Systems and methods for adaptive energy management in a fuel cell system
First Claim
1. An energy storage module interface connectable between a fuel cell power module and an electric energy storage module for regulation of operation of the fuel cell power module, wherein the energy storage module is connectable, in use, to a load, and wherein the energy storage module comprises:
- a measurement device for measuring a process parameter indicative of the power drawn by the load, and a calculation and storage device for calculating and storing a time average value indicative of the power drawn over a first pre-set time period;
wherein the stored time average value is used as an actual current draw request set-point signal by the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a second time period following the first time period.
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell system has a fuel cell power module and an electric energy storage module. The system further has an adaptive energy management controller connected to the fuel cell power module and the electric energy storage module for regulation of operation of the fuel cell power module. The adaptive energy management controller has a measurement device for measuring a process parameter indicative of the power or current drawn by the load or the current requested by the load. The controller further has a calculation and storage device for calculating and storing a time average value indicative of the power drawn over a first pre-set time period. The stored average value is used as an actual current draw request set-point signal by the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a second time period following the first time period. The time average is a moving time average, a mean value or an endpoint-to-endpoint average. The system further has a control unit for regulation of the fuel cell stack and the balance-of-plant unit. The adaptive energy management controller may incorporate the control unit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy storage module interface connectable between a fuel cell power module and an electric energy storage module for regulation of operation of the fuel cell power module, wherein the energy storage module is connectable, in use, to a load, and wherein the energy storage module comprises:
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a measurement device for measuring a process parameter indicative of the power drawn by the load, and a calculation and storage device for calculating and storing a time average value indicative of the power drawn over a first pre-set time period;
wherein the stored time average value is used as an actual current draw request set-point signal by the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a second time period following the first time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell power module electrically connectable to an electric energy storage module, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) connecting the fuel cell system to a load;
b) measuring a process parameter indicative of the power drawn by the load;
c) calculating and storing a time average value of the power drawn over a first pre-set time period;
d) using the stored average value as an actual current draw request set-point signal to the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a following second time period; and
e) repeating step b) to d) at the end of the second time period. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating an electrochemical cell system having a fuel cell power module, an electric energy storage module and an adaptive energy management controller:
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a) connecting the fuel cell power module through the adaptive energy management controller to the electric energy storage module, and connecting the electric energy storage module to a load, for supply of power to the load;
b) measuring a process parameter indicative of the power drawn by the load;
c) calculating and storing a time average value of the power drawn be the lad over a first pre-set time period;
d) using the stored time average value as an actual current draw request set-point signal to the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a following second time period; and
e) at the end of the second time period repeating steps b), c) and d).
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17. An electrochemical cell system having a fuel cell power module and an electric energy storage module, the fuel cell power module comprising a fuel cell stack, a balance-of plant unit for controllably connecting the fuel cell stack in fluid communication with at least one process fluid, an output of the fuel cell power module connectable to the electric energy storage module and an output of the electric energy storage module connectable to a load;
- the system further comprising;
an adaptive energy management controller connectable between the fuel cell power module and the electric energy storage module for regulating operation of the fuel cell power module, the adaptive energy management controller comprising a measurement device for measuring a process parameter indicative of the power drawn by the load, and a calculation and storage device for calculating and storing a time average value indicative of the power drawn over a first pre-set time period;
wherein the stored time average value is used as an actual current draw request set-point signal by the adaptive energy management controller for regulating the operation of the fuel cell power module for a second time period following the first time period. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- the system further comprising;
Specification