Optimal Control Strategy for PEM Electric Vehicle using Matlab Simulink

Abstract

The conventional fossil fuels are being replaced by alternate energy sources very fast. This is mainly due to the limited resources left in the Nature and the polluting characteristic of fossil fuel. Only thirty additional years are left for the supply of fossil fuels. The extreme climate change is largely attributed to automotive fossil fuel burning. The advent of pure Electric vehicles has resulted in reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It addresses the answer to the concerns of oil resource depletion, air pollution and climate changes. The benefit of using electric power in automotive sector is immense. However, the outcome of hybrid EVs can surpass pure EVs due to its capability of charging on the go, hence no extra charging time. In absence of any moving parts in a fuel cell, the maintenance and noise are also minimal. PEM fuel cell is a most eligible power source having reduced emissions and high efficiency characteristics. The efficiency of hybrid vehicle is a result of charging effectiveness. Control Strategy plays an important role in conservating and elevating energy whenever required. These are the energy power banks to optimize battery sizing and minimize losses. This paper explains a control strategy to enhance efficiency of FCHV system along with reduction of hydrogen consumption. This is achieved by maximising fuel cell efficiency by balancing the power split between battery and fuel cell. The rule based strategy results in maximising fuel cell system efficiency by sustaining the state of charge (SOC) of the battery. The SOC is aimed to be kept around a value which can address extremely low charge and high charge condition of the battery. At the same time, load on fuel cell is switched in a manner so as not to have a sudden ascent or descent of power, which helps in preventing the terminal deterioration in the fuel cell.

Optimal Control Strategy for PEM Hybrid Electric Vehicle using Matlab Simulink

“…The use of PEMFC for automotive application is beneficial in many ways to the environment. If pure hydrogen is fed to the el Cell (PEMFC) [5]. e expressed as follows [27].…”

“…(2) can be obtained based on the current flowing in the PEMFC circuit, as: 0.21. So, the Air mass flow rate (kg/s) can be obtained by using the el Cell (PEMFC) [5]. 𝑛𝑛𝑐𝑐…”

“…4. Hybrid PEM Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle [5] The power required by the vehicle at the wheels include the rolling resistance of tires, the power due to aerodynamic drag, the power required to overcome the slope and power for vehicle acceleration. The resistive force is a function of vehicle velocity and may be enumerated, based on dynamometer measurement as:…”

“…The parallel arrangement of two energy sources, battery and fuel cell through DC/DC converter provides a quick startup of vehicle and makes possible the charging of battery using regenerative braking. This application of parallel energy sources can be experienced in Toyota Mirai and Honda FCX Clarity [3][4][5]. Won (2006) assessed the effect of different control calibrations and strategies in the power split, the vehicle efficiency, the battery utilization, and the PEMFC oxygen starvation.…”