Revolutionizing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development Through Model-Based Design
Key Ideas
- Hydrogen fuel cells offer advantages in weight, power density, refueling time, and range, making them ideal for heavy-duty transportation like trucks, buses, and ships.
- Segula Technologies uses Model-Based Design with MATLAB®, Simulink®, and Simscape™ to optimize fuel cell performance and efficiency for various industries.
- Complex dynamics of PEM fuel cells are efficiently modeled using Simscape, leading to significant time savings in the development phase and enhanced accuracy in simulations.
- The dynamic model aids in component selection, dimensioning, control strategy optimization, and analyzing energy flows without the need for physical prototypes, reducing costs and waiting times.
Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) are gaining attention as a clean and efficient means of propulsion, especially for heavy-duty transportation modes like trucks, buses, and ships. While the infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations is not as widespread as that for electric vehicle charging, the advantages of HFCs include lower weight, higher power density, quicker refueling, and longer range. Segula Technologies utilizes Model-Based Design, incorporating MATLAB®, Simulink®, and Simscape™, to address the complexities of HFC development. By leveraging the Simscape fuel cell model, engineers can efficiently optimize performance and longevity. The model aids in component selection, control strategy design, and energy flow analysis, all without the need for physical prototypes. Additionally, an AI-based expert system extracts valuable parameters from simulation runs, enabling the team to explore new configurations effectively. This approach streamlines the development process and enhances the accuracy of simulations, ensuring the energy efficiency and durability of the fuel cell system. Overall, the utilization of Model-Based Design in HFC development showcases a positive sentiment towards the potential of hydrogen technology in various transportation sectors.