A Scalable Segmented-Based PEM Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System Model and Its Simulation Applications

Abstract

A scalable segmented-based proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) hybrid power system model is developed in this paper. The fuel cell (FC) is developed as a dynamic lumped parameter model to predict the current distributions during dynamic load scenarios. The fuel cell is segmented into 3×3 segments connected with several physical ports and with the variables balanced automatically. Based on the proposed model, a real-time energy management framework is designed to distribute the load current demand during dynamic operations. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy has good performance on both single/segmented fuel cell–battery hybrid systems and the low battery state of charge (SOC) situation. This paper proposes an approach that uses an interconnected ordinary differential equations (ODEs) system model in control problems, which makes the control algorithms readily applicable.