Fuel Cell Buses in Transit Use - Update on Canada and London

摘要

Hydrogen fueled buses using hybrid electric drive and advanced forms of fuel cell engines and electrical power storage have been successfully introduced into daily transit fleet service. Herein we review the implementation of fuel cell powered transit service, including: The Canadian program of a fleet of twenty fuel cell buses, serving Whistler Village British Columbia, The London program for hydrogen fueled buses, Other recent programs in California and in Europe. Maturing hybrid electric and fuel cell technologies now offer unique opportunities in providing clean, quiet and efficient public transport. Replacing diesel fuel with hydrogen is the closing step to offering a zero emission ride which can be fueled from renewable sources while providing the smoothest and quietest transit experience. BC Transit now operates twenty hydrogen fueled buses. London has five and will take delivery of more this year. The bus drive trains were designed by ISE1 with coach fabrication by New Flyer and Wrightbus respectively. The Canadian and the London buses are distinct designs: Whistler Village buses use 150kW fuel cell power, a 40 kWh Lithium-ion battery, and have GVW of 22 ton. The London buses have a 75kW fuel cell, ultra-capacitor energy storage, and a 15 ton GVW made possible by the aluminum body. The Canadian fleet was introduced into service in early 2010 and provides the majority of transit service in Whistler Village. The availability of these buses has of late been in excess of the 85% goal. Although the London buses have been in service for only a few months, they are serving the same duty cycle and hours as the older Transport for London Buses of conventional technology. Design improvements in these buses further improve the availability and maintainability.