The PEM Fuel Cell System with DC/DC Boost Converter: Design, Modeling and Simulation

The fuel cells are considered as one of the most promising devices for standalone/grid connected distributed generations (DGs) due to its cleanliness, modularity and higher potential capability. The barriers in the widespread use of fuel cells are their slow response for sudden load changes and higher installation cost. In this paper a simulation study of dynamic behavior of Nexa TM 1.2kW PEM fuel cell with DC/DC boost converter is carried out for compact design of PCU. The necessity for the requirement of boost converter compared with cascaded two stack fuel cell model is also addressed. Moreover the performance of the simple DC/DC boost converter as power modulator for Nexa TM 1.2kW PEM fuel cell model is analyzed for varying loads in order to control power flow for enhanced performance.

[1]  Tore Undeland,et al.  Power Electronics: Converters, Applications and Design , 1989 .

[2]  S. Jain,et al.  Single Stage Power Electronic Interface for a Fuel Cell Based Power Supply System , 2007, 2007 IEEE Canada Electrical Power Conference.

[3]  R. Ramakumar,et al.  Distributed generation and renewable energy systems , 2002, IECEC '02. 2002 37th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2002..

[4]  G.L. Arsov,et al.  Improved parametric PSpice model of a PEM fuel cell , 2008, 2008 11th International Conference on Optimization of Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

[5]  Jih-Sheng Lai,et al.  Design considerations for a 48 V fuel cell to split single phase inverter system with ultracapacitor energy storage , 2002, 2002 IEEE 33rd Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference. Proceedings (Cat. No.02CH37289).

[6]  M.G. Simoes,et al.  Sensitivity analysis of the modeling parameters used in Simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[7]  J.B. Jia,et al.  The Electrical Dynamic Response Study of PEMFC as a Backup Power Supply , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Conference on Control and Automation.

[8]  Luciane Neves Canha,et al.  An electrochemical-based fuel-cell model suitable for electrical engineering automation approach , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[9]  Leon M. Tolbert,et al.  Fuel cell power conditioning for electric power applications: a summary , 2007 .

[10]  A. Keyhani,et al.  Fuel cell based distributed generation system , 2008, 2008 12th International Middle-East Power System Conference.

[11]  Frederik De Belie,et al.  Digitally Controlled Boost PFC Converter with Improved Output Voltage Controller , 2007 .

[12]  S.R. Shaw,et al.  Fuel cells: promising devices for distributed generation , 2006, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[13]  S.M.T. Bathaee,et al.  A new dynamic model considering effects of temperature, pressure and internal resistance for PEM fuel cell power modules , 2008, 2008 Third International Conference on Electric Utility Deregulation and Restructuring and Power Technologies.

[14]  Douglas J. Nelson,et al.  Fuel cell systems: efficient, flexible energy conversion for the 21st century , 2001, Proc. IEEE.

[15]  M. Farooque,et al.  Fuel cells-the clean and efficient power generators , 2001, Proc. IEEE.

[16]  D. Sutanto,et al.  Exploring the power conditioning system for fuel cell , 2001, 2001 IEEE 32nd Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (IEEE Cat. No.01CH37230).

[17]  B. M. Hasaneen,et al.  Design and simulation of DC/DC boost converter , 2008, 2008 12th International Middle-East Power System Conference.