Development of PEM Fuel as a Green Source of Power for Transportation Application

Abstract

For electric vehicle application, direct use of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is restricted because
of its issue associated with dynamic performance and peak power supplying capability. Slow dynamics in
this fuel cell creates electrical fluctuations in automotive system with respect to step electrical load particularly
the starting of electrical motor which demand large energy in short time. Due less peak power capability, it
is required use higher rating PEM fuel cell, even though the continuous power rating required for the load is
very less. The associated issues of PEM fuel cell demands some other energy sources, like batteries or
supercapacitor, to be use along with it to compensate for its slow dynamics and less peak power. An hybrid
system combines PEM fuel cell with supercapacitor or battery is an alternative solution but it needs more
space for installation in vehicle and also it is more costly. The proposed paper discuss design and development
of advance PEM fuel cell, which uses nano material technology for development, and overcomes both
drawbacks of conventional PEM fuel. The advanced PEM fuel cell is similar to integration of features of PEM
fuel cell and supercapacitor into a single device and hence it is more suitable for electric vehicle application.