An Energy Management Strategy for All Electric Aircraft Based on Multi-stack Fuel Cells

Multi-stack fuel cell systems (MFCS) have the potential to deliver superior output performance and increased reliability compared to single-stack fuel cell systems (SFCS). These characteristics make MFCS particularly well-suited for aviation applications that demand high power output. Moreover, energy management strategies are crucial for realizing the power distribution between fuel cells and batteries and ensuring the dependability of electric propulsion systems. In this article, we introduce a novel approach based the equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) that takes into account the system cost. This strategy is solved through a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. By implementing this strategy, the efficiency of MFCS can be improved, the overall cost of the system can be reduced, power fluctuation of the fuel cell system can be minimized, and the stack with poor performance can be protected, ultimately increasing the system's lifespan. These improvements make ECMS an ideal solution for the aviation industry, helping to advance the application of MFCS.