Impact of Tropical Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Performance

The urgent global demand to reduce carbon emissions has accelerated the transition to clean transportation technologies, including the adoption of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), known for their high efficiency and zero emissions when fueled with clean hydrogen, are among the leading energy conversion systems for such applications. However, their performance is susceptible to operating conditions, particularly temperature, pressure, and humidity. This study investigates the maximum achievable performance of PEMFCs under tropical climate conditions typical of Indonesia, where ambient temperatures range from 10° C to 40° C, with naturally high humidity and moderate atmospheric pressure. A one-dimensional, steady-state electrochemical model based entirely on physical parameters was developed and implemented in a block diagram simulation environment software. The model simulates membrane ohmic losses and calculates cell voltage under varying environmental parameters. Parametric studies revealed that the maximum power output increased from 31.20 W at 20° C to 32.03 W at 40° C (a 2.66% improvement) and reached 33.44 W at 5 atm pressure (a 5.69% increase over the baseline at 1 atm). Reducing relative humidity to 80% and 60% resulted in power drops of 7.09% and 25.09%, respectively, due to elevated ohmic and concentration losses under drier conditions. These findings suggest that even in humid tropical environments, maintaining adequate membrane hydration is crucial for sustaining PEMFC performance. The developed model successfully captures the essential behaviours of PEMFCs and serves as a valuable tool for evaluating system optimisation strategies in equatorial operating scenarios.