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In order to investigate the output characteristic of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based on the electrical empirical, a novel dynamic model of PEMFC has been developed with Matlab/Simulink, which is distinct from the models have previously been published. By using a fuel cell test system in Fuel Cell Application Centre in Temasek Polytechnic, the transient electrical response of PEMFC was conducted and analyzed under various operating conditions. A good match is found between simulation results and experimental data. The comprehensive results of simulation manifested that the model is effective and operational. This model will be very useful to optimize the structure design, improve the operation performance, and develop the real-time control system of PEMFC.Keywords--proton exchange membrane fuel cell, dynamic model, transient electrical response, dynamic simulation.

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The use of fuel cell technology as a backup power source for the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) requires quick response to sudden load change. However, slow dynamic behavior of a PEM fuel cell, compared to the typical power conditioner and load, limits the fuel cell rapid transient response to load change. To increase the fuel cell response to load change, the energy storage such as battery, micro turbine, photovoltaic and super-capacitors are conventionally installed in the system thus increasing in its size and cost. In this work, the PEM fuel cell transient behaviors in the cool-start, hot-start and load change were investigated by using in-house running control software and high precise oscilloscope. The effects of fuel cell structure (area of flow field, cell number and materials used in MEA) and operation conditions (pressure, temperature etc.) were also studied. The electrical response results from experimental curves indicate that the transient behavior of fuel cell stack is highly impacted by the fuel cell structure, operating conditions and the strategy of gas input into the fuel cell. The better understanding of the electrical response of PEM fuel cell would be helpful to the design of a fuel cell and its system with high efficiency and compact structure.