IIT Bombay finds solution to optimise EV fuel cell components

24 Jul 2024 CW Team

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a novel method to optimise the weight and size distribution of components in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). This innovation aims to enhance vehicle efficiency and facilitate commercial adoption.

The new method optimises the weight, cost, and range of FCEVs by recommending the optimal size for the radiator and thermal energy storage (TES) unit. This approach addresses the challenge of managing the heat generated by fuel cells, which traditionally requires large radiators, thereby increasing vehicle weight and size.

IIT Bombay's team, led by Prof Prakash C. Ghosh and Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF) Nadiya Philip, proposed a compact radiator coupled with a TES unit. This setup uses paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) to store thermal energy, significantly reducing radiator size and maintaining a constant coolant temperature.

The study combines Electrical Energy Storage (EES) systems with TES units and employs pinch analysis to determine the optimal sizes for radiators, fuel cells, EES, and TES components. This integration could potentially reduce the radiator size in heavy-duty vehicles by up to 2.5 times, optimising weight, volume, cost, and range according to manufacturers' needs.

Future steps include lab-scale experiments and real-time vehicle testing to validate the proposed thermal management system's effectiveness under various driving conditions. (Source: ET)

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..