In-Vehicle Testing and Computer Modeling of Electric Vehicle Batteries sponsored by DARPA: Field testing was conducted at PTI to validate fundamental battery models developed by the Penn State Electrochemical Engines Center (mtrl1.me.psu.edu). Advanced lead acid and nickel metal hydride batteries were installed in an HHVRC series hybrid vehicle. Battery voltage, current, and temperature data were logged during testing at the PTI track.

Simulation and Field Testing of Combined Battery/Ultracapacitor Energy Storage System sponsored by US DOT: An energy storage system was developed for transit buses consisting of batteries, ultracapacitors, power electronics, and an energy system controller. The system was integrated into an existing HHVRC series hybrid. Standard bus driving cycles were performed on the chassis dynamometer and at the PTI test track. Models of system components were integrated into US DOE PSAT simulation software. Field data was used to validate PSAT simulations of of the test vehicle. Further simulations predicted the benefits of battery/ultracapacitor energy storage for in-service hybrid transit vehicles which included lower battery RMS current, longer battery life, and improved bus fuel economy.

Installation of Air Products Hydrogen Fueling Station sponsored by Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and US DOE: A commercial grade hydrogen fueling station developed by Air Products (airproducts.com) is planned for installation at the Penn State Office of Physical Plant (OPP) by summer 2004. HHVRC is providing some project management for installation and short term demonstration of the of the hydrogen station.

Hybrid Vehicle Distributed Power Generation sponsored by ERA Power Inc.: ERA Power is currently sponsoring a feasibility study to investigate the adaptation of production hybrid vehicles to perform distributed power generation.

Long-term Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstration sponsored by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., PA-DEP, and other sources: This proposed project is intended to demonstrate the long-term operational performance of the Air Products hydrogen fueling station installed at Penn State. A fleet of vehicles will be converted to hydrogen fuel with sufficient demand to heavily load the hydrogen station. The fleet will consist of three transit buses, eight utility vans, and one car. Existing compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses operated by Centre Area Transit Authority (catabus.com) on the Penn State Campus Loop route will be converted to run on a blend of hydrogen and CNG. Eight CNG utility vans operated by Penn State Office of Physical Plant will also be converted to run on the hydrogen/CNG blend. A passenger car will be converted to run on 100% hydrogen and used by PTI for campus travel.