Analysis of External Short-Circuit Fault Characteristics and Safety Impact in PEMFC System Integrated With Renewable Energy

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Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) integrated with renewable energy sources face risks from external electrical short-circuit (ESC) faults. ESC faults not only threaten the power system side but also adversely impact internal physical parameters, such as temperature and gas diffusion. The resulting abnormal dynamics of internal physical quantities (e.g., thermal and gas conditions) within the PEMFC stack can affect safe and reliable system operation. However, little research focuses on the characteristics of external electrical faults and their multi-physics impact on the internal response of PEMFC systems. Therefore, this paper first analyzes the external electrical characteristics and internal multi-physics response of PEMFCs after an ESC fault, using an equivalent circuit model of the PEMFC system integrated with renewables. On this basis, this paper proposes a method to evaluate the safe operation boundary of the studied system post-ESC fault, considering PEMFC internal temperature and gas safety limits. Finally, the analysis is verified on simulation and experimental platforms, and key operating factors are investigated. Experimental and simulation results show excellent agreement, with an error of less than 1%, demonstrating the method’s effectiveness for safety analysis. The results indicate that clearing faults within minutes can prevent membrane thermal damage. This research provides valuable theoretical insights for developing safe operation strategies for the PEMFC system in renewable energy integration.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (52241702)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (52207088)

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