Optimal instantaneous power dispatch in hybridised modular fuel cell systems

This article tackles the control of a multi-module fuel cell system. It compares two power management strategies: equi-distribution, in which the power is homogeneously split between the fuel cell modules and optimal distribution, in which the power dispatch can be heterogeneous, meaning all degrees of freedom of the multi modular system are explored. The aim of this work is to quantify what can be achieved with these additional degrees of freedom. The results show that when the system modules are identical, optimal distribution outperforms equi-distribution in a very narrow power range that are never observed in automotive application, where a battery is included in the system. However, when the fuel cell modules have different performances, the optimal distribution strategy saves around 1% in hydrogen consumption compared with the equi-distribution strategy.