Modeling of a Hybrid System for a Lightweight Electric Vehicle with Passive-type Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells and Electric Double-layer Capacitors

Application of a Fuel Cell Equivalent Circuit Model

Abstract

A simple series hybrid power system composed of passive-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and electric double-layer capacitors was adapted to a lightweight electric vehicle. In order to numerically simulate the behavior of the hybrid system, a fuel cell equivalent circuit model was applied and the model parameters were determined using an electrochemical theory and experimental results. Including this PEFC equivalent circuit model, a simulation model of the power train system (PEFCs, capacitors, motor, power controller, inertia, etc) of a lightweight electric vehicle was composed. It has been confirmed that this simulation model can represent reasonably well the dynamic behavior and energy transmission of the system in the experiment on a fixed apparatus constructed as a model of the vehicle.