Efficiency maximization of fuel cell electric bus using asymmetric multi-stack fuel cells.

Area of Science:

• Sustainable Transportation
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Automotive Engineering

Background:

• Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are crucial for eco-friendly transportation.
• Multi-stack fuel cell (MFC) systems offer improved efficiency, reliability, and durability over single-stack systems.
• Optimizing energy management in FCEVs is key to maximizing performance and reducing emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a novel asymmetric multi-stack fuel cell (MFC) concept for fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).
• To maximize the operational efficiency of FCEBs by leveraging an asymmetric MFC structure.
• To determine the optimal energy distribution strategy for the proposed MFC system.

Main Methods:

• A novel asymmetric MFC concept with a cascade electrical architecture using differently rated power stacks was designed.
• Optimal energy distribution between stacks was determined to utilize high-efficiency areas across the power range.
• Dynamic programming was employed as a global optimization technique for the energy management strategy.
• The FCEB performance was simulated using Manhattan, Hanoi, and Seoul bus driving cycles.

Main Results:

• The proposed asymmetric MFC system demonstrated enhanced efficiency compared to conventional FCEB designs.
• Optimal energy distribution facilitated the use of fuel cell stacks in their high-efficiency zones.
• Simulations showed a significant reduction in total fuel consumption for the proposed FCEB.
• The effectiveness of the energy management strategy was validated across diverse driving cycles.

Conclusions:

• The novel asymmetric MFC concept offers a viable strategy for improving the fuel efficiency of FCEBs.
• This approach enables FCEBs to operate more sustainably by minimizing fuel usage.
• The study confirms the potential of optimized MFC systems in advancing electric bus technology.