Impact of Variation of Temperature on PEM Fuel Cell-Based Power Converters

In renewable energy-based systems, converters and fuel cells play an essential role. One of the main sources of power for portable applications and standalone applications is fuel cells. Among various fuel cells types so far, PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) is an important fuel cell having characteristics like fast response, low operating temperature, high power/mass ratio, low noise, little emission or no emission and stable operation. Variation of temperature affects fuel cell systems performance. The paper aims at modelling PEMFC, different types of power converters and impact of temperature variation. Simulation of PEM fuel cell-based energy system with different power converters for the variation of operating temperature is performed using MATLAB Simulink and results are tabulated and discussed.