Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of Fuel Cell Dynamic Response 2004-01-3213

The dynamic behavior of a fuel cell is integral to the overall stability and performance of the power system formed by the fuel supply, fuel cell stack, power conditioner and electrical load. But present-day fuel cells have transient (dynamic) responses that are much slower than the responses of the typical power conditioner and load. Therefore, there is significant motivation to identify which fuel cell parameters have greater impact on the cell's transient response so as to facilitate improved designs of such cells. This paper describes the results obtained from a sensitivity analysis performed on an input-output transfer function that is derived from a linear small-signal model of PEM fuel cell dynamics. These provide greater insight into the issue of which physical parameters have the greater impacts on fuel cell dynamic response.