Modeling and control of fuel cell-battery hybrid power systems for portable electronics

Hybrid power sources can combine the high power density of batteries with the high energy density of fuel cells, in order to improve runtime of portable electronic devices. In this work a non-linear coupled electro-chemical model for predicting the steady-state and dynamic performances of a micro fuel cell is presented. This model is implemented in Matlab/Simulink^reg in order to simulate a hybrid system (Li-ion cell+direct methanol fuel cell) under variable load and supply conditions.