Search Results

In this paper, a fuel cell-based/SuperCapacitor (SuperCap) hybrid electric powertrain concept is studied for different power management strategies. For a series hybrid, range extender topology and a given load profile different power management strategies are structurally compared. Furthermore considerations about principal optimization approaches will be introduced. First, a power management with the usage of a rate limiter on the fuel cell power is studied. The usage of a rate limiter mitigates fast deterioration of the fuel cell service life. The limited power rate affects the power demand from the hybrid secondary power source, i.e. the SuperCaps, and a compromise needs to be found. A second power management focuses the use of fuel cells as a range extender for charging when a lower limit for the State-of-Charge (SOC) of the SuperCaps is reached. The charging however is done at the maximum power output of the fuel cells and stops, when a certain SOC is reached.