Modeling and simulation of stand-alone fuel cell system for distributed generation application

Fuel cell (FC) is one of the most suitable candidates for distributed generation system either in standalone or grid connected mode. Due to the cleanness, modularity and higher potentiality, FC systems can be used in both single and hybrid systems for power generation. In this study a 26 kW standalone proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based energy system is developed using MATLAB/Simulink®. The PEMFC stack is modeled based on the mathematical equations and implemented using the Simulink blocks. Similarly the power converters are also modeled using the Simulink block sets. The PEMFC output DC voltage is stepped up using a boost DC-DC converter then fed to a PWM based inverter. The controller for DC-DC boost converter is a PI based single loop voltage controller. The inverter controller uses RMS feedback controller and LC filter. The AC output power is tested with resistive (R) and inductive (RL) loads. The dynamic performance of FC stack is also verified by applying step changes in both resistive and inductive loads. Simulation results shows that the PEMFC stack is capable of delivering the maximum output power with voltage and current ripple within tolerable range. Moreover, the AC output voltage, frequency are within the acceptable range.