Performance Comparison of a Fuel Cell-Battery Hybrid Powertrain and a Fuel Cell-Ultracapacitor Hybrid Powertrain

TLDR

Fuel cell, battery, and ultracapacitor power sources have distinct characteristics that influence hybrid powertrain design. The study compares a fuel cell–battery hybrid powertrain with a fuel cell–ultracapacitor hybrid powertrain for vehicle applications. The authors present the configurations of both hybrid systems and design example powertrains simulated in ADVISOR. Simulations show that the ultracapacitor hybrid achieves better performance and higher fuel economy by more effectively supporting the fuel cell.

Abstract

This paper studies two hybrid power systems for vehicle applications: a fuel cell-battery hybrid powertrain and a fuel cell-ultracapacitor hybrid powertrain. First, the characteristics of fuel cell, battery, and ultracapacitor as power sources are summarized. Then the configurations of the two types of hybrid fuel cell powertrains are presented. Finally, example hybrid powertrains are designed and simulated using ADVISOR. The simulation results indicate that ultracapacitors can more effectively assist the fuel cell to meet the vehicle power demand and help achieve a better performance and a higher fuel economy.