Title: Classification and comparison of interfacing schemes for connecting fuel cells to a single-phase utility line

Authors: Akshay Kumar Rathore, Ashoka K.S. Bhat, Ramesh Oruganti

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois, 851 S. Morgan St., SEO 1020, MC 154, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E4, Level 5, Room 45, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117576, Singapore

Abstract: Based on a systematic classification of dc source to utility interfacing schemes, this paper presents six major interfacing schemes for connecting fuel cells to a single-phase utility line using high-frequency transformer isolated power converters. The operation, advantages and disadvantages are discussed for each scheme with examples and operating waveforms. Several features e.g., utility line power factor, line current THD, size, ease of connection to utility line and simplicity of control, are compared. Based on their performance and fuel cell characteristics, a suitable scheme is selected. The selected scheme (#4) uses a dc/dc converter followed by a current controlled voltage source inverter. Details of the power conditioning unit (PCU) based on the selected scheme are given with some PSIM simulation results.

Keywords: power processing; power control; utility interfacing; high-frequency power conversion; fuel cells; classification; single-phase utility lines; power conditioning units; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPELEC.2011.042308

International Journal of Power Electronics, 2011 Vol.3 No.5, pp.469 - 495

Received: 23 Feb 2010
Accepted: 30 Jun 2010

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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