A Hybrid Powertrain Provided with an Emulated Fuel Cell System and a Battery Pack: Experimental Results 2006-01-0218

The increasing concern about polluting emissions of vehicles, the cost and the limited availability of petroleum are urging many researchers in the world to develop innovative and more energy-efficient traction powertrains. In order to improve the energy conversion efficiencies into the vehicle, auto manufacturers are looking at new energy-storage-system technologies and fuel converters with great interest. The University of Rome “ROMA TRE” and ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment) have jointly developed and tested a Fuel Cell Emulator, able to feed a vehicle powertrain just like an actual fuel cell should do. Aim of this work was to substitute the fuel cell with a much more reliable device and test different powertrain layouts and control strategies. This approach allows comparing different powertrains by simply resizing their components.