Dynamic model and simulation of a PEM fuel cell for residential applications

Abstract

The CO2 levels present in the atmosphere are growing everyday, affecting consequently the global warming. One of the main reasons for this fact is due to the combustion of fossil fuels used in the electrical energy production in the stationary sector. Public awareness aims improved energy efficiency of the electricity generation systems, as well as new systems allowing the energy conservation and the decrease or even no emission of pollutant to the atmosphere.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells appear as devices capable of producing electricity with no pollutant emissions but only water.

This document presents a preliminary modeling of a PEM fuel cell stack based on the experimental curves obtained at a laboratory test. Not only the static model but the dynamic response of the stack will be estimated through different mathematical approximations. The purpose of the model is to design a tool suitable for predicting the fuel cell behaviour.