Fuel Cell Power Plant

Abstract

The fuel cell power plant system may include two or more power supply units and a fuel cell power plant controller. The two or more power supply units may be electrically connected. Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the two or more power supply units and may include a user control circuit and a monitoring circuit. The user control circuit may control an operating mode of the fuel cell power plant system to run in an operating mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode. The monitoring circuit may monitor the two or more power supply units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy generated.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, into electricity through a coupled redox reaction. Fuel cells differ from most batteries in that they generally require a continuous source of fuel and oxygen to sustain the chemical reaction. In batteries, the chemical energy is usually derived from metals and their ions or oxides, which are typically already present in the battery, except in flow batteries. Fuel cells can continuously generate electricity as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0002] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include two or more power supply units and a fuel cell power plant controller. The two or more power supply units may be electrically connected and / or connected in parallel. Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the two or more power supply units and may include user control circuitry and monitoring circuitry. The user control circuitry may control an operating mode of the fuel cell power plant system to run in an operating mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode. The monitoring circuitry may monitor the two or more power supply units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy generated.

[0003] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than vehicular fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be hydrogen fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The fuel cell power plant system may include two or more platforms for two or more power units. One or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines may extend through the two or more platforms and may provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units.

[0004] One of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system. A first fuel cell system of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a main gateway control circuit that monitors a water temperature, a fuel leak sensor, or a smoke sensor associated with the corresponding power unit. Each of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a managing electronic control unit (ECU) that issues commands to the corresponding fuel cell system. The commands may be a vehicle stability management (VSM) override operation or an immobilizer override operation. The two or more power units may output power to a grid inverter.

[0005] According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant controller may include a user control circuit and a monitoring circuit. The user control circuit may control an operation mode of the fuel cell power plant system to be performed in an operating mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode. The monitoring circuit may monitor two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy generated. The two or more power units may be electrically connected. The two or more power units may be electrically connected to the fuel cell power plant controller. Each of the two or more power units may include two or more fuel cell systems that may be connected in parallel.

[0006] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than vehicular fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be hydrogen fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The fuel cell power plant controller may include two or more platforms for two or more power units. One or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines may extend through the two or more platforms and may provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units. One of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with a corresponding fuel cell system.

[0007] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include two or more power supply units and a fuel cell power plant controller. The two or more power supply units may be electrically connected and / or connected in parallel. Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems used for applications other than the vehicle fuel cell. The two or more fuel cell systems may be connected in parallel. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the two or more power supply units and may include user control circuitry and monitoring circuitry. The user control circuitry may control an operating mode of the fuel cell power plant system to be performed in an operating mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode. The monitoring circuitry may monitor the two or more power supply units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy generated.

[0008] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be hydrogen fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The fuel cell power plant system may include two or more platforms for two or more power units. One or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines may extend through the two or more platforms and can provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units.

[0009] According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant cooling system may include a power unit coolant supply line, two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines, two or more fuel cell systems, two or more fuel cell system return supply lines, and a power unit return supply line. The power unit coolant supply line may be configured to receive coolant. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be connected to the power unit coolant supply line and configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell systems may each be configured to be cooled by the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The two or more fuel cell system return supply lines may each be connected to the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines and configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The power unit return supply lines may be connected to the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines and may each be configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines.

[0010] An end of the power unit coolant supply line may be capped. An end of the power unit return supply line may be capped. An end of the power unit coolant supply line may be connected to a power unit coolant supply line of the second fuel cell power plant cooling system. An end of the power unit return supply line may be connected to a power unit return supply line of the second fuel cell power plant cooling system. The coolant may be water. The fuel cell power plant cooling system may include two or more slidable fuel cell system skids each capable of housing two or more fuel cell systems. The fuel cell power plant cooling system may include two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines, which may be connected to a condensate drain line and may be configured to exhaust exhaust from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane.

[0011] According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant cooling structure may include a power unit coolant supply line, two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines, two or more fuel cell systems, two or more fuel cell system return supply lines, and a power unit return supply line. The power unit coolant supply line may be configured to receive coolant. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be connected to the power unit coolant supply line and configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell systems may each be configured to be cooled by the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The two or more fuel cell system return supply lines may each be connected to the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines and configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The power unit return supply lines may be connected to the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines and configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines.

[0012] An end of the power unit coolant supply line may be capped. An end of the power unit return supply line may be capped. An end of the power unit coolant supply line may be connected to a power unit coolant supply line of the second fuel cell power plant cooling structure. An end of the power unit return supply line may be connected to a power unit return supply line of the second fuel cell power plant cooling structure. The coolant may be water. The fuel cell power plant cooling structure may include two or more slidable fuel cell system skids each capable of housing two or more fuel cell systems. The fuel cell power plant cooling structure may include two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines, which may be connected to a condensate drain line and may be configured to exhaust exhaust from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane.

