A Novel Input Ripple Current Suppressing Topology Configuration and Controller for Residential Fuel Cell Power Conditioning System

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)’s power conditioning system (PCS) for residential application always contains two stage converter configuration of the dc-dc converter and the power grid connection dc-ac inverter. As known well, the inverter tends to draw an ac ripple current at twice the output frequency. For fuel cell system, the ripple current has worse effect than the other system, since it reduces the fuel cell system’s output capacity and wastes the fuel. Worst of all, it shortens the fuel cell’s life span. In this paper, first, the power grid connection PEMFC PCS’s ripple current source and propagation are analyzed. Then, a ripple suppressing PCS topology configuration and controller are proposed to achieve the low input ripple current control.

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