DERA is actively involved in the area of hybrid-electric vehicles and electro-chemical power sources. It has a research program in place which aims to assess the benefits and risks of hybrid propulsion for military off-road vehicles. This has been underpinned by fundamental research into power sources, including fuel cells, ultracapacitors, batteries, hydrogen storage and fuel reformation. An initial examination of the trade-off between technology options for a 6x6 demonstrator vehicle has been undertaken though simulation, packaging studies and cost assessment. From this, it has been concluded that the demonstrator will use diesel generators, based on two car-sized diesel engines with permanent magnet motor/generators, and a battery. This will be evaluated in the field and the results used as part of the overall cost/benefit analysis. In the longer term, significant advances in the supply and storage of hydrogen, or the reformation of logistic fuels, would be required before the fuel cell is considered as a viable option for military vehicles. Substantial challenges in terms of cost, robustness and, for the reformer in particular, start-up times also remain. Fundamental issues such as these are being addressed by the work of the DERA EPSC, both for marine and land applications.
Activities in alternative propulsion within the Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), UK
Aktivitäten bei alternativen Vortriebssystemen in der Behörde für Verteidigungsbewertung und -forschung (DERA), Großbritannien
1999
8 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 2 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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