Abstract: A distributed fault management system includes at least one sensor associated with a fuel cell system and at least one first fault management computing device coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one first fault management computing device is configured to receive data associated with a first fault condition. The at least one first fault management computing device is further configured to generate a resolution to the first fault condition and transmit at least one resolution command signal to at least one second fault management computing device. The at least one resolution command signal configures the at least one second fault management computing device to use the resolution to resolve a second fault condition in a similar manner.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a plurality of battery strings, each battery string including a plurality of batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of temperature sensors; an enclosure housing the plurality of battery strings and the temperature sensors; a plurality of fans positioned in different locations within the enclosure; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute the method that includes determining fan speed operating commands based at least in part on sensed temperatures at the different locations, and operating the fan speed in response to the operating commands provided to the respective fans.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes an anode recirculation loop having a fuel cell stack for generating power, a flowmeter, a current sensor and a processor. The flowmeter is configured for measuring a fuel flow rate provided into the anode recirculation loop. The current sensor is configured for measuring a current drawn from the fuel cell stack. The processor is configured for determining a steam to carbon ratio in the anode recirculation loop based on the measured fuel flow rate and the measured current. The fuel cell system further includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in the anode recirculation loop. The process is configured for determining the steam to carbon ration further based on the measured temperature. A method for operating the fuel cell system and a fuel cell power plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a plurality of battery strings, each battery string including a plurality of batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of temperature sensors; an enclosure housing the plurality of battery strings and the temperature sensors; a plurality of fans positioned in different locations within the enclosure; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute the method that includes determining fan speed operating commands based at least in part on sensed temperatures at the different locations, and operating the fan speed in response to the operating commands provided to the respective fans.

Abstract: A fuel cell based power generation system is presented. The fuel cell based power generation system includes a fuel cell assembly configured to generate a DC power, at least one assembly switching element configured to operatively couple the fuel cell assembly to a first DC bus, at least one converter coupled between the first DC bus and an electrical grid, a plurality of auxiliary loads operatively coupled to the first DC bus at a location between the at least one assembly switching element and the at least one converter, where at least one of the plurality of auxiliary loads is configured to receive power from the fuel cell assembly via the at least one assembly switching element, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one converter, where the controller is configured to allow a voltage of the first DC bus to fluctuate within a range of voltage values.

Abstract: The power generation system includes a fuel-cell subsystem having a fuel-cell configured to generate an electrical power. The power generation system further includes a power electronics subsystem electrically coupled to the fuel-cell subsystem and configured to process at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the fuel-cell subsystem. The power generation system also includes a first conduit fluidly coupled to the power electronics subsystem and configured to supply at least a portion of a fuel stream to the power electronics subsystem. The power electronics subsystem is configured to heat the portion of the fuel stream to form a pre-heated fuel stream. Moreover, power generation system includes a second conduit fluidly coupled to the power electronics subsystem and the fuel-cell subsystem and configured to supply the pre-heated fuel stream to the fuel-cell subsystem. The fuel-cell is configured to generate the electrical power using the pre-heated fuel stream.

Abstract: An energy storage system is presented. The energy storage system includes a primary energy storage device operatively couplable to a main bus, where the main bus is operatively coupled to a power generation device. Further, the energy storage system includes an auxiliary bus operatively couplable to the main bus and a grid bus. Furthermore, the energy storage system includes a plurality of auxiliary loads operatively coupled to the auxiliary bus and a housing configured to encompass the primary energy storage device, the auxiliary bus, and the plurality of auxiliary loads, where the auxiliary bus is configured to supply power to the plurality of auxiliary loads from the primary energy storage device, the power generation device, a grid, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A modular energy storage system including an enclosure having at least one thermally conductive sidewall; a battery module housed inside of the enclosure and including a plurality of battery submodules, each battery submodule including a plurality of battery cells, at least some of the plurality of battery cells being electrically interconnected to each other; at least one heat pipe thermally coupled to the plurality of battery cells of at least one of the plurality of battery submodules to channel heat from the plurality of battery cells thermally coupled thereto to the at least one thermally conductive sidewall of the enclosure; and a cooling mechanism thermally coupled to the at least one thermally conductive sidewall of the enclosure to cool the at least one heat pipe.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation plant is disclosed. The plant includes fuel cell systems, each of which includes a fuel cell stack, sensors, actuators, a DC-DC converter and a microcontroller. The stack is coupled to a DC bus via the converter. The microcontroller communicates with the sensors, the actuators and the converter, and is configured to acquire sensor data from the sensors and obtain control signals for the actuators and the converter. The plant further includes an inverter coupled with the converter of each system via the DC bus and coupled to a power load, a first power line communication (PLC) modem coupled with the microcontroller of each system, a second PLC modem coupled with the first PLC modem via the DC bus; and a plant controller coupled with the second PLC modem and communicating with the inverter. A method of communication for use in a fuel cell power generation plant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell based power generation system is presented. The fuel cell based power generation system includes a fuel cell assembly configured to generate a DC power, at least one assembly switching element configured to operatively couple the fuel cell assembly to a first DC bus, at least one converter coupled between the first DC bus and an electrical grid, a plurality of auxiliary loads operatively coupled to the first DC bus at a location between the at least one assembly switching element and the at least one converter, where at least one of the plurality of auxiliary loads is configured to receive power from the fuel cell assembly via the at least one assembly switching element, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one converter, where the controller is configured to allow a voltage of the first DC bus to fluctuate within a range of voltage values.

