Master Thesis - Hydrogen Storage System Modelling for Fuel Cell Electric Trucks
Göteborg, SE, 417 15
Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.
Background
The transformation towards sustainable transport solutions is ongoing and we are committed to developing competitive solutions for Volvo Group's future products. Complete-vehicle simulation is a key tool in this work. Within Volvo Group Trucks Technology, the Global Simulation Platform (GSP) combines environment, driver, physical component and controller models in MATLAB/Simulink to predict energy consumption, performance and range on real duty cycles, and to support software- and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Software Solution develops and uses these simulation models for our fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) programmes.
Fuel cell electric vehicles are one of the major pillars in the fossil free transportation industry. The on-board hydrogen storage system determines how much of the stored hydrogen can be used, how the vehicle behaves in cold or hot climates, and how fast it can be refuelled.
Thesis Tasks
In our current vehicle models, the storage system is only represented in a simplified way. The focus of this thesis is to develop a physics-based, system-level model of a high-pressure multi-tank hydrogen storage system and integrate it into the GSP FCEV vehicle model. The work includes:
- Real-gas thermodynamic and thermal modelling of the tanks during driving and refuelling.
- Modelling of the hydrogen supply path (valves and pressure regulation) to the fuel cell system.
- Control and state-of-fill functions, such as minimum-pressure handling and estimation of usable hydrogen and remaining range.
- Integration into the vehicle model according to GSP modelling standards, and validation against measured or supplier data.
- The project can be shaped around one of the following research directions:
- Model fidelity versus computational cost: what level of detail is required to accurately predict hydrogen consumption, usable hydrogen and range in complete-vehicle simulation?
- Estimation of usable hydrogen and remaining range under sensor uncertainty and varying ambient conditions, and its impact on vehicle energy management.
During the project you will gain experience with MATLAB/Simulink, complete-vehicle simulation on real duty cycles, and model validation in an industrial development environment. The final research question and scope will be defined together with the supervisors.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a self-driven student/-s with genuine interest in thermodynamics, modelling and simulation from an MSc programme in mechanical, energy, mobility or electrical engineering, or engineering physics. Good knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink is required; experience with heat transfer, real-gas thermodynamics or state estimation is a merit. You get an opportunity to work together with highly skilled colleagues in an exciting, dynamic and fast developing environment which provides opportunities to develop both professionally and personally.
Project start: January 2027
Contact: Zikun Wang, Industrial Supervisor, Volvo TTI – FCEV Performance Management, Göteborg, Sweden
Email: zikun.wang@volvo.com
Last application date is: 30th of November 2026.
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Who we are and what we believe in
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.
Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
Trucks Technology & Industrial Division hire team players who are ready to create real customer impact. Our decentralized teams work close to our customers, with speed and autonomy, to build what they truly need.
Join us to collaborate on innovative, sustainable technologies that redefine how we design, build, and deliver value. Bring your curiosity, your expertise, and your collaborative energy, and together, we’ll turn bold ideas into tangible solutions for our customers and contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.