[0013] According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant cooling arrangement may include a first fuel cell power plant cooling system and a second fuel cell power plant cooling system. The first fuel cell power plant cooling system may include a power unit coolant supply line, two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines, two or more fuel cell systems, two or more fuel cell system return supply lines, and a power unit return supply line. The power unit coolant supply line may be configured to receive coolant. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be connected to the power unit coolant supply line and configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell systems may each be configured to be cooled by the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The two or more fuel cell system return supply lines may each be connected to the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines and configured to receive spent coolant from the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines. The power unit return supply lines may be connected to the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines and configured to receive spent coolant from the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines. The second fuel cell power plant cooling system may include a second power unit coolant supply line, which may be configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply line.

[0014] An end of the second power unit coolant supply line may be capped. The second fuel cell power plant cooling system may include a second power unit return supply line, the second power unit return supply line may be configured to receive spent coolant from the power unit return supply line. An end of the second power unit return supply line may be capped.

[0015] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include a fuel supply line, two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines, and two or more power supply units. The fuel supply line may be configured to receive fuel. The two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines may be connected to the fuel supply line and configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply line. The two or more power supply units may each be configured to be supplied with fuel by the two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines.

[0016] Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than the vehicle fuel cell. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). An end of the fuel supply line may be capped. An end of the fuel supply line may be connected to a fuel supply line of a second fuel cell power plant cooling system. The fuel may be hydrogen.

[0017] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant configuration may include a fuel supply line, two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines, and two or more power supply units. The fuel supply line may be configured to receive fuel. The two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines may be connected to the fuel supply line and configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply line. The two or more power supply units may each be configured to be supplied with fuel by the two or more fuel cell system fuel supply lines.

[0018] Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than the vehicle fuel cell. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). An end of the fuel supply line may be capped. An end of the fuel supply line may be connected to a fuel supply line of a second fuel cell power plant cooling system. The fuel may be hydrogen.

[0019] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include a fuel supply line, a first fuel cell system fuel supply line, a second fuel cell system fuel supply line, a first power supply unit, and a second power supply unit. The fuel supply line may be configured to receive fuel. The first fuel cell system fuel supply line may be connected to the fuel supply line and may be configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply line. The second fuel cell system fuel supply line may be connected to the fuel supply line and may be configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply line. The first power supply unit may be configured to be supplied with fuel by the first fuel cell system fuel supply line. The second power supply unit may be configured to be supplied with fuel by the second fuel cell system fuel supply line.

[0020] Each of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit may include two or more fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for an application other than the vehicle fuel cell. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). An end of the fuel supply line may be capped. An end of the fuel supply line may be connected to a fuel supply line of a second fuel cell power plant cooling system.

[0021] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include two or more electrically connected power supply units, two or more voltage channels, and a fuel cell power plant controller. Each of the two or more power supply units may include two or more fuel cell systems. The two or more voltage channels may each be connected to two or more power supply units. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the two or more power supply units.

[0022] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than vehicular fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be hydrogen fuel cell systems. One or more of the fuel cell systems may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The fuel cell power plant system may include two or more platforms for two or more power units, and one or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines extend through the two or more platforms to provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units. One of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system. A first fuel cell system of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a main gateway control circuit that monitors a water temperature, a fuel leak sensor, or a smoke sensor associated with the corresponding power unit. Each of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a management electronic control unit (ECU) that issues commands to the corresponding fuel cell system. The commands may be a vehicle stability management (VSM) override operation or an immobilizer override operation. The two or more power supply units can output power to the grid inverter.

[0023] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include a first power supply unit, a second power supply unit, a first voltage channel, a second voltage channel, and a fuel cell power plant controller. The first power supply unit may include two or more fuel cell systems. The second power supply unit may include two or more fuel cell systems and may be electrically connected to the first power supply unit. The first voltage channel may be connected to the first power supply unit. The second voltage channel may be connected to the second power supply unit. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit.

[0024] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than vehicular fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be a hydrogen fuel cell system. One or more of the fuel cell systems includes a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU).

[0025] According to one aspect, a fuel cell power plant system may include two or more electrically connected power supply units, two or more voltage channels, and a fuel cell power plant controller. Each of the two or more power supply units may include less than eight fuel cell systems in the two or more fuel cell systems. Each of the two or more voltage channels may be connected to two or more power supply units. The fuel cell power plant controller may be electrically connected to the two or more power supply units.

[0026] One or more of the fuel cell systems may be used for applications other than vehicular fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be a hydrogen fuel cell system. One or more of the fuel cell systems include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The fuel cell power plant system may include two or more platforms for two or more power units, and one or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines extend through the two or more platforms to provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units. One of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system.

[0027] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger of a fuel cell power plant system may include a first loop and a second loop. In the first loop, a first cooling fluid may pass through the fuel cell stack, a thermostat, a first portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger, and a fuel cell pump. In the second loop, a second cooling fluid may pass through a second portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger.

