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Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems for Sustainable Transportation

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A5: Hydrogen Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2024 | Viewed by 4791

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Matteo Genovese

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: hydrogen refueling infrastructure; hydrogen station; fuel cell-based systems

Dr. Francesco Piraino

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: innovative fuel cell-based powertrains; heavy-duty mobility; control systems

Prof. Dr. Petronilla Fragiacomo

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: hydrogen-based energy systems; fuel cell systems for polygeneration and sustainable mobility; alternative fuel energy systems; biomass valorization; co- and tri-generative power systems; renewable energy sources; hydrogen station; hydrogen valleys

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concerns about climate change, the need to innovate and integrate various energy sectors, and energy dependency, are driving the worldwide momentum for hydrogen-based technologies.

By examining novel concepts and designs or by presenting engaging case studies with an industrial focus, researchers can add value to the needs of industry when it comes to light- and heavy-duty fuel cell-based mobility, road/rail or maritime vehicles. Hydrogen refueling stations play a crucial role as essential infrastructures that must ensure a secure and effective refueling process. This is directly related to the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles. The number of hydrogen refueling stations around the world can be increased through research and innovation efforts, as well as by analyzing the profitability of running hydrogen stations and participating in test operations.

This Special Issue's objective is to present and disseminate the most recent advances in the theory, design, modeling, application and control of fuel cell-based vehicles, including both low-temperature and high-temperature fuel cells, as well as hydrogen stations and the associated refueling processes.

Publication-worthy subjects can include, but are not restricted to:

All aspects of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs), including on-site HRSs and off-site HRSs.
Modeling or experimental activities on HRSs.
Thermodynamic investigation of the hydrogen refueling process and current procedures.
Innovative applications of HRSs or case studies of industrial relevance.
Applications of low- and high-temperature fuel cells in electric powertrains.
Sustainable mobility with fuel cell-based systems for road, rail and maritime applications.
Control strategies for fuel cell-based powertrains.
Techno-economic analyses of sustainable mobility scenarios, of hydrogen refueling stations and related hydrogen valleys.

Dr. Matteo Genovese
Dr. Francesco Piraino
Prof. Dr. Petronilla Fragiacomo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fuel cell-based systems
sustainable transportation
hydrogen refueling stations
hydrogen refueling process
light- and heavy-duty vehicles
techno-economic analyses
modelling and/or experimental analyses
new and innovative applications

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 908 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing a Deep Learning Model for the Steam Reforming Process Using Data Augmentation Techniques

by Zofia Pizoń, Shinji Kimijima and Grzegorz Brus

Energies 2024, 17(10), 2413; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102413 - 17 May 2024

Viewed by 237

Abstract

Methane steam reforming is the foremost method for hydrogen production, and it has been studied through experiments and diverse computational models to enhance its energy efficiency. This study focuses on employing an artificial neural network as a model of the methane steam reforming process. The proposed data-driven model predicts the output mixture’s composition based on reactor operating conditions, such as the temperature, steam-to-methane ratio, nitrogen-to-methane ratio, methane flow, and nickel catalyst mass. The network, a feedforward type, underwent training with a comprehensive dataset augmentation strategy that augments the primary experimental dataset through interpolation and theoretical simulations of the process, ensuring a robust model training phase. Additionally, it introduces weights to evaluate the relative significance of different data categories (experimental, interpolated, and theoretical) within the dataset. The optimal artificial neural network architecture was determined by evaluating various configurations, with the aim of minimizing the mean squared error (0.00022) and maximizing the Pearson correlation coefficient (0.97) and Spearman correlation coefficient (1.00). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems for Sustainable Transportation)

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11 pages, 1502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Water Retention, Transport, and Conductivity Performance in Fuel Cell Applications: Nafion-Based Nanocomposite Membranes with Organomodified Graphene Oxide Nanoplatelets

by Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman, Luigi Coppola, Ernestino Lufrano, Isabella Nicotera and Cataldo Simari

