Challenges in the Development of Fuel Cell Systems and Stacks

Authors

Dipl.-Ing. J. Rechberger, Dipl.-Ing. M. Brendel, Dipl.-Wirt.Ing. F. Berg, J. Rubio PEng,
AVL List GmbH, Graz

Year

2019

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 811

Summary

The automotive industry recently is experiencing one of the most fundamental changes in its history with a high diversity of electrified powertrain variants pushing into the market. In parallel to Battery Electrical Vehicles (BEV), Fuel Cell Vehicles have arrived in the center of powertrain development. Fuel Cell propulsion systems are characterized by a high efficiency and zero emission with particular advantages in refilling duration and vehicle range. Driven by these advantages, fuel cell powertrain systems are developed by the whole industry. Due to higher energy storage density of hydrogen compared to LiIon batteries, in particular the commercial vehicle industry is adopting fuel cell technology for long haul applications. On the one hand commercial vehicles represent a great opportunity for fuel cell technology but on the other hand side also a great challenge towards dramatically increased durability and reliability requirements.
The drastically accelerated fuel cell commercialization requires a systematic development processes, methods and tools. AVL has established a fuel cell development process to develop and validate fuel cell systems for production. In the following chapters, the key challenges in the development of fuel cell systems and PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) stacks will be described.