[0028] The second cooling liquid may be received from an external source. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a third loop. In the third loop, the third cooling liquid may pass through an area associated with the circuit, the fuel cell stack, the expansion tank, and a first portion of the second plate of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a fourth loop. In the fourth loop, the second cooling liquid may pass through a second portion of the second plate of the heat exchanger. The first plate may have a size larger than the second plate of the heat exchanger. The first cooling liquid or the second cooling liquid may be water.

[0029] The thermostat can adjust a path of the first loop. If the temperature of the first coolant is above a threshold, the first loop can include a first portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger. If the temperature of the first coolant is below a threshold, the first loop can not include the first portion of the first plate of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system can include a fuel cell system coolant supply line that receives the second coolant.

[0030] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger of a fuel cell power plant system may include a first loop, a second loop, and a third loop. In the first loop, a first coolant may pass through the fuel cell stack, a thermostat, a first portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger, and a fuel cell pump. In the second loop, a second coolant may pass through a second portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger. In the third loop, a third coolant may pass through an area associated with the circuit, the fuel cell stack, an expansion tank, and a first portion of a second plate of the heat exchanger.

[0031] The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a fourth loop, and the second coolant may pass through a second portion of the second plate of the heat exchanger. The first plate may have a size larger than the second plate of the heat exchanger. The first coolant or the second coolant may be water. The thermostat may adjust the path of the first loop. The first loop may include a first portion of the first plate of the heat exchanger if the temperature of the first coolant is above a threshold.

[0032] According to one aspect, a heat exchanger of a fuel cell power plant system may include a first loop and a second loop. In the first loop, a first coolant may pass through the fuel cell stack, a thermostat that adjusts the path of the first loop based on a temperature of the first coolant, a first portion of a first plate of the heat exchanger, and a fuel cell pump. In the second loop, a second coolant may pass through a second portion of the first plate of the heat exchanger.

[0033] The second cooling liquid may be received from an external source. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a third loop. In the third loop, the third cooling liquid may pass through an area associated with the circuit, the fuel cell stack, the expansion tank, and a first portion of the second plate of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a fourth loop. In the fourth loop, the second cooling liquid may pass through a second portion of the second plate of the heat exchanger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1A] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 1B] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 1C] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 3A] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 3B] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 4A] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 4B] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 4C] 1 is a diagram of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are exemplary exploded views of a fuel cell power plant cooling structure, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is an exemplary exploded view of a fuel cell power plant cooling structure, according to one aspect. [Figure 7]1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a fuel system of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one aspect. [Figure 8] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of engine level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 9A] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 9B] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are exemplary schematic diagrams of plant level cooling for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11A] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 11B] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 11C] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 11D] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of quad-level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 12A] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 12B] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 12C] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 13A] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 13B] 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 14]1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one aspect. [Figure 15] 1 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for operating a fuel cell power plant, according to one aspect. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary computer-readable medium or device including processor-executable instructions configured to embody one or more of the measures described herein, according to one aspect. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example computing environment in which one or more of the approaches described herein may be implemented, according to one aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and / or forms of components that fall within the scope of the term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that the components discussed herein may be combined, omitted, organized with other components, or organized into different architectures.

[0036] As used herein, a "processor" processes signals and performs general purpose calculations and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by a processor may include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions, processor instructions, messages, bits, bitstreams, or other means that can be received, transmitted, and / or detected. In general, a processor may be a wide variety of processors, including single processors, multi-core processors, and co-processors, as well as other single processor architectures, other multi-core co-processor architectures, and other co-processor architectures. A processor may include various modules that perform various functions.

[0037] As used herein, "memory" may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM). Volatile memory may include, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), Synchronous RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), and Direct RAM Bus RAM (DRRAM). Memory may store an operating system that controls or allocates resources of a computing device.

[0038] As used herein, a "disk" or "drive" may be a magnetic disk drive, a solid state disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, a Zip drive, a flash memory card, and / or a memory stick. Additionally, a disk may be a CD-ROM (compact disk ROM), a CD recordable drive (CD-R drive), a CD re-writeable drive (CD-RW drive), and / or a digital video ROM drive (DVD-ROM). A disk may store an operating system that controls or allocates resources of a computing device.

[0039] As used herein, a "bus" refers to an interconnect architecture operatively connected to other computer components within or between computers. A bus can transfer data between components of a computer. A bus may be a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch, and / or a local bus, among others. A bus may also be a vehicle bus that interconnects components within a vehicle using protocols such as Media Oriented System Transport (MOST), Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Modbus, among others.

[0040] As used herein, a "database" may refer to a table, a set of tables, and a set of data stores (disks), and / or methods for accessing and / or manipulating those data stores.

[0041] An "operable connection" or a connection by which entities are "operably connected" is a connection that may transmit and / or receive signals, physical communications, and / or logical communications. An operable connection may include wireless interfaces, physical interfaces, data interfaces, and / or electrical interfaces.

