Hybrid & Hydrogen Vehicle Research Laboratory
- In-Vehicle Testing and Computer Modeling of Electric Vehicle Batteries sponsored by DARPA: Field testing was conducted at LTI 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 HHVRL series hybrid vehicle. Battery voltage, current, and temperature data were logged during testing at the LTI test 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 HHVRL series hybrid. Standard bus driving cycles were performed on the chassis dynamometer and at the LTI test track. Models of system components were integrated into US DOE PSAT simulation software. Field data was used to validate PSAT simulations of the test vehicle. Further simulations predicted the benefits of battery/ultracapacitor energy storage for in-service hybrid transit vehicles which incoluded 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) was installed at the Penn State Office of Physical Plant (OPP) in 2004. HHVRL provided some project management for installation and short-term demonstration of the hydrogen station via conversion of a Centre Area Transit Authority (CATA) (catabus.com) bus and OPP van to run on 70% CNG and 30% Hydrogen blend.
- Hybrid Vehicle Distributed Power Generation sponsored by ERA Power Inc.: ERA Power sponsored 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 project demonstrated the long-term operational performance of the Air Products hydrogen fueling station installed at Penn State OPP.