Fuel Cell/Electric Double Layer Capacitor Hybrid Power Source Using a Multi-port Bidirectional DC-DC Converter

Abstract

A fuel cell/electric double layer capacitor hybrid power source using a multi-port bidirectional DC-DC converter has been developed to reduce load variations for the purpose of extending fuel cell life. The proposed converter operates to maintain the fuel cell current, load voltage and bus voltage at constant values with a digital signal processor. The effect of the proposed converter is evaluated. The charging or discharging current of the EDLC rapidly changes along with step loading, and the voltage and current of the fuel cell are maintained at the constant values. Short-time transient responses show that the fuel cell current ripples 0.35 A at 1 A load change in 6 ms.