[0042] As used herein, "computer communication" refers to communication between two or more computing devices (e.g., computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, network devices) and may be, for example, network transfers, file transfers, applet transfers, electronic mail, and HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) transfers. Computer communication may occur, for example, across wireless systems (e.g., IEEE 802.11), Ethernet systems (e.g., IEEE 802.3), token ring systems (e.g., IEEE 802.5), local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), point-to-point systems, circuit-switched systems, packet-switched systems, among others.

[0043] As used herein, a "mobile device" may be a computing device that typically has a display screen with user input (e.g., touch, keyboard) and a processor for computing. Mobile devices include handheld devices, portable electronic devices, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and e-readers.

[0044] As used herein, a "vehicle" refers to any mobile vehicle capable of transporting one or more human passengers and powered by any form of energy. The term "vehicle" includes cars, trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, boats, personal watercraft, and airplanes. In some scenarios, a motor vehicle comprises one or more engines. Additionally, the term "vehicle" may refer to an electric vehicle (EV) that is driven in whole or in part by one or more electric motors powered by a battery. EVs may include battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Additionally, the term "vehicle" may refer to an autonomous vehicle and / or a self-driving vehicle powered by any form of energy. An autonomous vehicle may or may not transport one or more human passengers.

[0045] As used herein, a "vehicle system" may be any automatic or manual system that may be used to enhance a vehicle and / or driving. Exemplary vehicle systems include autonomous driving systems, electronic stability control systems, anti-lock braking systems, brake assist systems, automatic brake prefill systems, low speed following systems, cruise control systems, collision warning systems, collision mitigation braking systems, automatic cruise control systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot indicator systems, lane keeping assist systems, navigation systems, transmission systems, brake pedal systems, electronic power steering systems, visual devices (e.g., camera systems, proximity sensor systems), temperature control systems, electronic pretension systems, monitoring systems, occupant detection systems, vehicle suspension systems, vehicle seat configuration systems, vehicle cabin lighting systems, audio systems, and sensor systems, among others.

[0046] Aspects discussed herein can be described and implemented in the context of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores computer-executable instructions. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include computer storage media and communication media. For example, flash memory drives, digital versatile disks (DVDs), compact disks (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media can include volatile, non-volatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, modules, or other data.

[0047] 1A-1C are exemplary schematic diagrams of a fuel cell power plant system 100, which may include a fuel cell power plant cooling structure or a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. The fuel cell power plant system 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C is shown with four power supply units 110, 120, 130, 140. The fuel cell power plant system 100 may further include a fuel cell power plant controller 300 (shown in FIG. 2), which will be described in more detail herein. Each of the power supply units 110, 120, 130, 140 may include two or more fuel cell systems. The fuel cell power plant controller 300 may be electrically connected to the power supply units 110, 120, 130, 140. Power supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C each include four fuel cell systems (110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d).

[0048] One or more of the fuel cell systems (110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) may be used in applications other than vehicle fuel cells. One or more of the fuel cell systems may be a hydrogen fuel cell system. The fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter 160, a fan, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU). The DC-DC converter 160 may convert a high voltage DC to 12V, for example, and may provide galvanic isolation between the high voltage DC and the 12V. The high voltage may be 300V to 400V, and the low voltage may be, for example, 10V to 16V. The fuel cell power plant system 100 of Figures 1A-1C may be used, for example, as a backup generator in place of a diesel generator. As can be seen from Figures 1A-1C, the fuel cell systems are organized into four groups, which may be referred to herein as "quads" or "quad units." Thus, the four quad units of Figures 1A-1C have a total of 16 fuel cell systems.

[0049] One of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a gateway control circuit 514 that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system. A first fuel cell system of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a main gateway control circuit 516 that monitors a water temperature, a fuel leak sensor, or a smoke sensor associated with the corresponding power unit. Each of the two or more fuel cell systems may include a management electronic control unit (ECU) 518 that issues commands to the corresponding fuel cell system. The commands may be a vehicle stability management (VSM) override operation or an immobilizer override operation. The two or more power units may output power to a grid inverter.

[0050] The utility may receive energy from the load bank. There may be a first panel, which may be at a first voltage (e.g., 480 volts) and may be connected to a transformer that may step down the first voltage to a single phase of a second voltage (e.g., lower than the first voltage) that may provide power to the fuel cell power plant system 100. The power supply units 110, 120, 130, 140 may output power to one or more grid inverters (e.g., the first inverter 112 and the second inverter 114). The second panel may provide auxiliary power to the grid inverters, which may be connected to the transformer to back down from the second voltage to the first voltage.

[0051] According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant system 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C may be capable of supporting operation from a black start scenario to restore power from the fuel cell power plant system 100 from a power outage without relying on any external power grid to recover from a full or partial shutdown. The fuel cell power plant controller 300 may support operation in standalone and black start conditions. The fuel cell power plant controller 300 may include software to support black start operation, such as software functions to recover from a no power state and energize external systems in a proper order or sequence when grid power is not present. This may include provisions for starting from energy storage and bootstrapping of any associated cooling systems. The grid inverter may be configured for black start and enabled for operation in a microgrid configuration. In this regard, when the system begins from a black start, the fuel cell power plant controller 300 may energize the grid inverter.

