Operation and control of PEM fuel cell system

Abstract

Microgrid systems are the modern versions of the centralized electricity system and have become a possible way to integrate renewable resources on the community level. Smart Microgrids will generate, distribute, and monitor the flow of electricity at the local community level, unlike the conventional bulk power grid. Hence, the use of the fuel cell based power system for residential or industrial application is expected to be more prevalent in the near future due to improved power quality, reliability, portability and sustainability of the ecology system. However, integration of a variety of small-size distributed generators is changing the traditional structure of electric power distribution systems and affecting system dynamics, whose main source of power supply is the substation.

This report deals with the parameters used to design a control scheme that can control the active and reactive power generation of the fuel cell system. The associated meters and power converter would be integrated for the operation and control of the fuel cell system using the LabVIEW version 8.6 NI software development tool, together with MODBUS Communication Protocol on Ethernet network. The control scheme will eventually be coordinated by a centralized Automatic Generation Control which optimizes the fuel cell system along with other renewable and conventional energy resources in the Microgrid.