Optimal Energy Dispatch Controller for Fuel Cell-Integrated Multi-Zone Building

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashen Lin ◽  
Venkatesh Chinde ◽  
Sen Huang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Potential Saving ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Optimal Energy ◽  
Equipment Sizing

Abstract Stationary fuel cells provide potential opportunities for energy savings when integrated with buildings. Through smart dispatch of both electrical power and heat generated by the fuel cells and managing the building loads, the buildings can achieve more efficient operation. In this paper, we develop an optimal energy dispatch controller to operate a fuel cell-integrated building. The controller leverages the inherent thermal storage and the dispatchable fuel cell to reduce its operating cost and to allow the building to participate in grid services. The proposed controller is implemented on two types of commercial buildings, a large office building and a large hotel, and the effectiveness of the controller is demonstrated through simulations. The results also indicate that the potential saving varies significantly with different system parameters, including season, fuel prices, and equipment sizing, which provide helpful insights for building operators and other stake holders.

Computer Models of Pem Fuel Cells for the Study of Transient Modes in Electrical Power Supply Complexes

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-67
Author(s):  
Ivan Vasyukov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Gradient Descent ◽  
Eddy Currents ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Computer Models ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Current Voltage

Static and dynamic computer models of fuel cells are considered. A static model is determined that most ac-curately reproduces the current-voltage characteristic of a real fuel cell. A method for tuning it according to the experimental I - V characteristic by the least squares method is proposed. A method for its adjustment ac-cording to the experimental I - V characteristic by the method of gradient descent is proposed. A modified elec-trical equivalent circuit of a fuel cell has been developed, which simulates its dynamic response, taking into ac-count the damping effect of eddy currents during operation of a stack of fuel cells on a pulse voltage converter. A method is proposed for determining the parameters of the model from the experimental oscillograms of the current and voltage of the stack. A universal model of a stack of fuel cells in LTspice has been developed, which makes it possible to simulate a dynamic response and, if necessary, simulate a real static I – V characteristic of the stack.

Fuel-Cell Hybrid Systems to Generate Shipboard Electrical Power

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Sembler ◽  
S. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Hybrid Systems ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Cell Hybrid ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
History Of ◽  
Marine Applications ◽  
Fuel Cell Hybrid

The reduction of shipboard airborne emissions has been receiving increased attention due to the desire to improve air quality and reduce the generation of greenhouse gases. The use of a fuel cell could represent an environmentally friendly way for a ship to generate in-port electrical power that would eliminate the need to operate diesel-driven generators or use shore power. This paper includes a brief description of the various types of fuel cells in use today, together with a review of the history of fuel cells in marine applications. In addition, the results of a feasibility study conducted to evaluate the use of a fuel-cell hybrid system to produce shipboard electrical power are presented.

Optimal energy management of a fuel cell-battery-supercapacitor-powered hybrid tramway using a multi-objective approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Zhang ◽  
Jibin Yang ◽  
Jiye Zhang ◽  
Pengyun Song ◽  
Ming Li
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Energy Management Strategy ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Optimal Energy ◽  
Optimal Energy Management ◽  
Fuel Costs

Achieving an optimal operating cost is a challenge for the development of hybrid tramways. In the past few years, in addition to fuel costs, the lifespan of the power source is being increasingly considered as an important factor that influences the operating cost of a tramway. In this work, an optimal energy management strategy based on a multi-mode strategy and optimisation algorithm is described for a high-power fuel cell hybrid tramway. The objective of optimisation is to decrease the operating costs under the conditions of guaranteeing tramway performance. Besides the fuel costs, the replacement cost and initial investment of all power units are also considered in the cost model, which is expressed in economic terms. Using two optimisation algorithms, a multi-population genetic algorithm and an artificial fish swarm algorithm, the hybrid system's power targets for the energy management strategy were acquired using the multi-objective optimisation. The selected case study includes a low-floor light rail vehicle, and experimental validations were performed using a hardware-in-the-loop workbench. The results testify that an optimised energy management strategy can fulfil the operational requirements, reduce the daily operation costs and improve the efficiency of the fuel cell system for a hybrid tramway.

