Performance evaluation of boost and Z-source converters for fuel cell application

Z-sourcebeing an attractive option for buck-boost energy conversion in renewable system, this paper investigates the performances of the traditional boost converter and Z-source inverterfed by fuel cell as the dc source. The changes in the fuel cell utilization, stack consumption and efficiency of a 65kW fuel cell is studied by maintaining a constant fuel flow rate. The output voltage and current of the stack, dc output voltage, inverter output voltages and currents are evaluated for balanced and unbalanced load conditions. Simulations are carried out using Matlab/Simulinkand the results are presented.