Development of high-performance fuel cell generation system for micro-grid applications

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Power processing units consisting of power converters and their associated control systems are widely used to transform, control, and deliver electricity from alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, and fuel cell to a load or the utility grid. Designers of power processing units face the challenge of ensuring high reliability, low losses and high efficiency, high power quality, low cost, reduced size, and fast dynamic operation. The goal of our research program is to develop power processing units that address these technical challenges and offer improved performance of alternative energy conversion systems which employ fuel cells, wind, and hydro as sources of energy. Specifically, the proposed research is aimed at developing alternative power converter topologies and configurations, as well as alternative control strategies for fuel cell generation systems that will be employed in hybrid small hydro-wind-fuel cell generation systems. In the short term, it is proposed to investigate, develop and implement approaches that result in high efficiency, maximum power extraction, fast dynamic response, and high reliability in the power processing units, as well as develop laboratory platforms to investigate the performance and demonstrate the feasibility of the same. The proposed research is timely: technically, it provides the opportunity to develop innovative techniques that will result in high-performance fuel cell generation systems and make significant contributions to the development and deployment of smart, clean and efficient green energy systems; strategically, it aligns with the government's Science & Technology (S&T) strategy which focuses on creating an entrepreneurial advantage, knowledge advantage, and people advantage in four strategic areas which include natural resources and energy. This proposal supports the training of highly qualified personnel and the development of the next generation of energy innovators and leaders. Environmentally, the proposed work can be a significant driver of energy efficiency and ultimately help Canada to meet its greenhouse emission targets; and economically, the increased efficiency and reliability of the fuel cell generation system would lead to reduction in costs to manufacturers and end users.