Structural Analysis of Sintered Materials Used for Low-Temperature Fuel Cell Plates

2010 ◽  
Vol 638-642 ◽  
pp. 536-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Dudek ◽  
Renata Włodarczyk ◽  
Zygmunt Nitkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Powder Sintering ◽  
Gas Fuel ◽  
Materials Used

Bipolar plates (BPs) are key components of fuel cells. Functions of materials used for fuel cells include equal distribution of gas fuel and air, conduction of electricity between adjacent cells, heat transfer from the cell as well as prevention of gas leakage and cooldown. Moreover, the material must show particular corrosion resistance in cell’s working conditions. Meeting particular requirements or prevention of the abovementioned situations will enable efficient operation of cells. Due to multifunctional nature of fuel cell plates, choice of materials used for plates is immensely difficult. This paper presents opportunities of application of a new technology of powder sintering for creation of parts for electricity and heat generators. This work also presents analysis of structural and phase-related properties, porosity and strength tests.

Parametric Study of the Combined Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine Power Plant

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. Bhinder ◽  
Munzer S. Y. Ebaid ◽  
Moh’d Yazid F. Mustafa ◽  
Raj K. Calay ◽  
Mohammed H. Kailani
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Electrical Power Generation ◽  
Parametric Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

Large scale electrical power generation faces two serious problems: (i) energy conservation; and (ii) protection of the environment. High temperatures fuel cells have the potential to deal with both problems. The heat rejected by the fuel cell that would otherwise be wasted may be recovered to power a gas turbine in order to improve the energy conversion efficiency as well as power output of the combined fuel cell-gas turbine power plant. The added advantage of this approach would be to reduce thermal loading and the emission of greenhouse gases per MW electrical power generated. Serious research is being carried out worldwide to commercialise the fuel cell nevertheless there is still ample scope for studying the application of high temperature fuel cells in combination with the gas turbine for large scale electrical power generation. This paper presents the results of a parametric study of the fuel cell-gas turbine power plant to generate electricity. The paper should be of considerable interest to the designers and applications engineers working in power generation industry and other public utilities. The authors hope that the paper would lead to a stimulating discussion.

Fuel Cells as an Alternative to Cold Ironing

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Sembler ◽  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
David Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Airborne Pollutants ◽  
Shipboard Power ◽  
Heat Efficiency ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Harmful Effects

As a result of increased concern regarding the harmful effects of airborne pollutants, some seaports are taking steps to require that visiting ships reduce the emissions from onboard power-producing equipment, such as diesel-engine-driven generators. One approach to satisfy this demand is the practice of “cold ironing” during which a ship that is docked shuts down all of its generators and uses electrical power supplied by the port. Cold ironing has already been implemented for some ships in the Ports of Los Angeles in California, Seattle in Washington, Juneau in Alaska, and Göteborg in Sweden. Although cold ironing does eliminate airborne emissions from shipboard power-producing equipment, several disadvantages are associated with it. The use of a fuel cell to produce the electrical power required on a ship while in port represents a potential alternative to cold ironing. A fuel cell that is supplied with hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity, water, and heat. The production of airborne pollutants is, therefore, eliminated. However, along with the advantages associated with fuel cells come several significant challenges. This paper includes the results of a feasibility study conducted to evaluate the use of fuel cells as a source of in-port electrical power on ships. Factors considered in the study included fuel-cell type, utilization of waste heat, efficiency, and emissions. The effect of using several different fuels was also evaluated. The analysis results demonstrate that a fuel-cell installed as part of a hybrid cycle could be a viable alternative to cold ironing.