Energies 2023, 16(23), 7759; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16237759 - 24 Nov 2023

Viewed by 700

Abstract

The synergistic combination of Nafion and sulfonated graphene oxide (GOsulf) in nanocomposite membranes emerged as a promising strategy for advancing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology. In the pursuit of elucidating the effect of GOsulf introduction on transport properties and electrochemical performance of Nafion, this work provides a systematic study combining swelling tests, water release tests, ¹H NMR characterization, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) investigation. The incorporation of organomodified GO nanolayers alters the distribution of water molecules within the hydrophilic domains of Nafion and produces a considerable increase in the “bound-water” fraction. This increases its water retention capability while ensuring very high diffusivity even under high temperatures, i.e., 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ at 130 °C. These peculiar features enable Naf-GOsulf to successfully operate under a dehydrating environment, yielding a proton conductivity of 44.9 mS cm⁻¹ at 30% RH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems for Sustainable Transportation)

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25 pages, 4329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Activities on a Hydrogen-Powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System and Guidelines for Its Implementation in Aviation and Maritime Sectors

by Petronilla Fragiacomo, Francesco Piraino, Matteo Genovese, Orlando Corigliano and Giuseppe De Lorenzo

Energies 2023, 16(15), 5671; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155671 - 28 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2712

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are spreading worldwide and, for limited applications, also in the transport sector where high power rates are required. In this context, this paper investigates the performance of a six-cell SOFC stack by means of experimental tests at different power levels. The experimental campaign is based on two different stages: the heating phase, useful for leading the system temperature to approximately 750 °C, and the test stage, in which the experimental activities are properly carried out with varying input parameters, such as the DC current load. In addition, a detailed post-processing activity is conducted to investigate the main performance that could be used in the scale-up processes to design and size a SOFC-based system for transportation. The experimental results concern the electrical power, which reaches 165 W, roughly 27 W for each cell and with 52% electrical efficiency, as well as the theoretical thermal power and efficiency, useful for cogeneration processes, with maximum values of 80 W and 25%, respectively, achieved at maximum load. This discussion then shifts to an in-depth analysis of the possible applications of SOFCs in sustainable mobility, particularly in the maritime and aviation industries. The complexities of the issues presented underscore the field’s multidisciplinary nature, ranging from materials science to system integration, and environmental science to regulatory standards. The findings presented could be useful to scientists, engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders working on the development and commercialization of SOFC systems in the sustainable transportation sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems for Sustainable Transportation)

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Review

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24 pages, 2963 KiB

Open AccessReview

Permeability: The Driving Force That Influences the Mechanical Behavior of Polymers Used for Hydrogen Storage and Delivery

by Emanuele Sgambitterra and Leonardo Pagnotta

Energies 2024, 17(9), 2216; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092216 - 4 May 2024

Viewed by 592

Abstract

This article explores the main mechanisms that can generate damage in polymers and polymer-based materials used for hydrogen storage and distribution infrastructures. All of these mechanisms are driven by the permeability process that is enhanced by the operating temperature and pressure conditions. Hydrogen storage and delivery systems typically work under high pressure and a relatively wide range of temperatures, especially during the filling and emptying processes. Therefore, it is of great interest to better understand how this phenomenon can influence the integrity of polymer-based hydrogen infrastructures in order to avoid catastrophic events and to better design/investigate new optimized solutions. The first part of this paper discusses the main storage and delivery solutions for gas and liquid hydrogen. Then, the physics of the permeability is investigated with a focus on the effect of pressure and temperature on the integrity of polymers working in a hydrogen environment. Finally, the main mechanisms that mostly induce damage in polymers operating in a hydrogen environment and that influence their mechanical properties are explored and discussed. Particular focus was placed on the rapid gas decompression and aging phenomena. In addition, some of the limits that still exist for a reliable design of polymer-based storage and delivery systems for hydrogen are pointed out. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems for Sustainable Transportation)

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