Fuel cells produce electricity without combustion and are emerging as a leading technology to help meet AQMP emission reduction targets. Fuel cell technologies are being advanced steadily and hold strong promise to match or exceed ICEs in power density, durability, fuel efficiency, range, etc. Major efforts are still needed by government and industry to overcome the many remaining barriers before fuel cells can compete in the market with ICEs and other conventional technologies. A key issue is assessing the performance characteristics of fuel cell power plant and its subsystems when powered by alternative fuels. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of the startup time, acceleration, efficiency, emissions, footprint and durability.
Fuels being evaluated include direct hydrogen, methanol, gasoline and direct methanol.
Its current focus is on developing models to assist in the introduction of fuel cell vehicles. Specifically, it would create and optimize a research tool to accurately and realistically simulate a fuel cell vehicle, and its overall performance and environmental impact when operated on a spectrum of fuels. The model will utilize the best available technology, policy information from special studies, and ongoing feedback from major automobile manufacturers who are cosponsoring the program. The fuel cell vehicle model attempts to accurately simulate operation of a mid-sized fuel cell vehicle over urban and highway driving cycles. The model will assess the performance characteristics of such vehicle, including range, energy efficiency, emissions and acceleration performance.