[0052] 1A-1C show two voltage channels 602, 604 connected to power supply units (e.g., quad units) 110, 120, 130, 140, respectively. The voltage channels 602, 604 may be high voltage channels and may be independent of each other. According to one embodiment, the two voltage channels 602, 604 may be limited to channels to several fuel cells to reduce exposure to shocks via system isolation.

[0053] 2 is a diagram of exemplary components of the fuel cell power plant system 100, according to one embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 2, each power unit 110, 120, 130, 140, or quad unit, may be electrically connected, such as in parallel. A fuel cell power plant controller 300 may be electrically connected to one or more of the power units 110, 120, 130, 140 and may act as an interface between the power units 110, 120, 130, 140 and the first inverter 112, the second inverter 114, or other circuits. The first inverter 112 and the second inverter 114 may transfer the power generated by the fuel cell power plant system 100 to a load center. Each quad or power unit 110, 120, 130, 140 may receive treated air (e.g., intake air to the fuel cell system), vent air, water or cooling, and fuel to each fuel cell system, and may exhaust water or cooling, power (e.g., to the first inverter 112 or the second inverter 114), drain water, treated exhaust, and vent exhaust.

[0054] The fuel cell power plant controller 300 may include a user control circuit 302 and a monitoring circuit 304. The user control circuit 302 may control the operating mode of the fuel cell power plant system to run in a run mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode (e.g., allowing an operator to force the system to start the fuel cell for scheduled maintenance), or an emergency shutdown mode. The monitoring circuit 304 may monitor two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or the amount of energy generated.

[0055] 3A-3B are diagrams of exemplary components of a fuel cell power plant system, according to one embodiment. As can be seen in FIGS. 3A-3B, the power units 110, 120, 130, 140, or quad units, may be electrically connected in parallel. The first inverter 112 and the second inverter 114 may transfer the power generated by the fuel cell power plant system 100 to a load center. Each quad or power unit 110, 120, 130, 140 may receive treated air (e.g., intake air to the fuel cell system), vent air, water or cooling, and fuel to each fuel cell system, and may exhaust water or cooling, power (e.g., to the first inverter 112 or the second inverter 114), drain water, treated exhaust, and vent exhaust. The fuel cell system or power unit 110, 120, 130, 140 may include a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell battery, an air pump, a fan, a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU), gateway control circuits, a management electronic control unit (ECU), and a fuel cell power plant cooling structure, which are described in more detail in Figures 5A-5B.

[0056] 4A-4C are diagrams of example components of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the fuel cell power plant cooling system may include one or more power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404, two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, two or more fuel cell systems 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b, and one or more power unit return supply lines 412, 414.

[0057] The power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404 may be configured to receive coolant. Two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b may be connected to the power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404 and configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404. The two or more fuel cell systems 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d may be configured to be cooled by two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, respectively. The two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b may be connected to two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, respectively, and may be configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b. The power unit return supply lines 412, 414 may be connected to two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b, respectively, and may be configured to receive coolant from the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4B, the ends of the power unit coolant supply lines 402a, 404a may be connected to power unit coolant supply lines 402b, 404b of a second fuel cell power plant cooling system as seen in Figure 4C. Similarly, the ends of the power unit return supply lines 412a, 414a may be connected to power unit return supply lines 412b, 414b of the second fuel cell power plant cooling system in Figure 4C.

[0059] 4C, the ends of the power unit coolant supply lines 402b, 404b may be capped 430. Similarly, the ends of the power unit return supply lines 412b, 414b may be capped 430. According to one aspect, the fuel cell power plant cooling structure may include a first fuel cell power plant cooling system (e.g., FIG. 4B) and a second fuel cell power plant cooling system (e.g., FIG. 4C).

[0060] Each of the first fuel cell power plant cooling system and the second fuel cell power plant cooling system may include one or more power unit coolant supply lines 402 (including 402a, 402b), 404 (including 404a, 404b), two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, two or more fuel cell systems 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b, and one or more power unit return supply lines 412 (including 412a, 412b), 404 (including 414a, 414b). The power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404 may be configured to receive coolant. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b may be connected to the power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404 and configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply lines 402, 404. The two or more fuel cell systems 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d may be configured to be cooled by the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, respectively. The two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b may be connected to the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b, respectively, and may be configured to receive spent coolant from the two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 406b, 408a, 408b. The power unit return supply lines 412, 414 may be connected to the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b, respectively, and may be configured to receive spent coolant from the two or more fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 416b, 418a, 418b.

