Romania

With the development of technologies in recent decades and the imposition of international standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions car manufacturers have turned their attention to new technologies related to electric/hybrid vehicles and electric fuel cell vehicles. This paper focuses on electric fuel cell vehicles which optimally combine the fuel cell system with hybrid energy storage systems represented by batteries and ultracapacitors to meet the dynamic power demand required by the electric motor and auxiliary systems. This paper compares the latest proposed topologies for fuel cell electric vehicles and reveals the new technologies and DC/DC converters involved to generate up-to-date information for researchers and developers interested in this specialized field. From a software point of view the latest energy management strategies are analyzed and compared with the reference strategies taking into account performance indicators such as energy efficiency hydrogen consumption and degradation of the subsystems involved which is the main challenge for car developers. The advantages and disadvantages of three types of strategies (rule-based strategies optimization-based strategies and learning-based strategies) are discussed. Thus future software developers can focus on new control algorithms in the area of artificial intelligence developed to meet the challenges posed by new technologies for autonomous vehicles.

Purpose- To present an overview of the research and development carried out in a European funded framework 7 (FP7) project called SafeHPower for the implementation of neutron radiography to inspect fatigue cracks in vehicle and storage hydrogen fuel tanks. Project background– Hydrogen (H2) is the most promising replacement fuel for road transport due to its abundance efficiency low carbon footprint and the absence of harmful emissions. For the mass market of hydrogen to take off the safety issue surrounding the vehicle and storage hydrogen tanks needs to be addressed. The problem is the residual and additional stresses experienced by the tanks during the continuous cyclic loading between ambient and storage pressure which can result in the development of fatigue cracks. Steel tanks used as storage containers at service stations and depots and/or the composite tanks lined with steel are known to suffer from hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Another issue is the explosive nature of hydrogen (when it is present in the 18-59% range) where it is mixed with oxygen which can lead to catastrophic consequences including loss of life. Monitoring systems that currently exist in the market impose visual examination tests pressure tests and hydrostatic tests after the tank installation [1] [2]. Three inspection systems have been developed under this project to provide continuous monitoring solutions. Approach and scope- One of the inspection systems based on the neutron radiography (NR) technology that was developed in different phases with the application of varied strategies has been presented here. Monte Carlo (MCNP) simulation results to design and develop a bespoke collimator have been presented. A limitation of using an inertial electrostatic Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) pulsed neutron generator for fast neutron radiography has been discussed. Radiographs from the hydrogen tank samples obtained using thermal neutrons from a spallation neutron source at ISIS Rutherford laboratory UK have been presented. Furthermore radiograph obtained using thermal neutrons from a portable D-T neutron generator has been presented. In conclusion a proof in principle has been made to show that the defects in the hydrogen fuel tank can be detected using thermal neutron radiography.

A novel Pd/templated carbon catalyst (Pd/TC) was developed characterized and tested in the dehydrogenation of formic acid (FA) under mild conditions with the possibility to control the H₂ generation rate in the absence or presence of HCOONa (SF) by adjusting the Pd:FA and/or FA:SF ratios. The characterization results of the templated carbon obtained by the chemical vapor deposition of acetylene on NaY zeolite revealed different structural and morphological properties compared to other C-based supports. Therefore it was expected to induce a different catalytic behavior for the Pd/TC catalyst. Indeed the TC-supported Pd catalyst exhibited superior activity in the decomposition of FA even at room temperature with turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 143.7 and 218.8 h⁻¹ at 60 °C. The H2 generation rate increased with an increasing temperature while the H₂ yield increased with a decreasing FA concentration. Constant generation of gaseous flow (H₂ + CO₂) was achieved for 11 days by the complete dehydrogenation of FA at room temperature using a 2 M FA solution and Pd:FA = 1:2100. The presence of SF in the reaction medium significantly enhanced the H₂ generation rate (535 h⁻¹ for FA:SF = 3:1 and 60 °C).

Considering the current environmental restrictions particularly those imposed on fossil fuel exploitation hydrogen stands out as a very promising alternative for the power and transportation sectors. This paper investigates the effects of the employment of hydrogen in a K9K automotive diesel engine. Experiments were conducted at a speed of 2000 min−1 with various engine load levels of 40% 55% 70% and 85%; several quantities were monitored to evaluate the performance with hydrogen use in terms of brake-specific energetic consumption (BSEC) fuel economy maximum pressure and heat-release characteristics. It was found that at 55% engine load the engine efficiency increased by 5.3% with hydrogen addition achieving a diesel fuel economy of 1.32 kg/h. The rate of increase of the peak pressure and maximum pressure started to increase as a consequence of the higher fuel quantity that burned in the premixed combustion phase while still remaining within reliable operational limits. The accelerated combustion and augmented heat release rate resulted in a combustion duration that was reduced by 3◦ CA (crank angle degree) achieving a mass fraction burned percentage of 10% to 90% earlier in the cycle and the combustion variability was also influenced. Hydrogen use assured the decrease of CO2 HC NOx and smoke emission levels in comparison with classic fueling.

