The benefits of hybridization

This article presents the impact of the performance of an FC and control strategies on the benefits of hybridization of fuel cell/supercapacitor hybrid sources for vehicle applications. Then, the storage device can complement the main source to produce the compatibility and performance characteristics needed in a load. The studies of two hybrid power systems for vehicle applications, FC/battery and FC/supercapacitor hybrid power sources, are explained. Experimental results with small-scale devices (a PEMFC of 500 W, 40 A, and 13 V; a lead-xicid battery module of 33 Ah and 48 V; and a supercapacitor module of 292 F, 500 A, and 30 V) in laboratory will illustrate the performance of the system during motor-drive cycles.