Comparison of the battery energy storage and fuel cell energy source for the safety-critical drives considering reliability and fault tolerance

This paper describes the fault tolerance comparative analysis of a battery electric energy storage consisting of multiple battery submodules and fuel cell electric energy source for the traction drive of an electrical helicopter. The entire propulsion system reliability assessment is based on the reliability evaluation of the system components including electric energy sources. Considering the high requirements on reliability and fault tolerance, including the strict limitations on the installation space and weight of the overall system, the accurate assessment and correct choice of the type and design features of such energy sources is extremely important. Regarding the task of minimizing the weight and size of a storage device, in terms of a system approach, optimal types of electric energy source at today's technological level have been discussed and recommended.