Characteristics of Power-Supply Control in Marine Vehicles with a Power Plant Based on Fuel Cells

Today, marine vehicles using environmentally friendly renewable-energy power plants are becoming increasingly widespread worldwide. Hydrogen—oxygen electrochemical generators (ECGs) with a solid polymer electrolyte are one such way to renew electric energy. The main advantages of such power plants are an absence of harmful emissions, low operating temperature, and wide power output range of the ECG depending on the load. However, the maximum efficiency of the system is achieved under the maximum power and the optimal temperature (of the order of 80°C). It should also be noted that, under a “cold” start, the battery does not generate full power. Thus, it is advisable to use a fuel-cell stack in a hybrid power plant, which also includes lithium-ion batteries and other power-storage devices to ensure the necessary maneuverability of marine vehicles. Thus, the problem of power control in hybrid power plants in the transient and steady modes of ship maneuvering is becoming important. © 2017, Allerton Press, Inc.