Objective
Objectives
Increasing demand for zero emission transport in densely populated areas is usually provided for by electric systems, which are either limited in range (battery) or require heavy infrastructures (trolleys, trams).
The objective of the project is the realisation of a pre-commercial fuel cell powered electric bus with high energy efficiency, which will be environmentally compatible (ZEV vehicle), without range limitation and autonomous.
Technical Approach
A 35-50 kW PEM hydrogen/air fuel cell will be installed in hybrid combination with an energy buffer, allowing energy recovery when slowing or braking. The energy buffer will consist of an advanced Magneto Dynamic Storage (MDS) system and the energy flows between the fuel cell, the MDS and the electric motor will be managed by a special electronic component (Power Sources Integrator) in order to minimise the global energy consumption.
The fuel cell and all its ancilliaries will be packaged in a self contained Power Module that will replace the original ICE in the engine bay of a Neoplan N4114 city bus.
A significant task will be the industrialisation of the fuel cell technology, in order to make available a really low-cost, fuel cell capable of being mass produced.
Expected Achievements and Exploitation
The claimed innovative aspects of this project include:
Development of the fuel cell technology, intended as a step forward from existing technology (FEVER Project), developing a stack with a unit power in the range of 10-17 kW, and demonstrating possibilities for cost reduction as low as 300 ECU/kW.
Re-design of the fuel cell system (power module), i.e. all auxiliary components and subsystems needed for operating the fuel cells, in order to improve efficiency and significantly reduce weight and volume (2 to 3 times from present state). Particular attention will be paid to the air compression system, which is responsible for over 90% of auxiliary energy consumption.
Development of a high pressure, low weight storage system for gaseous hydrogen storage. The particular design and materials selection will enable energy densities similar to those of liquid hydrogen to be reached.
The results of these activities will be integrated into an advanced traction system based on flywheels as the energy buffer. It is foreseen that the complete propulsion system will not occupy any useful (payload) space on board; therefore the bus can be considered a real prototype rather than an experimental vehicle and will open the way to series production of fuel cell buses.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering ecosystem-based management climatic change mitigation
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
16152 GENOVA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.