Hydrogenous Fuel as an Energy Material for Efficient Operation of Tandem System Based on Fuel Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 723 ◽  
pp. 616-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Zubkova ◽  
Alexander Stroganov ◽  
Alexander Chusov ◽  
Dmitry Molodtsov
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Material Balance ◽  
Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Energy Material ◽  
Effective Efficiency

This paper presents the results of relatively cheap hydrogenous fuel usage as an energy material for energy supply stand-alone environmentally friendly systems creation. Usage of fuel cells running on hydrogenous fuel is a promising direction in creation of stand-alone power supply systems in low-rise residential development. Presented thermodynamic calculations and material balance data for electric and thermal components assessment in considered ways to use convention products, performance enhancement in tandem system based on fuel cells with full heat regeneration. The total effective efficiency of the tandem installation including the fuel converter, separating system, high-temperature fuel cell, low-temperature fuel cell is higher than for each of the fuel cell elements separately. Distribution of H2 for LTFC and HTFC is determined in compliance with the conditions of the positive heat balance to compensate the heat used for the endoenergic reaction in the converter, input stream heating and heat losses. The total effective efficiency under making full use of recovered heat for considered tandem system depends on the efficiency of its constituent fuel cells. Energetically effective distribution of H2 on streams of high-temperature and low-temperature oxidation according to a position of observance of positive thermal balance on an external contour of tandem system, is reached by operation of HTFC electric efficiency in the range of 50 ÷ 55%.

scholarly journals A Review of Control-Oriented Bioelectrochemical Mathematical Models of Microbial Fuel Cells

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipankar Deb ◽  
Ravi Patel ◽  
Valentina E. Balas
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Charge Balance ◽  
Nonlinear Controllers ◽  
Interdisciplinary Knowledge

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a potentially viable renewable energy option which promises effective and commercial harvesting of electrical power by bacterial movement and at the same time also treats wastewater. Microbial fuel cells are complicated devices and therefore research in this field needs interdisciplinary knowledge and involves diverse areas such as biological, chemical, electrical, etc. In recent decades, rapid strides have taken place in fuel cell research and this technology has become more efficient. For effective usage, such devices need advanced control techniques for maintaining a balance between substrate supply, mass, charge, and external load. Most of the research work in this area focuses on experimental work and have been described from the design perspective. Recently, the development in mathematical modeling of such cells has taken place which has provided a few mathematical models. Mathematical modeling provides a better understanding of the operations and the dynamics of MFCs, which will help to develop control and optimization strategies. Control-oriented bio-electrochemical models with mass and charge balance of MFCs facilitate the development of advanced nonlinear controllers. This work reviews the different mathematical models of such cells available in the literature and then presents suitable parametrization to develop control-oriented bio-electrochemical models of three different types of cells with their uncertain parameters.

An Empirical Stationary Fuel Cell Model Using Limited Experimental Data for Identification

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Meiler ◽  
E. P. Hofer ◽  
A. Nuhic ◽  
O. Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Nonlinear Systems ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Wide Range

New technologies for efficient operation of fuel cells require modern techniques in system modeling. Such fuel cell models do not require giving any information about physical mechanisms or internal states of the system. They must be rather precise and should consume less computing time. From the point of view of system theory, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are multiple input and single output (MISO) systems. The inputs of a fuel cell are the drawn current, the gas pressures at anode and cathode side, and the humidity of these gases which influence the system output, namely the cell voltage, in a nonlinear way. The state of the art in the industry is to describe such nonlinear systems by the usage of lookup tables with a large amount of data. An alternative way to model the input-output behavior of nonlinear systems is the usage of so called black-box and gray-box model approaches. In the last decade, artificial neuronal networks (ANN) became more popular in black-box modeling of nonlinear systems with multiple inputs. Further, if some of the internal processes of a nonlinear system can be mathematically described, a gray-box model is more preferred. In the first part of this paper, the suitability of ANN's in the form of a multilayer perceptron (MLP) network with different numbers of hidden neurons is investigated. A way to confirm the validity for the identified network was worked out. In the second part of this contribution, a gray-box model, valid for a large operating area, based on published semi-empirical models is introduced. Six experimental campaigns for parameter identification and model validation were carried out. The five inputs previously described were varied in a wide range to cover a large operating range. In the last part of this paper, both modeling approaches are investigated with respect to their ability to identify model parameters using a limited number of experimental data.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document