Design and experimental validation of a robust and real-time power management strategy and control system for a hybrid electric vehicle

Hybrid energy storage systems combining fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors are gaining significant attention for electric vehicle applications due to their ability to enhance efficiency and durability. This paper presents a new energy management strategy for a multi-source electric vehicle system integrating a fuel cell, a lithium-ion battery, and a supercapacitor. Each source plays a distinct role based on its power and energy characteristics, enabling optimal power distribution. The proposed strategy employs frequency decomposition, fuzzy logic and deterministic rules to optimize power sharing, ensuring system stability, enhanced efficiency, and extended component lifespan. The fuel cell supplies steady power, while the battery regulates the DC bus voltage and provides intermediate power support. The supercapacitor manages high-frequency transient power demands, mitigating stress on the fuel cell and battery. Real-time simulations and experimental validation on a hybrid storage system test bench demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy under Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure and Artemis driving cycles. The results confirm stable DC bus voltage regulation, accurate current tracking, and improved energy efficiency, with the supercapacitor effectively absorbing transient power fluctuations. The findings highlight the potential of hybrid energy management in fuel cell-based electric vehicles, contributing to improved system longevity and overall performance.