Effective Energy Management Strategies Evaluation for Small Hybrid Fuel Cell Powered Vessels

Hybrid fuel cell power systems have demonstrated their ability to lower fuel consumption and enhance transportation performance. However, efficient power transfer between the energy storage system (ESS) and fuel cell is crucial. This study explores the comparative performance of three energy management strategies –optimization-based, rule-based and control-based- for a hydrogen-powered small vessel. The focus is on optimizing fuel efficiency, specifically hydrogen consumption, under river-trip operating conditions. According to simulation results, the most effective energy management method for lowering fuel usage is that relied on control mechanisms. This method’s real-time adaptive control, which efficiently balances fuel cell and ESS utilization, accounts for its superior performance.