Mathematical Modeling Of Pem Fuel Cell Power Module And Ultra-capacitor For Vehicular Power System

Abstract

Fuel cells (FC) are widely recognized as one of the most promising technologies to meet future power requirements of vehicular applications. However, a FC system combined with some energy storage systems (ESS) can perform better for vehicle propulsion as considering several points. As the additional ESS can fulfill the transient power demand fluctuations, the FC system can be downsized to fit the base power demand without facing peak loads. Because batteries have low power densities and limited lifetimes in highly cyclic applications, ultra capacitors may be the ESS medium of choice. Ultra-capacitor (UC) bank, on the other hand, can supply a large burst of power but cannot store much energy. The goal of this study is to combine an experimental validated fuel cell model which is capable of characterizing fuel cell steady state performance as well as dynamic behavior with an ultra-capacitor bank model. The experimental results have been obtained from a Nexa™ PEM fuel cell power module under different load conditions. Based on this model, a simulator software package has been developed using the MATLAB® and Simulink® software and Simulation results have been carried out.