Fuel-cell sharing for a distributed hybrid power system

This paper investigates the benefits of sharing a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in a distributed hybrid power system. The PEMFC is usually used as backup power in stationary hybrid power systems; however, in that scenario, it might be working only 2% of the time while incurring 20% of the system expenses. Therefore, this paper examines the potential of sharing a PEMFC among multiple power systems. We develop a distributed hybrid power system that comprises several immovable power stations and a fuel-cell vehicle (FCV). Each power station is equipped with solar panels and batteries, while the FCV contains a PEMFC module and can move among the stations to provide sustainable power as needed. We propose power management strategies and show that the total system costs can be significantly reduced by 10.83% and 17.89% when sharing one FCV between three and twelve power stations, respectively. We also design experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed distributed hybrid power system. In the future, the developed model can be extended to provide further cost reductions by optimizing distributed hybrid power systems with multiple FCVs.     

The development of an exchangeable PEMFC power module for electric vehicles

This paper develops an exchangeable fuel-cell power module that is replaceable on different light electric vehicles (LEVs). The module consists of a proton exchange membrane fuel-cell (PEMFC) and two battery sets, which provide continuous power for LEVs. The study includes three topics: fuel-cell control, power management, and system modularization and vehicle integration. First, we design robust controllers for the PEMFC to provide a steady voltage or current for charging the battery sets. Second, we develop a serial power train that can provide continuous power for driving the vehicle motors. Third, we modularize a power system that can be easily implemented on different LEVs. We build the system on Matlab™ SimPowerSystem for simulation before road tests, and integrate the power module onto a mobility car and an electric motorbike for experimental verification. Based on the results, the proposed systems are deemed effective.     

Energy management of a fuel cell/ultracapacitor hybrid power system using an adaptive optimal-control method

Energy management of a fuel cell/ultracapacitor hybrid power system aims to optimize energy efficiency while satisfying the operational constraints. The current challenges include ensuring that the non-linear dynamics and energy management of a hybrid power system are consistent with state and input constraints imposed by operational limitations. This paper formulates the requirements for energy management of the hybrid power system as a constrained optimal-control problem, and then transforms the problem into an unconstrained form using the penalty-function method. Radial-basis-function networks are organized in an adaptive optimal-control algorithm to synthesize an optimal strategy for energy management. The obtained optimal strategy was verified in an electric vehicle powered by combining a fuel-cell system and an ultracapacitor bank. Driving-cycle tests were conducted to investigate the fuel consumption, fuel-cell peak power, and instantaneous rate of change in fuel-cell power. The results show that the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle is significantly improved relative to that without using the optimal strategy.     

Review and comparison study of hybrid diesel/solar/hydro/fuel cell energy schemes for a rural ICT Telecenter

In this paper, the rural electrification study of an ICT Telecenter in particular reference to the Kelabit Highland of Sarawak is presented. The use of diesel generator and its associated environmental implications is first discussed. The cost-effectiveness of the present solar PV system and the solar/hydro schemes for rural electrification of the rural ICT are evaluated employing the HOMER simulation software, considering sustainability factors such as system efficiency, weather, fuel costs, operating and maintaining costs. Subsequently, simple novel Hybrid Energy Performance Equations and the associated Energy Performance Curves are derived and introduced, respectively, which provide a visualization model, simplifying hybrid system analysis. Results obtained in this study have shown that combined power schemes is more sustainable in terms of supplying electricity to the Telecenter compared to a stand-alone PV system due to prolong cloudy and dense haze periods. The hybrid systems can have efficiency range of ∼15%–75% compared to PV stand-alone of only ∼10%, indicating hybrid systems are more reliable and sustainable – in minimizing both energy losses and excess energy.     

Thermal analysis and management of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks for automotive vehicle

The thermal management of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is crucial for fuel cell vehicles. This paper presents a new simulation model for the water-cooled PEMFC stacks for automotive vehicles and cooling systems. The cooling system model considers both the cooling of the stack and cooling of the compressed air through the intercooler. Theoretical analysis was carried out to calculate the heat dissipation requirements for the cooling system. The case study results show that more than 99.0% of heat dissipation requirement is for thermal management of the PEMFC stack; more than 98.5% of cooling water will be distributed to the stack cooling loop. It is also demonstrated that controlling cooling water flow rate and stack inlet cooling water temperature could effectively satisfy thermal management constraints. These thermal management constraints are differences in stack inlet and outlet cooling water temperature, stack temperature, fan power consumption, and pump power consumption.     

