Implementation of a load control method for the improvement of the efficiency of a fuel cell, based on the hardware-in-the-loop technique

The development of low resistance membranes, highly diffusive electrodes, and reduced use of noble metal catalysts are the recent breakthroughs that brought the fuel cell to the fore-front. However, some parameters like hydrogen and oxygen flow, temperature, water flow and load must be controlled, in order to obtain the maximum efficiency out of a fuel cell. This paper is focused on variable load control using the hardware in the loop (HIL) technique. A three-stage SMPS converter is proposed and analyzed. An experimental setup was made using a model vehicle powered by a fuel cell. In order to simulate a real-life hilly track of an electric fuel cell powered vehicle, an HPS Motor Board and dSpace HIL were used.