Quantitative Analysis for Optimizing Thermal Management in Fuel Cell Vehicles

Zero emission vehicles are essential for achieving sustainable and clean transportation. Hybrid vehicles such as Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) use multiple energy sources like batteries and fuel cell stacks to offer extended driving range without emitting greenhouse gases. The energy management in FCEVs, particularly thermal management, is crucial for maintaining the temperature of specific components within their specified range. The fuel cell stack generates a significant amount of waste heat, which needs to be dissipated to maintain optimal performance and prevent degradation, whereas the battery system needs to be operated within an optimal temperature range for its better performance and longevity. Overheating of batteries can lead to reduced efficiency and potential safety hazards, while low temperatures can decrease battery performance and range. In the current design of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), multiple temperature control loops require significant energy for continuous heating and cooling. This can lead to energy losses during the heat exchange process. Our goal is to optimize thermal energy usage while maintaining the same performance and efficiency of both battery electric system and the fuel cell stack in a vehicle. In this study, we propose a single optimal temperature control loop and demonstrate its efficiency through quantitative analysis, comparing it with the existing thermal usage in multiple temperature control loops.