Model development for durability of fuel cell-battery systems for ship propulsion

Fuel cells running on hydrogen have optimal operational states with respect to fuel efficiency and fuel cell longevity. When using fuel cells as an electrical power source, batteries may be used to balance the varying power requirements of the ship, making a hybrid power system. The combined fuel cell-battery system is engineered to match the expected power requirements. However, variation in power requirements during operation make it necessary to vary the fuel cell power output and battery charge, both causing degradation, which impacts the capacity and lifetime of a fuel cell-battery system. We therefore need knowledge of how to make the best possible use of a fuel cell-battery power system over the intended lifetime, including how to quantify the impact with respect to component degradation and fuel efficiency, and subsequently how to continuously optimise the combined power output from the fuel cell-battery system. This requires the development of scalable process models for estimation of system state, including degradation. NORCE is currently working on these challenges in collaboration with UC Berkeley and Corvus, from which initial efforts will be presented.