Distributed Fuel Cell Generation in Restructured Power Systems

This paper emphasizes the role of fuel cells as one of the popular options for distributed generation (DG) applications in restructured power systems. Typical topologies of fuel cell-based distributed generation systems are introduced, and major issues concerning interconnection with the utility grid are highlighted. Also presented in the paper are some of the issues related to marketing and standardization of fuel cell DG technology. Finally, a few working examples of fuel cell-based DG systems in the US and around the world are reviewed and their operation and performance characteristics are discussed.