Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Rail Car: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel engineering feasibility study for developing a future hybrid metro system, for the first time in Canada, that is of extremely low cost and independent of the utility grid. This system will eliminate the need of the rail cars to rely on the track substations and consequently the utility grid. This paper is based on the load profiles provided by Bombardier Transportation for its advanced rapid transit train running in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Simulation was performed for propulsion with and without auxiliary power with the assumption of an average power of 40 kW. To size the system for the worst case scenario, the regeneration power will not be taken into account in case the propulsion cuts off during regenerative braking. The subsystem modules described in the model are listed for reference purposes. The hydrogen consumption and storage are also calculated for each case with the tank options listed for each energy storage option. Furthermore, an analysis platform is being provided for a sound design of a hybrid metro car for the first time in North America. This systematic modular approach can be easily applied to any transit system worldwide. A successful design for a fuel cell hybrid train is given, which is fully independent on the electricity from the grid. The elimination of the wayside substations system, which is 90% of the cost of the transit system, presents huge initial and running cost savings and makes the rail car ridership very inexpensive.