System design and control strategy of the vehicles using hydrogen energy

This paper presented a system design review of fuel cell hybrid vehicle. Fuel supply, hydrogen storage, DC/DC converters, fuel cell system and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle configurations were also reviewed. We explained the difference of fuel supply requirement between hydrogen vehicle and conventional vehicles. Three different types of hydrogen storage system for fuel supply are briefly introduced: high pressure, liquid storage and metal oxides storage. Considering of the potential risk of explosion, a security hydrogen storage system is designed to restrict gas pressure in the safe range. Due to the poor dynamic performance of fuel cells, DC/DC converters were added in hybrid vehicle system to improve response to the changes of power demand. Requirements that in order to select a suitable DC/DC converter for fuel-cell vehicles design were listed. We also discussed three different configurations of fuel-cell hybrid vehicles: “FC + B”, “FC + C”, and “FC + B + C”, describing both disadvantages and advantages. “FC + B + C” structure has a better performance among three structures because it could provide or absorb peak current during acceleration and emergency braking. Finally, the energy management strategies of fuel cell and were proposed and the automotive energy power requirement of an application example was calculated.     

An improved energy management strategy for FC/UC hybrid electric vehicles propelled by motor-wheels

The hybridization of the fuel-cell electric-vehicle (FCEV) by a second energy source has the advantage of improving the system's dynamic response and efficiency. Indeed, an ultra-capacitor (UC) system used as an energy storage device fulfills the FC slowest dynamics during fast power transitions and recovers the braking energy. In FC/UC hybrid vehicles, the search for a suitable power management approach is one of the main objectives. In this paper, an improved control strategy managing the active power distribution between the two energy sources is proposed. The UC reference power is calculated through the DC link voltage regulation. For the FC power demand, an algorithm with five operating modes is developed. This algorithm, depending on the UC state of charge (SOC) and the vehicle speed level, minimizes the FC power demand transitions and therefore ameliorates its durability. The traction power is provided using two permanent magnetic synchronous motor-wheels to free more space in the vehicle. The models of the FC/UC vehicle system parts and the control strategy are developed using MATLAB software. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed energy management strategy.     

Fuel cell system with sodium borohydride as hydrogen source for unmanned aerial vehicles

In this study, we design and fabricate a fuel cell system for application as a power source in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The fuel cell system consists of a fuel cell stack, hydrogen generator, and hybrid power management system. PEMFC stack with an output power of 100 W is prepared and tested to decide the efficient operating conditions; the stack must be operated in the dead-end mode with purge in order to ensure prolonged stack performance. A hydrogen generator is fabricated to supply gaseous hydrogen to the stack. Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is used as the hydrogen source in the present study. Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst is prepared for the hydrolysis of the alkaline NaBH₄ solution at room temperature. The fabricated Co catalyst is comparable to the Ru catalyst. The UAV consumes more power in the takeoff mode than in the cruising mode. A hybrid power management system using an auxiliary battery is developed and evaluated for efficient energy management. Hybrid power from both the fuel cell and battery powers takeoff and turning flight operations, while the fuel cell supplies steady power during the cruising flight. The capabilities of the fuel-cell UAVs for long endurance flights are validated by successful flight tests.     

Two-stage stochastic-based scheduling of multi-energy microgrids with electric and hydrogen vehicles charging stations,considering transactions through pool market and bilateral contracts

