A standalone proton exchange membrane fuel cell generation system with different tracking techniques

Abstract

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) may be operated at the maximum power point (MPP) or maximum efficiency point (MEP). In this thesis, a complete user-friendly Simulink model of the PEMFC is developed to implement the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique and maximum efficiency point tracking (MEPT) technique. A new tracking technique referred to as the midpoint tracking (MDT) technique, is proposed to overcome the limitations of the MPPT and MEPT techniques. A detailed analysis of the tracking techniques based on simulation results using the Ballard MK5-E PEMFC as reference is presented. Simulation results indicate that the midpoint tracking technique provides a trade-off operation with acceptable efficiency derating of 15%, high output power, and small size of the fuel cell when compared with the maximum efficiency point tracking technique. In order to analyse the effects of the tracking techniques on the PEMFC system economics, a detailed economic analysis for ten different cases of standalone PEMFC system is carried out. From the point of view of the economics of a standalone fuel cell generation system, it is found that the MPPT technique is suitable for low power applications (<50kW) and MDT technique is suitable for medium to high power applications. Finally, based on the particular requirements of stationary PEMFC application, suitable tracking techniques are suggested.