ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Energy Res.
Sec. Energy Storage
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1374807
Dynamic Performance Improvement in Fuel Cell Vehicle Traction Systems Using a Hybrid Energy Storage Approach with High-Gain Non-Isolated DC-DC Conversion with Walrus MPPT Optimization Algorithm
Provisionally accepted
Seella Srividya
Sathish Kumar Kannaiah*- VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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This research work presents a new energy management framework for Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), combining a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) with a High-Gain Non-Isolated DC-DC Converter and a bio-inspired Walrus Optimization Algorithm for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). The proposed system addresses challenges in dynamic energy coordination, fuel cell efficiency, and transient load response by integrating the fast dynamics of supercapacitors and the sustained power of lithium-ion batteries. Unlike conventional MPPT techniques, the Walrus MPPT achieves superior performance in terms of tracking efficiency (99.12%), reduced settling time and output ripple. The converter's high voltage gain ensures compatibility with varying load and drive demands in electric traction systems. Comprehensive simulations under varying torque, speed, and pressure conditions validate the system's dynamic performance, including a fuel cell power improvement and optimized battery-supercapacitor coordination. Conventional MPPT was compared across two drive cycles, demonstrating the Walrus algorithm's consistent superiority. Hardware-inthe-loop (HIL) testing on the OPAL-RT OP4510 platform further confirms real-time feasibility, achieving stable load-side power delivery and smooth motor operation. This framework offers a scalable solution for improving FCV energy efficiency, reducing hydrogen consumption, and contributing to sustainable automotive innovation.
Keywords: fuel cell vehicle, Hybrid energy storage system, High-Gain Non-Isolated DC-DC Converter, Bio inspired algorithm, Traction system
Received: 22 Jan 2024; Accepted: 22 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Srividya and Kannaiah. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Sathish Kumar Kannaiah, kansathh21@yahoo.co.in
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