Criteria Ranking of Z-Source Inverter Topologies for a Three-Wheel Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle

“…Hybridization with an energy storage system (ESS) through power electronic converters is vital in fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (FC-HEVs). In this regard, conventional two-stage inverters, comprising dc-dc converters and inverters, are frequently used in these vehicles [1], [2]. However, they operate with high-voltage stresses, large conduction losses, poor reliability, and deadtime requirements owing to their long duty cycles.…”