Comparative study of two new energy control systems based on PEMFC for a hybrid tramway in Ecuador. (21st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arévalo, Paul; Cano, Antonio; Jurado, Francisco
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 46(2020)
• Page Start: 25357
• Page End: 25377
• Publication Date: 2020-09-21
• Subjects: Energy management -- Fuel cell -- Tramway -- Renewable energy -- Control; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.06.212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: This article presents a comparison of two alternative systems to supply the traction power of a tramway in Cuenca–Ecuador. Each system studies the effective combination of supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (SC/LIB/PEMFC) on board. The first system uses renewable sources (PV/HKT/GB/Grid) supplying the on-board systems through the existing grid and hydrogen charging stations. While the second system uses only grid power from a single point of charge, leaving the tramway without any external connection point throughout their journey. The energy and economic analyses are based on the capacity of each system to supply the load and the resources used. The results show that the new proposed control systems, by means of the analysed configurations made up of different control states, are always capable of perfectly supplying the power required by the tramway throughout their journey. However, when using energy from renewable sources, hydrogen consumption decreases by 4.27% with respect to the grid on each round trip, with a lower net present cost. Furthermore, in the first proposed system, the depth of discharge in SC and LIB is greater. Highlights: Energy control systems based on fuel cell for a hybrid tramway in Ecuador. Renewable components (photovoltaic, hydrokinetic and biomass). All components are charged with the braking power of the tramway. The study includes technical-economic analysis of two proposed systems.