Analysis of Common-Mode Voltage in Utility-Interactive Fuel Cell Power Conditioners

Fuel cell stacks produce a dc output with a 2:1 voltage variation from no load to full load. It is customary for a utility-scale fuel cell stack to consist of several hundreds of series-connected cells, each producing 0.6 V at full load. A power conditioner consisting of dc-dc and dc-ac converters i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on industrial electronics (1982) 2009-01, Vol.56 (1), p.20-27
Main Authors: Palma, L., Todorovic, M.H., Enjeti, P.N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Common-mode current
common-mode voltage
Conditioners
Current control
DC-DC power converters
Electric currents
Electric potential
Electric power generation
Electromagnetic interference
Electrostatics
Frequency conversion
fuel cell
Fuel cells
Full load
Grounds
Power industry
Protection
Stacks
Topology
utility interactive
Voltage
Voltage control
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Summary:Fuel cell stacks produce a dc output with a 2:1 voltage variation from no load to full load. It is customary for a utility-scale fuel cell stack to consist of several hundreds of series-connected cells, each producing 0.6 V at full load. A power conditioner consisting of dc-dc and dc-ac converters is required for utility interface, which are operated in high frequency, employing pulsewidth-modulation control for voltage and current regulation. Due to their switch-mode nature, a common-mode voltage with respect to ground is generated. The common-mode voltage, in turn, contributes to the circulating ground current, which can interfere with the ground fault protection system. In addition, it also contributes to the neutral shift and electromagnetic interference. Moreover, the electrostatic potential to ground within the fuel cell stack needs to be limited for safe operation. This paper presents an analysis of common-mode voltage in several fuel-cell-powered converter topologies connected to the electric utility and discusses several mitigation methods suitable for utility-scale generation.
ISSN:0278-0046
1557-9948
DOI:10.1109/TIE.2008.2004382