An electrochemical model and a thermal model have been developed and coupled in order to study solid oxide fuel cell operation conditions depending on the nature of the fuel (4). A sensibility study performed on the model parameters has highlighted a significant contribution of the heat exchange coefficients. In order to validate these physical parameters, experiments have been performed at 800°C on anode supported cells upon hydrogen feeding. In the present work, special attention has been given to the measurements of the temperatures in the gas channel at the anode and cathode side. The elevation of these temperatures is found to be well correlated with the current density in the cell. Experimental temperature profiles along the gas channels are introduced in the thermal model of the cell as boundary conditions. Heat fluxes exhausted from the cell to the cathode and anode gas channel are simulated. These fluxes are compared to the heats evacuated by the fuel and air flows. This comparison is discussed according to the heat exchange parameter values.