In order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency, sustainable energy systems such as multi-energy microgrids (MEMGs) with the high penetration of renewable energy resources (RES) and satisfying different energy needs of consumers have received significant attention in recent years. MEMGs, by relying on renewable resources and energy storage systems along with energy conversion systems, play an essential role in sustainability of energy supply. However, renewable energies are uncertain due to the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy sources. Thus, optimal operation of the MEMGs with the consideration of the uncertainties of RES is necessary to achieve sustainability. In this paper, risk constrained scheduling of a MEMG is carried out with the presence of the PV, wind, biomass, electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles (HVs) charging stations, combined heat and power (CHP), boiler, hydrogen electrolyzer (HE), cryptocurrency miners (CMs), electrical, thermal and hydrogen storage systems, responsive demands. From the trading and business model side, the proposed MEMG optimized operation relies on bilateral contracts between producers and consumers and pool electricity markets. A two-stage stochastic programming method is used for considering the uncertainties of electrical, thermal and hydrogen demands, EV and HV charging stations load, CM load, PV and wind power, and the price of electricity purchased from the pool market. The proposed mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is solved using the CPLEX solver in GAMS which guarantees to achieve a globally optimal solution. The results show that due to the certain prices of bilateral contracts, the possibility of transaction by bilateral contracts decreases the risk metric CVaR by 50.42%. The simulation results demonstrate that risk of high operation costs while considering flexibility sources, such as storages and demand response (DR) programs, is decreased by 5.45% and 4.6%, respectively. As far as operation costs are concerned, results reveal that using renewable resources decreases operation costs by 34.47%. Moreover, the operation cost is reduced by 5.94% and 4.57% in the presence of storage units and DR programs, respectively. In the same way, storages and DR programs decrease cost of purchased electricity by 13.47% and 14.46%, respectively.     

Energy and exergy analysis of simple solid-oxide fuel-cell power systems

Two, simple, solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) power systems fed by hydrogen and methane, respectively, are examined. While other models available in the literatures focus on complicated hybrid SOFC and gas-turbine (GT) power systems, this study focuses on simple SOFC power systems with detailed thermodynamic modeling of the SOFC. All performance-related parameters of the fuel-cell such as respective resistivity of the components, anode and cathode exchange current density, limiting current density, flow diffusivity, etc. are all expressed as a function of temperature, while the flow through of each nodes of the system is described as a function of thermodynamic state. Full analysis of the energy and exergy at each node of the system is conducted and their respective values are normalized by the lower heating value (LHV) of the fuel and its chemical exergy, respectively. Thus, the normalized electrical energy outputs directly indicate the first law and second law efficiencies, respectively, of the fuel-cell power systems.     

Fuel-cycle analysis of early market applications of fuel cells: Forklift propulsion systems and distributed power generation

Forklift propulsion systems and distributed power generation are identified as potential fuel cell applications for near-term markets. This analysis examines fuel cell forklifts and distributed power generators, and addresses the potential energy and environmental implications of substituting fuel-cell systems for existing technologies based on fossil fuels and grid electricity. Performance data and the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model are used to estimate full fuel-cycle emissions and use of primary energy sources. The greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of fuel-cell forklifts using hydrogen from steam reforming of natural gas are considerably lower than those using electricity from the average U.S. grid. Fuel cell generators produce lower GHG emissions than those associated with the U.S. grid electricity and alternative distributed combustion technologies. If fuel-cell generation technologies approach or exceed the target efficiency of 40%, they offer significant reduction in energy use and GHG emissions compared to alternative combustion technologies.     

Consequence analysis and safety verification of hydrogen fueling stations using CFD simulation

Now that environmental awareness is enhanced on a global basis, great hopes are placed on the expanded use of hydrogen stations and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) that economize hydrogen energy. Hydrogen stations must be safe and secure because they store large quantities of hydrogen under higher pressure than the hydrogen actually consumed by FCVs. Thus, multiple safety measures are taken to ensure that hydrogen does not leak from the stations. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of leakage, the damage needs to be kept on an allowable level. For this reason, it is necessary to understand the behavior of hydrogen gas leaking from the stations.     

Implications of sustainability assessment for electricity system design: The case of the Ontario Power Authority’s integrated power system plan

This paper explores the results and implications of an illustrative application of a sustainability assessment framework in the design and evaluation of a major integrated power system plan. The paper examines the integrated power system plan developed by the Ontario Power Authority in 2007. The basic framework rests on a generic set of evaluation criteria reflecting basic requirements for progress towards sustainability that was adopted, reinterpreted and applied by the Authority in support of its proposed plan. In response to evident deficiencies in the Authority’s work, the authors and colleagues undertook a re-examination using a more fully elaborated sustainability assessment framework, specified for application to power system planning. The results point to a plan and plan components substantially different from those proposed by the Authority. More generally, the results highlight three advantages of applying such a sustainability assessment framework: comprehensive coverage of key requirements for progress towards sustainability while ensuring careful attention to the context and concerns of the sector; emphasis on identifying plan options that avoid major trade-offs among the sustainability criteria and recognition of interactions among the social, ecological, economic and technological realms favouring options that offer multiple, mutually reinforcing and lasting benefits.     

