Experimental Basis and Simulation Methodology for Fuel Cell Fed Converters Connected to Distribution Networks to Improve the Load Curve

This paper proposes a high power option for power injection into the distribution network from alternative sources of energy. A conventional LVDC converter is adapted from consolidated technologies of low frequency, for the special case of the low voltage generation from fuel cells (FC). The adaptation of these LVDC power converters is used for injection of energy produced from FC´s and other alternative sources of energy into the electric network. This paper reunites and discusses some new technologies, namely supplementary control signals, auxiliary power converters, electronic control by the load and series reactors with the purpose of harmonic minimization and correction of the power and utilization factors. These techniques do not use the high frequencies from switched sources at high power levels but, even so, they do dispense additional power equipments. For tests of the complete system of alternative energies for power injection into the electric network, a FC simulator was used with identical characteristics of a real FC