Dynamic modeling, design and simulation of a PEM fuel cell/ultra-capacitor hybrid system for vehicular applications

Fuel cell (FC) technologies are expected to become a viable solution for vehicular applications because they use alternative fuel converters and are environmentally friendly. However, a stand alone FC system may not be sufficient to satisfy the load demands, especially during cold start, peak demand periods or transient events, for vehicular applications. In addition, the FC system is not capable of being reversed for regenerative energy. An ultra-capacitor (UC) bank can supply a large burst of power but cannot store much energy. By operating the FC and UC in parallel, both steady state and peak power demands can be satisfied. Use of a FC/UC hybrid model provides a potential solution for better energy efficiency while reducing the cost of FC power technology. This paper describes a new modeling and design methodology for FC/UC hybrid vehicular power systems. A feasible design and a dynamic model have been presented for the proposed technique. Simulation results are presented, using the MATLAB®, Simulink® and SimPowerSystems® environments, based on the mathematical and electrical models of the proposed system.

[1]  Karl-Heinz Hauer,et al.  Analysis Tool for Fuel Cell Vehicle Hardware and Software (Controls) with an Application to Fuel Economy Comparisons of Alternative System Designs , 2001 .

[2]  R. Nelms,et al.  Using a Debye polarization cell to predict double-layer capacitor performance , 1999, Conference Record of the 1999 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. Thirty-Forth IAS Annual Meeting (Cat. No.99CH36370).

[3]  Roger A. Dougal,et al.  An actively controlled fuel cell/battery hybrid to meet pulsed power demands , 2004 .

[4]  Srdjan M. Lukic,et al.  Topological overview of hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicular power system architectures and configurations , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[5]  B. Conway.  Electrochemical Supercapacitors: Scientific Fundamentals and Technological Applications , 1999 .

[6]  Terrill B. Atwater,et al.  Fuel cell/electrochemical capacitor hybrid for intermittent high power applications , 1999 .

[7]  Tony Markel,et al.  ADVISOR: A SYSTEMS ANALYSIS TOOL FOR ADVANCED VEHICLE MODELING , 2002 .

[8]  R. Mark Nelms,et al.  Classical equivalent circuit parameters for a double-layer capacitor , 2000, IEEE Trans. Aerosp. Electron. Syst..

[9]  Giorgio Rizzoni,et al.  Supervisory control of fuel cell vehicles and its link to overall system efficiency and low-level control requirements , 2003, Proceedings of the 2003 American Control Conference, 2003..

[10]  K. Agbossou,et al.  Dynamic behavior of a PEM fuel cell stack for stationary applications , 2001 .

[11]  Marco Amrhein,et al.  Dynamic simulation for analysis of hybrid electric vehicle system and subsystem interactions, including power electronics , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[12]  M.S. Alam,et al.  Dynamic modeling, design, and simulation of a combined PEM fuel cell and ultracapacitor system for stand-alone residential applications , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[13]  R.A. Dougal,et al.  Power enhancement of an actively controlled battery/ultracapacitor hybrid , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

[14]  Ferdinand Panik,et al.  Fuel cells for vehicle applications in cars - bringing the future closer , 1998 .

[15]  R.W. De Doncker,et al.  Modeling the dynamic behavior of supercapacitors using impedance spectroscopy , 2001, Conference Record of the 2001 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. 36th IAS Annual Meeting (Cat. No.01CH37248).

[16]  Rik W. De Doncker,et al.  Modeling the dynamic behavior of supercapacitors using impedance-spectroskopy , 2002 .

[17]  Mohammad S. Alam,et al.  A dynamic model for a stand-alone PEM fuel cell power plant for residential applications , 2004 .

[18]  Giorgio Rizzoni,et al.  Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System Model for Automotive Vehicle Simulation and Control , 2002 .

[19]  Tore Undeland,et al.  Power Electronics: Converters, Applications and Design , 1989 .

[20]  Hubert A. Gasteiger,et al.  Handbook of fuel cells : fundamentals technology and applications , 2003 .

[21]  Paul Raymund Nicastri,et al.  Automotive vehicle control challenges in the 21st century , 2000 .

[22]  R. Mark Nelms,et al.  Analysis of double-layer capacitors supplying constant power loads , 2000, IEEE Trans. Aerosp. Electron. Syst..

[23]  Wenzhong Gao,et al.  Performance comparison of a fuel cell-battery hybrid powertrain and a fuel cell ultracapacitor hybrid powertrain , 2004, Power Electronics in Transportation (IEEE Cat. No.04TH8756).

[24]  R. M. Nelms,et al.  Modeling double-layer capacitor behavior using ladder circuits , 2003 .

[25]  P.N. Enjeti,et al.  An approach to achieve ride-through of an adjustable speed drive with flyback converter modules powered by super capacitors , 1999, Conference Record of the 1999 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. Thirty-Forth IAS Annual Meeting (Cat. No.99CH36370).

[26]  J. R. McDonald,et al.  An integrated SOFC plant dynamic model for power systems simulation , 2000 .

[27]  J. C. Amphlett,et al.  A model predicting transient responses of proton exchange membrane fuel cells , 1996 .

[28]  A. Burke.  Ultracapacitors: why, how, and where is the technology , 2000 .

[29]  E. Santini,et al.  A critical evaluation and design of bi-directional DC/DC converters for super-capacitors interfacing in fuel cell applications , 2004, Conference Record of the 2004 IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 2004. 39th IAS Annual Meeting..