Simultaneous planning of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle charging stations and wind power generation in distribution networks considering uncertainties

Recently, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are becoming more attractive than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV). Hence, design and modeling of charging stations (CSs) has vital importance in distribution system level. In this paper, a new formulation for PHEV charging stations is presented with the strategic presence of wind power generation (WPG). This study considers constraints of the system losses, the regulatory voltage limits, and the charge/discharge schedule of PHEV based on the social behavior of drivers for appropriate placement of PHEV charging stations in electricity grid. The role of CSs and WPG units must be correctly assessed to optimize the investment and operation cost for the whole system. However, the wind generation owners (WGOs) have different objective functions which might be contrary to the objectives of distribution system manager (DSM). It is assumed that aggregating and management of charge/discharge program of PHEVs are smartly carried out by DSM. This paper presents a long-term bi-objective model for optimal planning of PHEV charging stations and WPG units in distribution systems which simultaneously optimize two objectives, namely the benefits of DSM and WGO. It also considers the uncertainty of load growth, electricity price and PHEV access to the charging station using Mont-Carlo simulation (MCS) method. Initial state of charge uncertainty is also modeled based on scenario approach in PHEV batteries and wind turbine power generation using weibull distribution. Non dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to solve the optimization problem. The simulation has been conducted on the nine-bus system.     

Design of hybrid power-to-power systems for continuous clean PV-based energy supply

The increasing penetration of intermittent renewable sources, fostering power sector decarbonization, calls for the adoption of energy storage systems as an essential mean to improve local electricity exploitation, reducing the impact of distributed power generation on the electric grid. This work compares the use of hydrogen-based Power-to-Power systems, battery systems and hybrid hydrogen-battery systems to supply a constant 1 MW_el load with electricity locally generated by a photovoltaic plant. A techno-economic optimization model is set up that optimizes the size and annual operation of the system components (photovoltaic field, electrolyzer, hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cell and batteries) with the objective of minimizing the annual average cost of electricity, while guaranteeing an imposed share of local renewable self-generation. Results show that, with the present values of investment costs and grid electricity prices, the installation of an energy storage system is not economically attractive by itself, whereas the installation of PV panels is beneficial in terms of costs, so that the baseline optimal solution consists of a 4.2 MW_p solar field capable to self-generate 33% of the load annually. For imposed shares of self-generation above 40%, decoupling generation and consumption becomes necessary. The use of batteries is slightly less expensive than the use of hydrogen storage systems up to a 92% self-generation rate. Above this threshold, seasonal storage becomes predominant and hybrid storage becomes cheaper than batteries. The sale of excess electricity is always important to support the plant economics, and a sale price reduction sensibly impacts the results. Hydrogen storage becomes more competitive when the need for medium and long terms energy shift increases, e.g. in case of having a cap on the available PV capacity.     

Impacts of power management on a PEMFC electric vehicle

This paper discusses the impacts of different power management strategies on a fuel-cell vehicle. The study was carried out in three steps: fuel-cell control, power management, and system integration and verification. First, we identified the models of a proton exchange membrane fuel-cell (PEMFC) and designed robust controllers to improve the PEMFC's performance and efficiency. Second, we developed two power management structures—a serial power train and a parallel power train—which consisted of the PEMFC and secondary batteries to provide sustainable power for an electric mobility scooter. Lastly, we used the scooter's driving cycles to compare the performance and efficiency of these two power trains. Then we implemented the power trains on a microprocessor for road test. Based on the results, both power trains are deemed effective in providing continuous power for driving the scooter. In addition, the serial power train, although it uses an extra battery set, is shown to be more efficient than the parallel one.     

