Development of Energy Saving Mechanism for Renewable Hydrogen Vehicles

Abstract

This paper describes the development of energy saving mechanisms for renewable hydrogen vehicles, thereby providing extended range and improved efficiency. Simulation studies of configuration setup and analysis for better energy management strategies are carried out using simulation tools developed by the University of Glamorgan (UoG), Faculty of Advanced Technology (FAT). The simulation tools are used to analyze the effect of operating conditions and energy demand of a hybrid vehicle. A dynamic model of onboard hydrogen production employing electrolysis energized by electricity recovered from the vehicle’s suspension sub-system, is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink™ and integrated with a fuel cell vehicle model. The entire system model is then parameterized to represent a renewable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for simulation analyses. Simulation results show that by using recovered energy normally lost in damping, appreciable benefits might be accrued from hydrogen production on-board.