Investigation of the Effects of Fuel Cells on V-Q & V-P Characteristics

Abstract

In this paper, the use of a FC system connected to the network is proposed as a source of DG with high reliability, and for this purpose, the dynamic model of the fuel cell has been simulated. A hybrid system of fuel cell distributed generation (FCDG) is presented to provide electrical energy for a small isolated area. Boost converter (DC/DC), in order to increase the voltage level of the system and stabilize the DC link voltage has been used, which provides the possibility of connecting several different scattered production sources in parallel. Voltage stability is concerned with the ability of a power system to maintain acceptable bus voltages under normal conditions and after being subjected to a disturbance. The use of DG sources has many advantages, including meeting peak load needs, reducing network losses, providing reactive power locally, and regulating network voltage. Among all sources of distributed production, fuel cells are of special importance due to their high efficiency, high energy density, the ability to simultaneously produce heat and electric power, and low emission of pollutants. Using fuel cells (FCs) have several advantages and in this paper we investigate the effects of FCs on power systems via simulation a single machine (DG as small gas turbine coupled with a FC) in the Dig Silent area for different PF of FC. Different PF for FC obtained with control the DC to AC inverter. We found that by control the PF of FCs, we can increase the limitation of reactive generation of overall system and improve the V-P V-Q characteristics of overall system. With the grid-connected inverter's switching control, the active and reactive power injected into the grid is controlled independently.