Modeling and Control Strategy Research of Fuel Cell Vehicle Thermal Management System for Waste Heat Utilization

ABSTRACT The thermal management of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) is challenged by complex powertrain heat coupling and increasing demands for performance and integration. This study proposes a waste‐heat‐recovery thermal management strategy. A vehicle‐level thermal model integrating the fuel cell, powertrain, and cabin is developed on the basis of experimental data, and a control strategy coordinates actuators, including the water pump, thermostat, radiator, and heater core to regulate fuel cell and cabin temperatures. Low‐temperature warm‐up simulations show that the strategy meets target requirements. During warm‐up, the fuel‐cell‐priority heating mode and the hybrid mode achieve the lowest energy consumption; under driving conditions, the economy and balance modes minimize consumption. The proposed framework provides a reference for integrated thermal management design of fuel cell hybrid vehicles under low temperatures.