Optimizing energy providers like fuel cells and engines involves considering various factors, constraints, and requirements. These include NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), durability, operating point efficiency, and customer expectations. Different energy providers prioritize these factors differently. For instance, NVH is crucial for engines due to customer expectations regarding start-up, sound, and power delivery based on accelerator input. In contrast, fuel cells face fewer constraints but must consider noise from electrical AC compressors and other devices, especially at lower vehicle speeds. However, operating point efficiency and durability are paramount for fuel cells, as they are expected to last as long as engines in conventional vehicles sold today.
This paper proposes a holistic approach that begins at the vehicle or powertrain architecture level and designs an operating strategy that integrates all the aforementioned factors to enhance the operation of a fuel cell. By focusing on maximizing fuel cell efficiency, the strategy ensures that the fuel cell operates efficiently and reliably. NVH considerations are addressed to enhance user experience, while durability is prioritized to extend the lifespan of the fuel cell, reducing maintenance costs, and improving reliability.
Customer expectations are also a critical component of this approach. The strategy aims to meet or exceed user expectations in terms of performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction. Additionally, the paper briefly discusses how this loss-based optimization strategy would need to be modified for engines, considering their unique constraints and requirements.
This holistic optimization strategy promises significant improvements in the performance, efficiency, and user satisfaction of engine or fuel cell-powered vehicles, paving the way for higher fuel economy while maintaining customer expectations for hybrid electric vehicles with various fuel sources such as a fuel cell or a combustion engine.