Hierarchical power control

A system for hierarchical power control, comprising:

• a plurality of first controllers arranged in a first hierarchical layer of a control topology, each of the plurality of first controllers configured to manage a respective fuel cell stack of a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to provide electrical energy to a component in a vehicle;
• a plurality of second controllers arranged in the first hierarchical layer, the plurality of second controllers coupled with a plurality of battery packs disposed in the vehicle, each of the plurality of second controllers configured to manage a respective battery pack of the plurality of battery packs;
• a third controller corresponding to a supervisory controller coupled with the plurality of first controllers and the plurality of second controllers, the third controller arranged in a second hierarchical layer of the control topology, the third controller configured to interface with:
• (i) one or more of the plurality of first controllers and the plurality of second controllers and (ii) a vehicle powertrain configured to control propulsion of the vehicle;
• and
• a plurality of fourth controllers arranged in a third hierarchical layer of the control topology, at least one fourth controller of the plurality of fourth controllers configured to:
• (i) regulate at least one of an electrical control and a thermal manager for at least one of the plurality of fuel cell stacks and (ii) control at least one first controller of the plurality of first controllers arranged in the first hierarchical layer.

A method for hierarchical power control, comprising:

• identifying a plurality of first controllers in a first hierarchical layer of a control topology, each of the plurality of first controllers configured to control a first source of energy of a vehicle based on first data of the first source of energy, the first source of energy comprising a fuel cell stack;
• identifying a plurality of second controllers in the first hierarchical layer of the control topology, each of the plurality of second controllers configured to control a second source of energy of the vehicle based on second data of the second source of energy, the second source of energy comprising a battery pack;
• coupling a third controller, corresponding to a supervisory controller arranged in a second hierarchical layer of the control topology, with the plurality of first controllers and the plurality of second controllers;
• coupling a fourth controller, arranged in a third hierarchical layer of the control topology, with the third controller and one or more of the plurality of first controllers;
• receiving, by the third controller, the first data and the second data;
• generating, by the third controller, a control signal based on the first data and the second data;
• and
• transmitting, by the third controller, the control signal to a component of the vehicle to control the component of the vehicle,
• wherein the fourth controller is to:
• (i) regulate at least one of an electrical control and a thermal manager for the fuel cell stack;
• and
• (ii) control the one or more of the plurality of first controllers arranged in the first hierarchical layer.