Accelerating Fuel Cell Development for FCEVs with Simulation - Mar 17, 2022

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell EVs (FCEVs) are expected to play a major role in the transportation sector over the next decade and beyond. Research predicts that the hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles could constitute up to 20% of the global vehicle fleet (400 million cars, 5 million buses and 15-20 million trucks) by 2050. Long driving range, faster refueling, high energy density, zero carbon emissions, and government support are the key factors driving the adoption of fuel cell technology. However, it is yet to pick up in many parts of the world due to challenges associated with storage, reliability, durability, and high cost.

Achieve high performance, safety, reliability, and efficiency are the key engineering goals in the design of FCEVs. Engineering teams must need to ensure the structural integrity (assembly, fatigue, durability & dynamics, crash, shock), thermal reliability, optimization of critical system components like bipolar plate, channels, MEA assembly geometries. This involves multiple design iterations, costly and time-consuming physical tests (e.g., prediction of pressure, deformation, stress, etc.). Simulation plays a key role in addressing the engineering challenges and accelerate the development of fuel cell vehicle.