Analysis of active and reactive power control of a stand-alone PEM fuel cell power plant

This paper presents analytical details of how active and reactive power output of a stand-alone proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant (FCPP) is controlled. This analysis is based on an integrated dynamic model of the entire power plant including the reformer. The validity of the analysis is verified when the model is used to predict the response of the power plant to: 1) computer-simulated step changes in the load active and reactive power demand and 2) actual active and reactive load profile of a single family residence. The response curves indicate the load-following characteristics of the model and the predicted changes in the analytical parameters predicated by the analysis.