OPTIMAL FUEL-CELL SYSTEM-DESIGN CONSIDERING FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION COSTS

In this work the optimization-based, integrated concurrent design meth od is applied to the modelling, analysis, and design of a transportati on fuel cell system. A general optimal design model considering both f unctional performance and production costs is first introduced. Using the Ballard Mark V Transit Bus fuel cell system as an example, the stu dy explores the intrinsic relations among various fuel cell system per formance and cost aspects to provide insights for new cost-effective d esigns. A joint performance and cost optimization is carried out to de monstrate this new approach. This approach breaks the traditional barr ier between design (concerning functional performance) and manufacturi ng (conceming production costs), allowing both functional performance and production costs to be fed into design phase and to be jointly opt imized. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.