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 degra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2011-08, Vol.36 (17), p.10908-10916
Main Authors: Sergi, F., Brunaccini, G., Stassi, A., Di Blasi, A., Dispenza, G., Aricò, A.S., Ferraro, M., Antonucci, V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative fuels. Production and utilization
Applied sciences
Current ripple
Degradation
Distributed generation
Disturbances
Electrolytes
Electrolytic cells
Endurance
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fuel cell system
Fuel cells
Fuels
Grid connected
Hydrogen
Proton Exchange membrane fuel cell
Ripples
Utilities
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Summary: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 cm 2 subjected to a dynamic load. Post mortem physico-chemical analyses showed materials degradation on the cathode catalyst associated to the current ripple. ► Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. ► Fuel cell system. ► Current ripple. ► Grid connected. ► Distributed generation.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.05.161