Hydrogen fuel cell and kinetic energy recover systems technologies for powering urban bus with zero emission energy cycle

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of a hydrogen‐fuelled city bus with ‘zero’ emission solar–hydrogen cycle. The study considers an electric vehicle based on four separately powered wheels, connected to a hybrid unit composed by a hydrogen fuel cell and a high‐speed kinetic energy storage system. A bus with 21 passengers carrying capacity is simulated to run along urban drive cycles with different slopes. Vehicle power‐train components are designed. The balance between the energy consumption for a yearly bus travel and the energy production by means of photovoltaic panels is performed for three different Italian locations and the results are also discussed in terms of CO 2 emissions.