[0061] The second fuel cell power plant cooling system may include a second power unit coolant supply line 402b, 404b that may be configured to receive coolant from the power unit coolant supply line 402, 404 (e.g., 402a, 404a). The second fuel cell power plant cooling system may include one or more second power unit return supply lines 412b, 414b that may be configured to receive spent coolant from the fuel cell system return supply lines 416b, 418b. The ends of the second power unit coolant supply lines 402b, 404b may be capped (430). The ends of the second power unit return supply lines 412b, 414b may be capped (430).

[0062] 5A-5B are exemplary exploded views of a fuel cell power plant cooling structure, according to one embodiment. The fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack 502, a fuel cell battery 504, an air pump 506, a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU) 510, a gateway control circuit 514 that may include a main gateway control circuit 516, a management electronic control unit (ECU) 518, and a fuel cell power plant cooling structure. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the fuel cell systems may be placed on a sliding skid 512 to allow the fuel cell systems to be individually slid out for maintenance. The fuel cell power plant cooling system may include two or more slidable fuel cell system skids that may each accommodate two or more fuel cell systems.

[0063] It is further seen that the power supply unit may be configured to be modular and connections for cooling may be located on a platform below the power supply unit. Two of the connections may be power supply unit coolant supply lines 402, 404 and two of the connections may be power supply unit return supply lines 412, 414. The coolant may be, for example, water.

[0064] The power supply unit may be sealed and the power supply unit housing may be resistant to rain, snow, sleet, dust, water spray, and / or corrosive agents. According to one embodiment, the power supply unit housing may be water resistant, for example during flooding. A ventilation system may be provided within the power supply unit and a fan may be utilized. According to one embodiment, the cabin of the power supply unit may be kept at negative pressure, such as by mounting and operating a fan at the top while an air vent is located at the bottom of the power supply unit. The power supply unit may be operated according to a desired dilution specification, a desired low temperature specification, and a desired consumption specification.

[0065] 7 is an example schematic diagram of a fuel system for the fuel cell power plant system 100, according to one embodiment. The fuel system can enable equal flow distribution between the quad unit and the engine via a distributor, can include low-leak connectors, can be formed from stainless steel flex tubes or high-pressure hoses, and can include electrical sensors for pressure sensing. The sensors can provide sensor readings to the fuel cell power plant controller 300 for real-time fault monitoring.

[0066] Figure 8 is an exemplary schematic diagram of engine level cooling of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. Figure 8 shows a high level view of a motor level or engine level embodiment of a heat exchanger for a fuel cell power plant cooling system. The heat exchanger is described in more detail with reference to Figures 9A-9B.

[0067] 9A-9B are exemplary schematic diagrams of quad level cooling for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. As can be seen from FIGS. 9A-9B, one or more heat exchangers 900 can reduce volume and enhance performance by utilizing a two-plate configuration. The heat exchanger 900 can be compact, which reduces the amount of fluid or coolant and reduces start-up time associated with the fuel cell. Additionally, by separating the two or more plates, the clean fluid or coolant remains clean, allowing for the use of other fluids, including pure water, 50 / 50 ethylene glycol, or other media.

[0068] The heat exchanger 900 may be a plate heat exchanger for multi-fuel cell system applications. Associated advantages include isolating the clean coolant loop from the external non-clean coolant loop. Exchange of heat from multiple heat sources to a single heat source (e.g., from a cooling tower, large air cooler, or other process cooling source) may be utilized. In this manner, a reduction in the amount of cooling fluid on the clean coolant or water loop side of the system may be achieved.

[0069] According to one aspect, the heat exchanger 900 of the fuel cell power plant system may include a first loop 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d and a second loop 952a, 952b, 952c, 952d. In the first loop 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d, a first coolant may pass through the fuel cell stack 910a, 910b, 910c, 910d, a thermostat 918a, 918b, 918c, 918d, a first portion of a first plate 920a, 920b, 920c, 920d of the heat exchanger 900, and a fuel cell pump 916a, 916b, 916c, 916d. The first loop 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d may be a clean coolant loop. In the second loop 952a, 952b, 952c, 952d, a second cooling liquid may pass through a second portion of the first plate 920a, 920b, 920c, 920d of the heat exchanger 900. The second cooling liquid may be received from an external source, such as a cooling tower or a cooling truck. The second loop may not be as clean as the first loop in terms of cleanliness of the cooling liquid. The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a fuel cell system cooling liquid supply line 406a that receives the second cooling liquid and a fuel cell system return supply line 416a that returns the used cooling liquid.

[0070] The thermostats 918a, 918b, 918c, 918d can adjust the path of the first loops 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d. For example, if the temperature of the first cooling liquid exceeds a threshold, the first loops 950a, 950b, 950c, 950d can include a first portion of the first plate 920a, 920b, 920c, 920d of the heat exchanger. If the temperature of the first cooling liquid is below the threshold, the first loops can not include the first portion of the first plate 920a, 920b, 920c, 920d of the heat exchanger.

