Performance analysis of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for electric vehicle applications

This paper presents a dynamic simulation of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle “FCEV” system with regenerative braking, based on a separately excited DC electric motor. A description of the model, with the associated developed controllers, for the fuel cell and the vehicle system is also introduced. The dynamic model of the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell “PEMFC” and the selected controller parameters are used based on a validated model and a parametric study introduced in a previous research. The main task of the controllers is to improve the dynamic response of the FCEV system under different conditions. The model is implemented using the MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation package and is tested by simulating the characteristics of different drive cycles of the vehicle. The results show the fast response of the electric vehicle in following the changes in the pedal position. In addition, it is indicated that the fuel cell stack has the ability to provide the power demand for the vehicle during different modes of operation. This model will be useful for analyzing the performance of FCEV under different operating conditions.