Optimal Design of Hybrid Electric Fuel Cell Vehicles Under Uncertainty and Enterprise Considerations

Abstract

Hybrid electric fuel cell vehicles are studied using a system perspective that explores the tradeoffs among fuel economy, acceleration, and other vehicle attributes. Design decisions are derived from an enterprise decision-making model that seeks to maximize profit. Uncertainties stemming from manufacturing variability, customer preferences, and market response to fuel price fluctuations are also included. The system is hierarchically partitioned into three levels that comprise enterprise, powertrain, fuel cell, and battery subsystem models. Analytical target cascading, a decomposition-based multidisciplinary design optimization strategy, is used to solve the resulting problem. Results indicate a strong interaction between enterprise and engineering considerations, and a significant impact of uncertainty on the optimal system design.