Fuel Cell Testing and Simulation

The future of clean energy relies on precision

State-of-the-art solutions for fuel cell testing and simulation, designed to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving industry

EA Elektro-Automatik’s regenerative loads are not only accurate and fast but also cost-effective, equipped with a comprehensive set of features for testing fuel cell resistance, performance, and lifespan.

EA’s bidirectional power supplies enhance operational flexibility and reduce costs by simulating various fuel cell characteristics at the touch of a button. Designed for versatility, EA’s devices are suitable for testing and simulating fuel cells in a wide range of applications. With the fuel cell market currently expanding at a 30% growth rate due to factors like government initiatives and economic incentives, the need for flexible, cost-effective testing solutions has never been more critical.

Related Products

Elektro Automatik's EL and ELR SC Electronic Loads offer regenerative SC and Conventional electric

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Turnkey Power Racks

Application Solutions

Fuel Cell Stack Performance Test

Boost your fuel cell performance analysis with key metrics like polarization and power density curves, typically evaluated under optimal conditions such as temperature, humidity, electrocatalysis, and ion-exchange membrane. Utilize programmable DC electronic loads to effortlessly capture these measurements across various current or resistance profiles.

EA Elektro-Automatik’s ELR 10000 4U series of electronic loads provides a comprehensive range of dynamic loading tests, enabling precise fuel cell characterization.

Constant Resistance Mode

In Constant Resistance Mode the user can define a target resistance for drawing the desired current from the fuel cell stack.

It can be easily adjusted via the intuitive HMI (Human Machine Interface) for altering the resistance value.

XY Table

Within the XY Table the user can define different discharge current subject to different voltage, by loading this IV table to the unit.

This option is particularly useful for non-linear output characteristic verification.

Fuel Cell Stack Durability Test

To ensure product safety and stability across diverse applications, fuel cell durability testing is essential. However, this can be a time-consuming and costly process, especially for a standard 100kW fuel cell stack system.

Automotive standards demand 5,000 hours of testing, while stationary storage needs exceed 10,000 hours. Despite the use of accelerated test profiles like step and triangular potential cycles, significant energy loss can occur.

EA Elektro-Automatik’s ELR series comes equipped with an internal Function Generator for accelerated testing and a Discharging Test function for precise energy measurement results. To mitigate high operating costs, many test stations are now adopting regenerative DC electronic loads like our ELR 10000 4U series, which boasts a high regenerative efficiency of over 96%, recycling energy back into the grid and substantially reducing costs.

Dynamic Discharge function generator<br />

Case Studies

Series Connection and Ultra-low Minimum Load Voltage

To accommodate the increasing demand for testing fuel-cell stacks operating in the 500V-750V range, EA Elektro-Automatik offers the SCB (Series-Box-Connection) option. This feature enables users to configure electronic load units either in parallel for enhanced current capability or in series for elevated voltage testing

Example 1

Two units of 750 V in series

Permissible: Yes

Grounding Required: No

Restrictions: No

Example 2

Three units of 750 V in series

Permissible: Yes

Grounding Required: Yes, either between unit 2 and 3, or between 1 and 2.

Restrictions: No

Testing

Evaluate critical fuel cell metrics like resistance, performance, and lifespan

The EA-ELR 10000 series of regenerative loads is specifically designed for fuel cell testing with an input power of 30kW.

For large-scale testing, these units can be connected in parallel to achieve up to 1.92MW. Our electronic loads come with built-in features like an arbitrary waveform generator and a function generator, offering you unparalleled testing flexibility. Operating at 96% efficiency, our regenerative loads minimize energy loss by feeding it back into the mains, eliminating the need for additional cooling systems and reducing operational costs.

Simulation

Determine fuel cell performance and characteristics easily, quickly, and efficiently

Maximize your fuel cell testing simulation capabilities with our EA-PSB 10000 bidirectional programmable DC power supply, engineered for rapid, efficient, and cost-effective evaluations.

This versatile unit enables you to simulate a wide range of fuel cell characteristics, and its scalability allows for testing multiple or high-power fuel cells by connecting units in parallel to reach up to 1.92MW. As a bidirectional solution, the EA-PSB 10000 also serves as an electronic load, offering comprehensive fuel cell testing. Leveraging grid regeneration technology, this power supply operates at an impressive 96% efficiency, channeling absorbed energy back into the local grid.