Thermally integrated energy storage system for hybrid fuel cell electric bike: An experimental study

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 48; no. 54; pp. 20914 - 20922
• Main Authors: Di Giorgio, Paolo, Di Ilio, Giovanni, Scarpati, Gabriele, Altomonte, Andrea, Jannelli, Elio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 29.06.2023
• Subjects: Battery thermal management; Hydrogen bicycle; Hydrogen storage; Metal hydrides; Plug-in fuel cell vehicle; Plug-in fuel cell vehicle; Metal hydrides; Battery thermal management; Hydrogen storage; Hydrogen bicycle
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.043

The hybrid fuel cell/battery technology is an attractive option for a sustainable mobility with zero emissions. In fact, this solution owns system scalability features and high efficiency and, compared to battery electric solutions, it offers advantages in terms of flexibility of use and fast charging times. However, the thermal management for the battery in this type of powertrain is a crucial issue, since operating temperatures can significantly affect safety and performance. In this study, an innovative system aimed at providing high storage energy density and improving the battery pack performance of hybrid fuel cell/battery vehicles is investigated for use on-board of a plug-in fuel cell electric bike. The proposed system, developed by the authors in previous studies, integrates the battery pack with a hydrogen storage based on metal hydrides. The idea behind this solution is to exploit the endothermic desorption processes of hydrogen in metal hydrides to cool down the battery pack during operation. An experimental analysis is conducted to assess the thermal management capabilities of this system: by considering a typical duty cycle designed on the base of road test measurements, battery pack temperature profiles are evaluated and compared against those from a control experiment where no battery thermal management is enabled (i.e. no hydrogen desorption from the metal hydride tank). The results show that, beside enhancing the on-board stored energy capacity, the proposed system represents an effective solution to provide an efficient thermal management for the battery pack, with significant advantages in terms of attainable riding range. •Plug-in fuel cell electric bicycle with greater riding range than e-bike.•On-board storage system integrating metal hydrides tank and battery pack.•Enhanced volumetric and gravimetric on-board energy storage density.•Optimal thermal management of battery pack and metal hydride tank.