Software simulation of PEM fuel cell system for dynamic performance analysis

Fuel cell power generation technology is gaining importance on its own way as it has many advantages like less environmental pollution, high efficiency, cleanliness and safe operation with the present global scenario of electricity generation, distribution and meeting the consumer demand. Several research works have been done in this area of power generation. In this paper, a dynamic model of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) has been developed and the dynamic behavior are studied. PEMFC has been chosen due its low operating temperature and little start-up time that are suitable for stationary applications like residential and transportation uses. This model is used to simulate dynamic behavior of FC system that can be further used for distributed energy resources (DER) integration study and their simulation. The model uses a proportional-integral controller to control the fuel flow to the reformer of the fuel cell system. The dynamic behavior of the fuel cell system with a step load change is studied and the outputs are found to be promising. Therefore, this model can be used for other dynamic behavior study and DER integration study.