This work aims to develop a mathematical model for the simulation of a fuel cell (FC) hybrid powertrain. The work starts from modeling a single cell to obtain information on the entire FC stack. The model obtained was integrated into a simulation tool presented in the literature that simulates the longitudinal dynamics of auxiliary power unit hybrid electric vehicles and fully electric vehicles. Therefore, the integrated model allows the simulation of hybrid vehicles equipped with FC and a battery pack that acts as a peak power source. The tool simulates the mechanical and electrical behavior of the vehicle, introducing an investigation of the power flows relating to the FC and batteries. An appropriate power split logic has been implemented, allowing the correct management of the power distribution between the FC and the batteries. The importance of analyzing FC vehicles’ behavior arises from the recent necessity to find alternative propulsion systems, overcoming the range problems associated with fully electric vehicles. The innovation lies in the versatility and modularity of the model, which is open to modifications and features a low computational burden, making it suitable for testing new solutions by performing first design and sizing calculations.

To promote the development of new technologies that allow an intensive use of renewable green energies and to overcome the problem of the lack of range of full electric vehicles, an interesting energy source is biomethane. The Fuel Cells (FCs) systems benefit from high efficiency and zero emissions, and they are generally powered by hydrogen. One of the main problems related to hydrogen FCs is the current weak network of infrastructure’s need to supply the hydrogen itself. An alternative may be the development of FC vehicles powered by methane, or biomethane, to exploit a renewable energy source. The type of Fuel Cells that lends itself to a methane (or biomethane) power supply is the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Considering the limitations of the SOFCs, a vehicle model powered by Fuel Cells fueled by methane (or biomethane) is created. This work concerns the creation of a vehicle model, and the sizing of the SOFC system (generator delivering a constant 3 kW) and battery pack (30 Ah), for a door-to-door waste collection vehicle, whose mission is known. The latter is a fundamental requirement due to the limitations found for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: slow transient and long ignition times.

This paper addresses a multi-pollutant decision problem to identify effective strategies to improve air quality in densely inhabited and industrialized areas. The problem is formulated as a two-objective one: minimize an air quality indicator and the costs of emission-reduction policies. A comprehensive air quality indicator is defined to include both PM2.5 and NO₂ yearly average concentrations. Two different assumptions are used to determine the feasible reduction measures: the sole application of end-of-pipe measures or the combination of energy, fuel switching, and end-of-pipe measures. The case study is the Po Valley in Northern Italy, characterized by one of the worst air quality in Europe. Results show that implementing combined measures results in a 22 % decrease of PM2.5 and 46 % of NO₂ mean concentrations. The adopted policies concern energy measures in the transport sector and the application of end-of-pipe measures in domestic heating, agriculture, and paint applications.