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access icon free Standalone fuel cell generation system with different tracking techniques: economic analysis

© The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Received 09/12/2016, Accepted 15/05/2017, Revised 27/03/2017, Published 19/05/2017

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can be operated at different points such as the maximum power point (MPP) to extract maximum power and the maximum efficiency point (MEP) to operate at maximum efficiency. However, the different tracking techniques influence the cost of electricity (COE) of the fuel cell generation system. In this paper, the economic analysis of the PEMFC with the MPP tracking (MPPT) and MEP tracking (MEPT) techniques using the HOMER energy system analysis software is presented. A detailed comparison of the economic impact of the tracking techniques for ten load configurations of a standalone fuel cell generation system, which includes combined heat and power (CHP) loads is presented and discussed. Finally, based on economic considerations, a procedure to select a suitable tracking technique for particular requirements of the standalone PEMFC application is proposed. It is found that in the case of CHP configuration, the MPPT technique is the preferred technique to achieve low COE.

Inspec keywords: proton exchange membrane fuel cells; fuel cell power plants; cogeneration; maximum power point trackers; power generation economics

Other keywords: COE; CHP loads; maximum efficiency point; HOMER energy system analysis; MPPT; PEMFC; economic analysis; cost of electricity; maximum power point tracking; tracking techniques; combined heat and power; standalone fuel cell generation system; load configurations; proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Subjects: Power system management, operation and economics; Thermal power stations and plants; Fuel cells; DC-DC power convertors; Fuel cell power plants

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