Abstract: The power generation system includes a fuel-cell subsystem having a fuel-cell configured to generate an electrical power. The power generation system further includes a power electronics subsystem electrically coupled to the fuel-cell subsystem and configured to process at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the fuel-cell subsystem. The power generation system also includes a first conduit fluidly coupled to the power electronics subsystem and configured to supply at least a portion of a fuel stream to the power electronics subsystem. The power electronics subsystem is configured to heat the portion of the fuel stream to form a pre-heated fuel stream. Moreover, power generation system includes a second conduit fluidly coupled to the power electronics subsystem and the fuel-cell subsystem and configured to supply the pre-heated fuel stream to the fuel-cell subsystem. The fuel-cell is configured to generate the electrical power using the pre-heated fuel stream.

Abstract: An energy storage system is presented. The energy storage system includes a primary energy storage device operatively couplable to a main bus, where the main bus is operatively coupled to a power generation device. Further, the energy storage system includes an auxiliary bus operatively couplable to the main bus and a grid bus. Furthermore, the energy storage system includes a plurality of auxiliary loads operatively coupled to the auxiliary bus and a housing configured to encompass the primary energy storage device, the auxiliary bus, and the plurality of auxiliary loads, where the auxiliary bus is configured to supply power to the plurality of auxiliary loads from the primary energy storage device, the power generation device, a grid, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes a fuel cell stack coupled to a load for providing power, a gas delivery system coupled to the fuel cell stack for providing fuel and oxygen to the fuel cell stack and a control system. The control system includes a forward controller for generating a desired control instruction signal based on a command from the load, and a correction controller for generating a control correction signal to avoid violating operational constraints of the fuel cell stack based on at least one measured signal from the fuel cell system. The control system generates a control signal based on the desired control instruction signal and the control correction signal, and controls the gas delivery system based on the generated control signal to ensure the fuel cell stack is operated within safe operating limits. A method for controlling the fuel cell system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power system includes a first power asset include a first power source and a first power controller. The first power controller includes a first filter configured to receive an error amount at a first frequency range and a second power controller includes a second filter configured to receive the error amount at a second frequency range. The first power controller is configured to instruct the first power source to produce a first amount of power, adjust the first amount of power based on the error amount received by the first filter until the error amount received is substantially zero. When the error amount received is substantially zero, the first power controller is configured to determine a first desired operating amount of power based on the first power source, and adjust the first amount of power based on the first desired operating amount of power.

Abstract: A distributed fault management system includes at least one sensor associated with a fuel cell system and at least one first fault management computing device coupled to the at least one sensor. The at least one first fault management computing device is configured to receive data associated with a first fault condition. The at least one first fault management computing device is further configured to generate a resolution to the first fault condition and transmit at least one resolution command signal to at least one second fault management computing device. The at least one resolution command signal configures the at least one second fault management computing device to use the resolution to resolve a second fault condition in a similar manner.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a fuel cell coupled to a load. The protection circuit includes a switch and a controller. The switch is coupled between the fuel cell and an auxiliary load. The switch is configured to selectively couple the auxiliary load to the fuel cell. The controller is coupled to the switch. The controller is configured to control the switch to couple the auxiliary load to the fuel cell when the load demands a reduction in power output from the fuel cell. The controller is further configured to maintain the power output from said fuel cell at an initial level.

Abstract: A power system for an industrial facility includes a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (HSOFC) system. The HSOFC system is coupled to at least one DC load and to at least one AC load. The at least one DC load defines a DC power demand value and the at least one AC load defines an AC power demand value. The DC power demand value and the AC power demand value define a power demand ratio. The HSOFC system is configured to generate DC power and generate AC power with a power generation ratio substantially complementary to the power demand ratio.

Abstract: A power system includes a first power asset include a first power source and a first power controller. The first power controller includes a first filter configured to receive an error amount at a first frequency range and a second power controller includes a second filter configured to receive the error amount at a second frequency range. The first power controller is configured to instruct the first power source to produce a first amount of power, adjust the first amount of power based on the error amount received by the first filter until the error amount received is substantially zero. When the error amount received is substantially zero, the first power controller is configured to determine a first desired operating amount of power based on the first power source, and adjust the first amount of power based on the first desired operating amount of power.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes an anode recirculation loop having a fuel cell stack for generating power, a flowmeter, a current sensor and a processor. The flowmeter is configured for measuring a fuel flow rate provided into the anode recirculation loop. The current sensor is configured for measuring a current drawn from the fuel cell stack. The processor is configured for determining a steam to carbon ratio in the anode recirculation loop based on the measured fuel flow rate and the measured current. The fuel cell system further includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in the anode recirculation loop. The process is configured for determining the steam to carbon ration further based on the measured temperature. A method for operating the fuel cell system and a fuel cell power plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, which includes a fuel cell stack coupled to a load for providing power, a gas delivery system coupled to the fuel cell stack for providing fuel and oxygen to the fuel cell stack and a control system. The control system includes a forward controller for generating a desired control instruction signal based on a command from the load, and a correction controller for generating a control correction signal to avoid violating operational constraints of the fuel cell stack based on at least one measured signal from the fuel cell system. The control system generates a control signal based on the desired control instruction signal and the control correction signal, and controls the gas delivery system based on the generated control signal to ensure the fuel cell stack is operated within safe operating limits. A method for controlling the fuel cell system is also disclosed.