FUEL CELL BASED MICROGRID FOR SMALL POWER APPLICATION: A VIRTUAL PROTOTYPE

This paper talks about a system called a "fuel cell-based microgrid," which can provide electricity to remote areas, either when they are disconnected from the main power grid (islanded mode) or when the main grid is working. The microgrid uses different renewable energy sources, like solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel cells, to generate electricity. The fuel cell-based approach allows smart management of electricity production, making it easier to provide power to remote areas. The case study in the paper looks at how this microgrid works in remote areas. A fuel cell can use hydrogen or air as fuel to produce electricity, and this can also be stored in batteries for later use. The main goal of this study is to find out the best size for each type of renewable energy system (solar, wind, fuel cell) in the microgrid, focusing on minimizing costs while ensuring enough power is available for the remote area. In simple terms, it's about designing an efficient and cost-effective system to provide renewable power to remote areas, with the help of technologies like solar, wind, and hydrogen-based fuel cells.