(Kempten/Rüsselsheim) – Hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles can help improve air quality in inner cities. It is important to optimally design the fuel cell drives both for the individual vehicle models and for the purpose of their use. In order to make the respective configuration easier, the “Clean Engine” research project was started by the Kempten University of Applied Sciences and the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences as well as the ABT e-Line GmbH.
The aim of the project is to develop a platform that combines theory and practice. “This means that the use of fuel cell drives in light commercial vehicles can be configured in a tailor-made manner,” explains Werner E. Mehr from Kempten University. The focus is on the “dynamic-energetic optimization” of hydrogen propulsion. “This is, on the one hand, about the operational management of the fuel cell and, on the other hand, about scaling effects. Further goals include reducing development costs and times.”
As consortium leader, Kempten University will receive funding of almost 1,2 million euros. For this purpose, a simulation and a fuel cell test stand are to be developed that are designed for drive power of up to 200 kilowatts. In the end, the simulation should be able to predict the measurement results determined on the real test stand in the best possible way.
Analyze scaling effects
At the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Birgit Scheppat deals with operational management and modeling of fuel cells. A test stand for drive powers of up to ten kilowatts is being built in Rüsselsheim in order to investigate scaling effects. “The focus here is on the system, process and operating parameters,” says Scheppat. The funding volume of RheinMain University of Applied Sciences is 687.000 euros.
From the laboratory to the street
As the third partner in the project, ABT e-Line GmbH develops the control devices and the control device communication and makes them available, including the drive train of an electric VW bus, for measurements on the fuel cell test stand at Kempten University. The optimized drive is then integrated into a VW bus and tested; initially on a test track, then – with provisional approval – also on public roads. ABT receives 50 percent funding of 500.000 euros.
The “Clean Engine” project is scheduled to last three years and is supported by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure with a total of 2,4 million euros as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
deep link
https://idw-online.de/de/news764889
Photos
Electric VW bus for measurements on the fuel cell test stand. © ABT e-Line GmbH
