Model of a photovoltaic fuel-cell generator

Distributed generation (DG) system ranging in size from a few kilowatts up to 50 MW refers to a variety of small, modular power-generating technologies connected to the electric grid which combined with energy management and storage systems to improve the operation of electricity delivery systems. DG provides solutions to two long standing problems of power system operation: nonavailability at all times of sufficient power generation to meet peak demands and the lack of capacity of existing transmission lines to carry all the electricity needed by consumers. Installing DG at or near a customer load can eliminate the need to upgrade existing transmission and distribution networks to handle the extra power requirement. The paper presents a model of the photovoltaic fuel generator (PVFC) for localized load management. Results obtained for dynamic and steady-state characteristics are presented and discussed. Photovoltaic systems employ direct current motors; therefore understanding of the system operation and the matching of the system components for a particular PV system, DC motor type, and load type are important factors of this system design. The performance of DC motor powered by PV generator connected the load, were analysed with respect to the transient (starting) and steady state operation. Since the PV generator is a nonlinear and time dependent power supply with output that varies with the insolation (hourly and daily). In all cases the DC motor load is more compatible with the PV generator.