A Proposal for Testing Fuel Cell Performance Under Resistive Loads

Authors

Corressponding author's email:

phuonglong@lhu.edu.vn

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54644/jte.2025.1770

Keywords:

Resistive load, Fuel cell, Fuel cell power, Fuel cell cosumption, Fuel cell efficiency

Abstract

Fuel cells are a potential energy source for zero-emission vehicles due to their high efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, their implementation on real-world loads still faces significant challenges, including manufacturing technology, cost, and experimental risks. This study proposes a method to test the performance of fuel cell systems on urban vehicle models, through load levels of 10Ω, 5Ω, 2Ω, and 1Ω, corresponding to low, medium, and high current consumption levels. The load test mode is implemented for 20 minutes, in which the starting level is 20s in 1Ω mode and 240s in 10Ω, 5Ω, and 2Ω modes, respectively. The results show that the hydrogen consumption is affected by the consumed current and the system efficiency increases by 3-6% depending on the operating mode. However, during startup, the high current causes the voltage to always drop below 12V, requiring an auxiliary power source from a Li-ion battery to protect the fuel cell system. To maintain a power level that keeps the voltage close to 12V, a voltage converter is needed for the system.

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Author Biographies

Phuong Long Le, Lac Hong University, Vietnam

Phuong Long Le is a lecturer and researcher at Lac Hong University (LHU). He earned a Bachelor degree at Lac Hong University - Viet Nam, a Master's degree at National Kaohsiung University of Applied Science - Taiwan, and a PhD at National Chung Cheng University - Taiwan. He works in the energy efficiency field. His study is focussed on ICE energy efficiency, battery electric efficiency, fuel cell efficiency.

His contact is via: phuonglong@lhu.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0228-2377

Thanh Son Nguyen, Lac Hong University, Vietnam

Thanh Son Nguyen (born in 1980, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai) is the Director of the Center for Scientific Research and Application at Lac Hong University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Circuit and System Engineering from Jilin University, China. His main research interests include high-speed wireless communication, UWB technology, image processing, renewable energy, and emerging energy sources.

Email: nguyenthanhson@lhu.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8952-9294

Duc Duy Nguyen, Lac Hong University, Vietnam

Duc Duy Nguyen is a student: 4th year. Major: Automotive Engineering Technology. Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Email: duyfaker93@gmail.com. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6798-5233

Tin Dat Do, Lac Hong University, Vietnam

Tin Dat Do is a student: 4th year. Major: Automotive Engineering Technology. Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Email: do4134513@gmail.com. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9316-4818

Hai Dang Vu, Lac Hong University, Vietnam

Hai Dang Vu is a student: 3th year. Major: Automotive Engineering Technology. Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Email: vuhaidang080104@gmail.com. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5272-8898

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Published

28-08-2025

How to Cite

[1]
Lê Phương Long, Nguyễn Thanh Sơn, Nguyễn Đức Duy, Đỗ Tín Đạt, and Vũ Hải Đăng, “A Proposal for Testing Fuel Cell Performance Under Resistive Loads”, JTE, vol. 20, no. 03(V), pp. 13–21, Aug. 2025.

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Research Article

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