Energy management system for smart grid: An overview and key issues

Energy crisis and the global impetus to “go green” have encouraged the integration of renewable energy resources, plug-in electric vehicles, and energy storage systems to the grid. The presence of more than one energy source in the grid necessitates the need for an efficient energy management system to guide the flow of energy. Moreover, the variability and volatile nature of renewable energy sources, uncertainties associated with plug-in electric vehicles, the electricity price, and the time-varying load bring new challenges to the power engineers to achieve demand-supply balance for stable operation of the power system. The energy management system can effectively coordinate the energy sharing/trading among all available energy resources, and supply loads economically in all the conditions for the reliable, secure, and efficient operation of the power system. This paper reviews the framework, objectives, architecture, benefits, and challenges of the energy management system with a comprehensive analysis of different stakeholders and participants involved in it. The review paper gives a critical analysis of the distributed energy resources behavior and different programs such as demand response, demand-side management, and power quality management implemented in the energy management system. Different uncertainty quantification methods are also summarized. This review paper also presents a comparative and critical analysis of the main optimization techniques used to achieve different energy management system objectives while satisfying multiple constraints. Thus, the review offers numerous recommendations for research and development of the cutting-edge optimized energy management system applicable for homes, buildings, industries, electric vehicles, and the whole community.     

Experimental assessment of energy-management strategies in fuel-cell propulsion systems

The limitations of electric vehicles equipped with electrochemical batteries justify strong research interest for new solutions, based on hydrogen fuel-cell technology that are able to improve vehicle range, and reduce battery recharging time, while maintaining the crucial advantages of high efficiency and local zero emissions. The best working of a fuel-cell propulsion system, in terms of optimum efficiency and performance, is based on specific strategies of energy management, that are designed to regulate the power flows between the fuel cells, electric energy-storage systems and electric drive during the vehicle mission. An experimental study has been carried out on a small-size electric propulsion system based on a 2.5-kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and a 2.5-kW electric drive. The fuel-cell system has been integrated into a powertrain comprising a dc–dc converter, a lead–acid battery pack, and brushless electric drive. The experiments are conducted on a test bench that is able to simulate the vehicle behaviour and road characteristics on specific driving cycles. The experimental runs are carried out on the European R40 driving cycle using different energy-management procedures and both dynamic performance and energy consumption are evaluated.     

Multi-turbine wind-solar hybrid system

In the paper, a new type of wind-solar hybrid system was proposed, in which multiple small wind turbines took the place of a bigger one. The electricity performance of the multi-turbine wind-solar hybrid system was studied in comparison with the traditional system. Two types of wind-solar hybrid system with the same capacity were set up in Tianjin, and the power output of the two systems were measured and simulated by the TRNSYS software. The results showed that, at low wind speed, the multi-turbine wind-solar hybrid system has more power production than the reference system. The simulated results agreed well with the experiment results. Then, the electricity performance of the multi-turbine wind-solar hybrid system was studied under various climates in China by the TRNSYS. The simulation results showed that the power output of the wind turbines in multi-turbine wind-solar hybrid system increases by 18.69%, 31.24% and 53.79%, when used in Shenyang, shanghai and Guangzhou, respectively, compared with the reference system.     

Manufacturing competitiveness analysis for hydrogen refueling stations

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have now entered the market as zero-emission vehicles. Original equipment manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai have released commercial cars in parallel with efforts focusing on the development of hydrogen refueling infrastructure to support new FCEV fleets. Persistent challenges for FCEVs include high initial vehicle cost and the availability of hydrogen stations to support FCEV fleets. This study sheds light on the factors that drive manufacturing competitiveness of the principal systems in hydrogen refueling stations, including compressors, storage tanks, precoolers, and dispensers. To explore major cost drivers and investigate possible cost reduction areas, bottom-up manufacturing cost models were developed for these systems. Results from these manufacturing cost models show there is substantial room for cost reductions through economies of scale, as fixed costs can be spread over more units. Results also show that purchasing larger quantities of commodity and purchased parts can drive significant cost reductions. Intuitively, these cost reductions will be reflected in lower hydrogen fuel prices. A simple cost analysis shows there is some room for cost reduction in the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen refueling station systems, which could reach 35% or more when achieving production rates of more than 100 units per year. We estimated the potential cost reduction in hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing as a result of capital cost reduction to reach 5% or more when hydrogen refueling station systems are produced at scale.