Recent environmental and climate change issues make it imperative to persistently approach research into the development of technologies designed to ensure the sustainability of global mobility. At the European Union level the transport sector is responsible for approximately 28% of greenhouse gas emissions and 84% of them are associated with road transport. One of the most effective ways to enhance the de-carbonization process of the transport sector is through the promotion of electric propulsion which involves overcoming barriers related to reduced driving autonomy and the long time required to recharge the batteries. This paper develops and implements a method meant to increase the autonomy and reduce the battery charging time of an electric car to comparable levels of an internal combustion engine vehicle. By doing so the cost of such vehicles is the only remaining significant barrier in the way of a mass spread of electric propulsion. The chosen method is to hybridize the electric powertrain by using an additional source of fuel; hydrogen gas stored in pressurized cylinders is converted in situ into electrical energy by means of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The power generated on board can then be used under the command of a dedicated management system for battery charging leading to an increase in the vehicle’s autonomy. Modeling and simulation results served to easily adjust the size of the fuel cell hybrid electric powertrain. After optimization an actual fuel cell was built and implemented on a vehicle that used the body of a Jeep Wrangler from which the thermal engine associated subassemblies and gearbox were removed. Once completed the vehicle was tested in traffic conditions and its functional performance was established.

In Spain the institutional framework for photovoltaic energy production has experienced distinct stages. From 2007 to 2012 the feed-in-tariff system led to high annual growth rates of this renewable energy but after the suppression of the policy of public subsidies the sector stagnated. In recent years green hydrogen an innocuous gas in the atmosphere has become a driving force that stimulates photovoltaic energy production. Since 2020 encouraged by the European energy strategies and corresponding funds Spain has established a regulation to promote green hydrogen as a form of energy resource. Adopting the new institutional economics (NIE) approach this article investigates the process of changing incentives for the energy business sector and its impact on photovoltaic energy production. The results show an increase in the number of both projects approved or on approval and companies involved in green hydrogen that are planning to use photovoltaic energy in Spain thus engendering the creation of a new photovoltaic business environment based on innovation and sustainability.

This paper navigates the critical role of hydrogen in catalyzing a sustainable energy transformation. This review delves into hydrogen production methodologies spotlighting green and blue hydrogen as pivotal for future energy systems because of their potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through a comprehensive literature review and a bibliometric analysis this study underscores the importance of technological advancements policy support and market incentives in promoting hydrogen as a key energy vector. It also explores the necessity of expanding renewable energy sources and international cooperation to secure a sustainable low-carbon future. The analysis highlights the importance of scalable and cost-effective hydrogen production methods such as solar-thermochemical and photo-electrochemical processes and addresses the challenges posed by resource availability and geopolitical factors in establishing a hydrogen economy. This paper serves as a guide for policy and innovation toward achieving global sustainability goals illustrating the essential role of hydrogen in the energy transition.

Green hydrogen has become a central topic in discussions about the global energy transition seen as a promising solution for decarbonizing economies and meeting climate goals. As part of the process of decarbonization green hydrogen can replace fossil fuels currently in use helping to reduce emissions in sectors vital to the global economy such as industry and transport as well as in the power and heat sectors. Whilst there is significant potential for green hydrogen there are also challenges. The upfront costs for infrastructure and technology are high and the availability and accessibility of the renewables needed for production varies by region. Green hydrogen production and storage technologies are continuously evolving and being promoted as the demand for hydrogen in many applications grows. Considering this this paper presents the main methods for its production and storage as well as its economic impact. Hence the trend of governments and international organizations is to invest in research and development to make this technology more accessible and efficient given the carbon reduction targets.

In the global content regarding the impact on the environmental of the gases emissions resulted from the fossil fuels combustion aspect discussed on the 2015 Paris Climate Conference contribute to the necessity of searching of alternative energy from durable and renewable resources. The purpose of the paper is the use of hydrogen fuelling at truck diesel engine in order to improves engine efficiency and pollutant performance hydrogen being injected into the inlet manifold. Experimental results show better energetic and pollution performance of the dual fuelled engine due to the improvement of the combustion process and reduction of carbon content.

This study presents the development and implementation of an AI-driven control system for dynamic regulation of hydrogen blending in natural gas networks. Leveraging supervised machine learning techniques a Random Forest Classifier was trained to accurately identify the origin of gas blends based on compositional fingerprints achieving rapid inference suitable for real-time applications. Concurrently a Random Forest Regression model was developed to estimate the optimal hydrogen flow rate required to meet a user-defined higher calorific value target demonstrating exceptional predictive accuracy with a mean absolute error of 0.0091 Nm3 and a coefficient of determination (R2 ) of 0.9992 on test data. The integrated system deployed via a Streamlit-based graphical interface provides continuous real-time adjustments of gas composition alongside detailed physicochemical property estimation and emission metrics. Validation through comparative analysis of predicted versus actual hydrogen flow rates confirms the robustness and generalizability of the approach under both simulated and operational conditions. The proposed framework enhances operational transparency and economic efficiency by enabling adaptive blending control and automatic source identification thereby facilitating optimized fuel quality management and compliance with industrial standards. This work contributes to advancing smart combustion technologies and supports the sustainable integration of renewable hydrogen in existing gas infrastructures.