Methodology for improvement of hydrogen cell produced electrical energy

BUITRAGO, R. H.; SANCHEZ REINOSO, C.R.

Congreso; 6th Symposium on Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Advanced Batteries; 2017

Fuel cells are a great alternative for a more efficient useof oil derived compounds, allowing the usage of these energysources for a longer period of time and providing a transitionto technologies that will replace those based on hydrocarbons[1‐3]. On the other hand, fuel cell technologymay help boost the use of generation systems based on renewableenergy sources (such as solar, biomass, wind, etc.);thanks to the flexibility of the fuel used by the cells it is possibleto integrate them into a system that utilizes either fuelproduced directly from renewable sources (biomass) or fueleasily generated from solar and wind technologies (such ashydrogen). This means that a direct transition toward theuse of clean technologies and renewable energy sources ispossible.Fuel cells have the following advantages over conventionalgeneration systems [4‐7]: low enviromental pollution,highly efficient power generation, diversity of fuels, reuse ofextracted heat, quick, modular installation.On the other hand, for fuel cells to be useful, power interfacesare required to supply alternate current to certaincharges or to allow its connection to the conventional electricalgrid. The inverter is a key element in the power interface,converting direct current delivered by the fuel batteryinto alternate current suitable for the charges or the grid.To ensure that the system works properly, the output energyof the system is required to meet certain quality standardsin order to achieve a low harmonic content. This worksproposes an approach that seeks to minimize the harmoniccontent in the output of an electric energy generation systembased on fuel cell technology. The following sectionsummarizes the methodology used and later sections summarizethe results and conclusions.