Modelling of pem fuel cell and investigation of its performance for a car

In this study, a mathematical modeling of a complete power system, consisting of a fuel cell and some needed electrical machines to provide and transmit energy for a vehicle that will consume a maximum of 75 kW power, is performed. The main component of power generator system, i.e. the fuel cell, is of PEM type. The electrical system has a DC / DC power converter and a specific electric motor operating with DC voltage. All sub-components of the fuel cell along the fuel (hydrogen) and air supply line and fuel cell itself are included in the modeling. Amplifier type DC / DC converter in the electrical system was modeled but for the electric motor efficiency map of a brand new REMY motor was directly used without mathematical modeling. The obtained model was run mathematically in Matlab&Simulink media by assuming that the vehicle fed from this power system operates according to the NEDC driving cycle. It has been found that the model accurately matches the performance requirements of all stages from start to finish, such as fuel-air propulsion, generation of electric current and delivering the desired drive power to the vehicle.