Current-fed Step-up DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Applications with Active Overvoltage Clamping

Abstract

Abstract. In order to use hydrogen fuel cells in domestic applications either as main power supply or backup source, their low DC output voltage has to be matched to the level and frequency of the utility grid AC voltage. Such power converter systems usually consist of a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter. A double inductor step-up push-pull converter is investigated in this paper, presenting simulation and experimental results for passive and active overvoltage clamping. The prototype of the investigated converter is elaborated for 1200 W power to match the rated power of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell located in hydrogen fuel cell research laboratory.

Topology and Control of Fuel Cell Generation Converters

“…A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical process using hydrogen as fuel, which has the advantages of cleanliness, efficiency and low noise, and is one of the main ways of utilizing hydrogen energy [6]. However, the fuel cell's volt-ampere characteristics are nonlinear and the output voltage is low and fluctuating, which leads to the fact that the fuel cell cannot be directly connected to the load and requires a power electronic converter with matching characteristics for regulation [7].…”