DECEMBER 2002 — Vehicle Systems
Argonne Releases Its Well-to-Wheel Analysis for Advanced SUV Fuel Cell Vehicles
Fuel cell vehicles are undergoing extensive research and development (R&D) because of their potential for high efficiency and low emissions. A complete well-to-wheels (WTW) evaluation is helpful when considering the introduction of advanced vehicles that could use a new fuel such as hydrogen.
Over several decades, Argonne has developed and used computer models in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) advanced automotive R&D program. The program has addressed aspects of vehicular life cycles ranging from design and manufacturing through recycling. Advanced batteries, fuel cells, engines, and vehicle configurations have been developed, tested, and modeled at Argonne transportation facilities. Argonne's transient vehicle simulation software code, PSAT (Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit), was used with a transient fuel cell model derived from GCtool (General Computational Toolkit); and GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation) was employed in estimating Well-To-Tank (WTT) performances.
This combination of analytical, developmental, and testing experience has been applied to several types of advanced vehicle powertrains at the well-to-tank (GREET), vehicle (PSAT), and fuel cell system (GCtool) levels. Argonne has decided to link GCtool, PSAT, and GREET capabilities to model, control, and validate fuel cell systems and evaluate their potential on a WTW basis.
GCtool/PSAT/GREET integration process
The results of the study demonstrate the impact of fuel cell technology from a fuel economy and an emissions point of view as well as the unique capabilities developed at Argonne from transient component modeling (GCtool-Eng) to transient vehicle modeling (PSAT) and well-to-tank (GREET).
The main results will be presented at SAE 2003 World Congress in Detroit next March. The study demonstrates the potential benefits of advanced fuel cell technology from well-to-tank as well as tank-to-wheel.
Well-to-wheel efficiencies. Hydrogen production occurs either
in a central facility (CGH2) or at a station (SGH2)
The fuel cell model results are based on achieving all FreedomCAR goals, whereas conventional and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) configurations are based on today's technology. The study will be refined in the future to include advanced versions of conventional and HEV technologies, as well as additional vehicle platforms and drivetrain configurations.
Sponsor
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
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