PEM fuel cells analysis for grid connected applications

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) fed by hydrogen were investigated with the aim of highlighting their behaviour during grid connected (GC) operation. Starting from the analysis of the systems working under practical conditions on the utility grid, the study was addressed to the materials degradation during GC applications. Endurance tests on 5 kW pre-commercial PEFC fuel cell systems were carried out at direct current constant load and in GC configuration. An evidence of disturbance on the FC system power output was observed. The study was focused on Low Frequency (LF) 100 Hz noise (current ripple) that can mainly affect the fuel cell performance and lifetime. In order to evaluate the issues that occurred on the active components of a PEMFC, when subjected to a current ripple, electrochemical characterizations were performed on single cells of 5 cm2 subjected to a dynamic load. Post mortem physico-chemical analyses showed materials degradation on the cathode catalyst associated to the current ripple.