[0071] The heat exchanger of the fuel cell power plant system may include a third loop 960a, 960b, 960c, 960d and a fourth loop 962a, 962b, 962c, 962d. In the third loop 960a, 960b, 960c, 960d, a third coolant may pass through an area associated with a circuit 972a, 972b, 972c, 972d, the fuel cell stack 910a, 910b, 910c, 910d, the expansion tank 974a, 974b, 974c, 974d, and a first portion of the second plate 922a, 922b, 922c, 922d of the heat exchanger. In the fourth loop 962a, 962b, 962c, 962d, the second cooling liquid may pass through a second portion of the second plate 922a, 922b, 922c, 922d of the heat exchanger. The first plate 920a, 920b, 920c, 920d may have a larger size than the second plate 922a, 922b, 922c, 922d of the heat exchanger. The first cooling liquid or the second cooling liquid may be water.

[0072] 10A-10B are exemplary schematic diagrams of plant level cooling for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. A housing 1000 may be provided for the fuel cell power plant cooling system.

[0073] 11A-11D are exemplary schematic diagrams of quad level cooling for a fuel cell power plant cooling system from a bottom view, according to one embodiment. As can be seen, water may be used as the coolant for the fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 408a and / or the fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 418a. Cold water may be supplied via the fuel cell system coolant supply lines 406a, 408a, and hot water may be returned via the fuel cell system return supply lines 416a, 418a.

[0074] 12A-12C are exemplary schematic diagrams of a condensate drain system of a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. The fuel cell power plant cooling system or fuel cell power plant cooling structure may include two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212, which may be connected to a condensate drain line 1210 and may be configured to drain the exhaust from the power unit coolant supply line. As can be seen in FIGs. 12A-12C, the two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212 may be oriented perpendicular to the ground plane, and the condensate drain line 1210 may be connected to the fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212, which may be substantially parallel to the ground plane.

[0075] 13A-13B are exemplary schematic diagrams of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment, where an exhaust outlet is shown at the top of the fuel cell power plant cooling system / structure as fed by fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212.

[0076] 14 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a condensate drain system for a fuel cell power plant cooling system, according to one embodiment. Again, an exhaust vent (e.g., air roof top) is shown at the top of the fuel cell power plant cooling system / structure, as fed by fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212. Condensate may be piped parallel to the ground plane via condensate drain line 1210.

[0077] The fuel cell power plant cooling system or structure may include two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212, which may be connected to a condensate drain line 1210 and may be configured to drain the exhaust from the power unit coolant supply line. The two or more fuel cell system exhaust lines 1202, 1212 may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane. The two or more fuel cell system coolant supply lines may be oriented vertically relative to the ground plane (e.g., horizontal dashed lines as seen in FIG. 14 ).

[0078] 15 is an example flow diagram of a method 1500 for operating a fuel cell power plant, according to one embodiment. The method 1500 for operating a fuel cell power plant may include controlling 1502 an operational mode of the fuel cell power plant to run in an operating mode, a standby mode, or an emergency shutdown mode, monitoring 1504 two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant for fault conditions, alarms, or amounts of energy generated, and enabling 1506 an override operation of corresponding fuel cell systems of the fuel cell power plant.

[0079] Yet another aspect involves a computer readable medium including processor executable instructions configured to implement an aspect of the technology presented herein. An aspect of a computer readable medium or computer readable device contemplated in these ways is illustrated in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, an embodiment 1600 includes a computer readable medium 1608, such as a CD-R, a DVD-R, a flash drive, a platter of a hard disk drive, etc., on which computer readable data 1606 is encoded. This encoded computer readable data 1606, e.g., binary data including a number of zeros and ones as shown in 1606, in turn includes a set of processor executable computer instructions 1604 configured to operate according to one or more of the principles described herein. In this embodiment 1600, the processor executable computer instructions 1604 may be configured to execute a method 1602, such as the method 1500 of FIG. 15. In another aspect, the processor executable computer instructions 1604 may be configured to implement a system, such as the fuel cell power plant system 100 of FIGS. 1-10. Many such computer-readable media can be devised by those skilled in the art that are configured to operate in accordance with the techniques presented herein.

[0080] As used in this application, the terms "component," "module," "system," "interface," etc. are intended to generally refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processing unit, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a controller and the controller may be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and / or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers.

[0081] Moreover, the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof, to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. Of course, many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.

[0082] Figure 17 and the following discussion provide a description of a suitable computing environment for implementing one or more aspects of the approaches described herein. The operating environment of Figure 17 is only one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the operating environment. Exemplary computing devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld devices, laptop devices, mobile devices (such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs)), media players and the like, multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments including any of the above systems or devices, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and the like.

[0083] Generally, aspects are described in the general context of "computer-readable instructions" executed by one or more computing devices. The computer-readable instructions may be distributed via a computer-readable medium, as described below. The computer-readable instructions may be implemented as program modules, such as functions, objects, application programming interfaces (APIs), data structures, etc., that perform one or more tasks or implement one or more abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the computer-readable instructions is combined or distributed as desired in various environments.

