Comparison of energy management controls for fuel cell applications

Nowadays, fuel cell (FC) is seen like one of the main energy generators for the future. Indeed, it could be used for many different applications thanks to its goods performances. Nevertheless, the present high cost of a FC requires an optimal power flow of the power provided by the FC to make its development easier. So, the FC must fit each application fulfilling the imposed requirements in an optimal way.As a consequence, the energy management made by the power interface of the FC based generator appears as a vital element: it regulates the power flow between the FC and the auxiliary energy storage. Consequently, it has a major influence on the size of this storage element.This paper focuses on this control level. It presents three algorithms for the energy management developed by the authors. Each of the algorithms optimizes one criterion for the generator. The controls allow a good rate performances/simplicity. Furthermore, they give a good overview of the existing algorithms.The paper tests and compares the three controls with three applications, which are the best adapted ones concerning the use of FC. The data of the applications are obtained from real installations. The comparison is done thanks to simulation.This work has been realized in the framework of the European project FEBUSS.