Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have been gaining traction in the automotive market, thanks to their eco-friendly benefits and energy efficiency. However, challenges like limited battery technology and inadequate endurance for long-distance travel have hampered their widespread adoption. A recent study led by Qiong Wu from the School of Mechatronic Engineering, Xi’an Technological University in China offers promising solutions to these issues by integrating advanced control strategies to optimize fuel cell performance.
This research, published in ‘IEEE Access’, presents a novel approach that combines super-capacitors with a fuzzy algorithm-based proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. The goal? To enhance the energy storage system of FCVs and improve their operational efficiency. By employing a particle swarm optimization algorithm, the team was able to refine the fuzzy control strategy significantly.
The results are impressive. The optimized control strategy led to a reduction in peak power output from 3.8 kW to 2.0 kW, which not only stabilizes the power from the super-capacitor but also enhances the vehicle’s overall performance. In practical terms, under the new European urban road cycle, energy recovery performance improved by 4.3%, while hydrogen consumption saw a decrease of nearly 1%. Similarly, in the context of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized urban cycle, the strategy boosted braking energy recovery efficiency by 8.9% and reduced hydrogen consumption by approximately 0.94%.
“This research method can effectively reduce hydrogen consumption and improve the product economy and market competitiveness of enterprises,” Wu stated, emphasizing the commercial implications of their findings. By improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs, fuel cell technologies could become more attractive to manufacturers and consumers alike.
This study not only highlights the potential for FCVs to overcome current limitations but also opens up new avenues for innovation in the energy sector. As the world shifts toward cleaner energy solutions, optimizing control strategies for fuel cell vehicles could play a crucial role in making them more viable for everyday use, thus enhancing their market presence and driving investment in sustainable technologies.