Design of an Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy-Based Control in Relation to the Passenger Number for a Fuel Cell Tram Propulsion

Francesco Piraino and Petronilla Fragiacomo
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Francesco Piraino: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Petronilla Fragiacomo: Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: In this paper, a new control strategy for a fuel cell supercapacitor tramway is tested on a real drive cycle. The control algorithm is based on the equivalent consumption minimization strategy, weighted for the vehicle passenger number. Its implementation is presented by highlighting the customization for a specific drive cycle, located in Reggio Calabria, one of the main cities of southern Italy. The heart of the paper concerns the fuel cell hybrid powertrain, where energy source and DC/DC converter models are formalized and numerically designed; in addition, all the drivetrain components are taken into account through appropriate relations. By means of the drive cycle characteristics, in terms of morphology, vehicle features, and speed, the main components are properly selected, with the aim of avoiding under- and over-sizing issues. A specific case study is analyzed, considering the passenger variation at each tramway stop. Satisfying results are achieved in the simulation campaign: 2.9 kg of hydrogen is consumed for a round trip, with a quasi-constant fuel cell efficiency of more than 50%, while the supercapacitor SOC ranges in a wide interval, between 35% and 95%.

Keywords: fuel cell hybrid railways; control system; propulsion numerical models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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