Thermal, power and packaging design of an HT-PEM fuel cell application for climatization and range extension in future Vehicle Concepts

Abstract

Today's electric vehicles do not offer sufficient range, especially if heating or air-conditioning is necessary. Fuel cells are able to provide electrical and thermal power with a high degree of efficiency. The DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts is investigating different fuel cell technologies for use in mobile applications at ranges from 100 W in cargo pedelecs to systems of over 10 kW for passenger cars and up to 200 kW for rail applications, and to this end operates several test benches to test individual subsystems such as batteries, fuel cells, and electric machines up to complete vehicles on the roller test bench. This makes it possible to develop subsystems and prototypes and to parameterize and evaluate the concepts simulated.