Development and Research of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plant Prototype

This paper presents the design and research results of prototype of a power plant based on two 1 kW hydrogen polymer proton exchange membrane fuel cells with different volt–ampere characteristics and hydrogen consumption. The power plant optimal configuration was selected, based on the analysis of existing technologies and two energy management systems for efficient power distribution between fuel cells (equal distribution and daisy-chain) were proposed. A Simulink model of the power plant was developed, and the system operating modes were simulated. Simulation results confirmed the prospects of the adopted solutions. Experimental studies of the energy management systems were conducted. Results showed that the daisy-chain is the most effective for saving hydrogen.