ABSTRACT
Fuel cell-based power systems present a wide range of challenging problems for control and system integration. Considerable research and development efforts have been devoted to fuel cell operation and systems, in particular, in the area of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for mobile and stationary applications. Control plays a critical role in the fuel cell operation and systems. The objective of a control system is to modify the natural response of a fuel cell electrochemical reactor and maintain the desired operation in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. Moreover, the control system attempts to diagnose abnormal operation, monitors the health of the stack, and adapts the operation to address material and electrode degradation. A wide range of operating conditions that the fuel cell system needs to operate also makes the controls challenging.
