Load Transient Mitigation for Stand-Alone Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems

In this paper, a load transient mitigation technique for stand-alone fuel cell (FC)-battery power generation systems is proposed. The technique can be used not only to improve the output power quality of the overall system, but also to mitigate or eliminate the electrical feedback stresses that are caused by load transients upon fuel cells. As a result, the durability of the fuel cell can also be improved. System analysis and controller design procedure for the proposed technique are given in this paper. Simulation studies have been carried out on FC-battery power generation systems using the dynamic models developed for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed technique in preventing load transients from affecting the fuel cell performance.