A fuel cell powered autonomous surface vehicle: The Eco-SWAMP project. (17th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boscaino, V.; Odetti, A.; Marsala, G.; Di Cara, D.; Panzavecchia, N.; Caccia, M.; Tinè, G.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 46:Number 39(2021)
• Page Start: 20732
• Page End: 20749
• Publication Date: 2021-06-17
• Subjects: Fuel cell -- Hydrogen energy -- Autonomous marine vehicle -- Fuel cell powered vehicles -- Power management algorithms -- Power converters; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.03.158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Autonomous surface vehicles are becoming consolidated robotic tools for marine, coastal and inland surveys. Autonomous surface vehicles are usually equipped with electronic instruments to perform remotely controlled or autonomous geo-morphological, biological, chemical, physical analyses and data collection. Actually, well-established solutions provide battery power but the research focuses on introducing a fuel cell to decrease the environmental impact meanwhile increasing the cruising range. In this paper, the design of the Eco-SWAMP, a fuel cell powered autonomous surface vehicle, is presented starting from its battery-powered version, the SWAMP prototype. The experimental power consumption profile of the SWAMP during four missions is analysed to define the primary energy sources ratings of the Eco-SWAMP. After a commercial choice of primary sources, power management algorithms are designed and compared in MATLAB/Simulink environment by simulation results. The proposed procedure can be easily applied to any autonomous marine vehicle. Highlights: Autonomous vehicles are programmed or remotely controlled to follow a trajectory. The battery-powered SWAMP prototype is presented by experimental results. The fuel cell powered Eco-SWAMP is designed based on the power consumption profile. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink environment are presented. Four hours of single fill up cruising range are gained by the proposed procedure.