Integration of a hybrid fuel cell-battery system to a distribution grid

In order to integrate a proton exchange membrane type (PEM) fuel cell system (FCS) combined with a battery bank to a distribution grid; this paper proposes a local controller based on fuzzy logic. The proposed system provides primary frequency control and local bus voltage support to the local grid. This opposes the passive distributed generation of the present that do not provide auxiliary services, such as back-up power, voltage support and reliability of supply as they operate under constant power factor equal to 1 at all times. During network disturbances, the distributed generations of the present are disconnected until normal operation is reestablished. When the distributed generation penetration is high this may lead to system instability. The microgrid concept is the effective solution for the control and quality improvement of grids with high level of DG penetration. So, the proposed system, also, can be an active controllable microsource of a microgrid in the future that cooperates with other microsources in order to cover the local load demands for active and reactive power either under grid-connected mode or under islanding operating mode. In cases where the distribution grid (working as microgrid) is forced to operate in islanded mode, the hybrid system provides the demanded active and reactive power. The FCS is connected to a weak distribution grid so that the system performance is studied under the worst conditions. The simulation results are obtained using MATLAB software under a severe step load change where the grid is still connected and under islanded operation. In both cases the system presents a good performance.