Load-Following Control and Fuzzy Logic-Based Energy Management in Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This paper proposes a Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FCHEV) equipped with a Battery-supercapacitor (SC) based Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) for enhanced efficiency in electric vehicle applications. The vehicle utilizes a load-following control strategy, where both hydrogen fuel flow and air flow rates are dynamically adjusted to optimize fuel efficiency under varying load conditions. Unlike conventional methods that maintain constant air flow while regulating fuel flow based on load, this approach controls both air and fuel flow rate, reducing fuel consumption for load fluctuations and improving the overall energy management system efficiency. Additionally, the impact of temperature on fuel cell performance, often neglected in existing studies, is integrated into the model. The fuzzy logic-based energy management method is used to split power between the fuel cell and HESS. The analysis to control fuel and air flow rate demonstrates that the proposed method significantly enhances fuel efficiency and extends system longevity by mitigating fuel and oxygen starvation. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating thermal effects, offering valuable insights for the development of high-efficiency FCHEVs.