A three-port bi-directional converter for hybrid fuel cell systems

The implementation of a fuel cell/battery hybrid system is proposed to improve the slow transient response of a PEM fuel cell stack. This system can be used for an autonomous device with quick load variations. A suitable three-port, galvanic isolated, bi-directional power converter is proposed to control the power flow. An energy management method for the proposed three-port circuit is analyzed and implemented. Measurements from a 500 W laboratory prototype are presented to demonstrate the validity of the approach.