Abstract: Fuel cell including a stack of membrane/electrodes assemblies, an inlet end plate and an outlet end plate, n intermediate plates disposed in the stack between the inlet and outlet end plates to form n+1 sub-stacks of the stack, n being greater than or equal to 1. The fuel cell may include ducts for circulating a heat transfer fluid, an oxidant and a fuel passing in the inlet and outlet end plates and the n intermediate plates, valves that may control the heat transfer fluid in the circulation ducts, and valves that may control the heat transfer fluid, the oxidant, and the fuel in the circulation ducts of the n intermediate plates and may be configured to allow circulation of the heat transfer fluid, the oxidant, and the fuel in m sub-stacks of the stack, m being greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.