[0084] 17 illustrates a system 1700 including a computing device 1712 configured to implement an aspect provided herein. In one configuration, the computing device 1712 includes at least one processing unit 1716 and memory 1718. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, the memory 1718 may be volatile (such as RAM) and / or non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination of the two. This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 17 by dashed line 1714.

[0085] In other aspects, the computing device 1712 includes additional features or functionality. For example, the computing device 1712 may include additional storage, such as removable or non-removable storage, including but not limited to magnetic storage, optical storage, and the like. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 17 by storage 1720. In one aspect, computer readable instructions for implementing an aspect provided herein are located in storage 1720. Storage 1720 can store other computer readable instructions for implementing an operating system, application programs, and the like. The computer readable instructions may be loaded into memory 1718, for example, for execution by at least one processing unit 1716.

[0086] The term "computer readable medium" as used herein includes computer storage media. Computer storage media includes volatile, non-volatile, removable, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer readable instructions or other data. Memory 1718 and storage 1720 are examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and that can be accessed by the computing device 1712. Any such computer storage media is part of the computing device 1712.

[0087] The term "computer-readable media" includes communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions or other data in a "modulated data signal" such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" includes a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.

[0088] The computing device 1712 includes input device(s) 1724, such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared camera, video input device, or any other input device. Output device(s) 1722, such as one or more displays, speakers, printers, or any other output device, may be included with the computing device 1712. The input device(s) 1724 and the output device(s) 1722 may be connected to the computing device 1712 by wired connections, wireless connections, or any combination thereof. In an aspect, an input device or an output device of another computing device may be used as the input device(s) 1724 or output device(s) 1722 of the computing device 1712. The computing device 1712 may include communication connection(s) 1726 to facilitate communication with one or more other devices 1730, such as over a network 1728, for example.

[0089] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it will be understood that the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example embodiments.

[0090] Various operations of the aspects are provided herein. The order in which one or more or all of the operations are described should not be construed to mean that the operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative orders will be recognized based on this description. Furthermore, all operations may not necessarily be present in each aspect provided herein.

[0091] As used in this application, "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." Furthermore, an inclusive "or" may include any combination thereof (e.g., A, B, or any combination thereof). Furthermore, as used in this application, "a" and "an" are generally interpreted to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or unless the context clearly indicates a singular reference. Furthermore, at least one of A and B, etc. generally means A or B, or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extent that "includes," "having," "has," "with," or variations thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as the term "comprising."

[0092] Additionally, unless otherwise specified, "first" or "second" and the like are not intended to imply temporal aspects, spatial aspects, order, and the like. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, and the like for features, elements, items, and the like. For example, a first channel and a second channel generally correspond to channel A and channel B, or two different channels, or two of the same or identical channels. Additionally, "comprising," "comprises," "including," or "includes," and the like generally mean to comprise or include, but are not limited to such.

[0093] It will be recognized that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or variations thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications, and various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements thereof may subsequently occur to those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A fuel cell power plant system, comprising: Two or more electrically connected power supply units, each of the two or more power supply units including two or more fuel cell systems; a fuel cell power plant controller electrically connected to the two or more power supply units; the fuel cell power plant controller comprises: a user control circuit that controls the operation mode of the fuel cell power plant system so that the system is executed in an operation mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode; a monitoring circuit that monitors the two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy produced; Including, Fuel cell power plant system.

2. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said fuel cell systems are used in applications other than vehicular fuel cells.

3. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems is a hydrogen fuel cell system.

4. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems includes a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU).

5. 10. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1, including two or more platforms for the two or more power units, with one or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines extending through the two or more platforms to supply cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units.

6. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1 , wherein one of the two or more fuel cell systems includes a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system.

7. 10. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1, wherein a first fuel cell system of the two or more fuel cell systems includes a main gateway control circuit that monitors a water temperature, a fuel leak sensor, or a smoke sensor associated with a corresponding power unit.

8. 10. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1, wherein each of said two or more fuel cell systems includes a supervisory electronic control unit (ECU) that issues commands to said corresponding fuel cell system.

9. 9. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 8, wherein the command is a vehicle stability management (VSM) override operation or an immobilizer override operation.

10. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 1 , wherein the two or more power supply units output power to a grid inverter.

11. 1. A fuel cell power plant controller, comprising: a user control circuit that controls the operation mode of the fuel cell power plant system to be executed in an operation mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode; a monitoring circuit that monitors the two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy produced; Including, the two or more power supply units are electrically connected; the two or more power supply units are electrically connected to the fuel cell power plant controller; each of the two or more power supply units includes two or more fuel cell systems; Fuel cell power plant controller.

12. The fuel cell power plant controller of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems are used in applications other than vehicular fuel cells.

13. The fuel cell power plant controller of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems is a hydrogen fuel cell system.

14. The fuel cell power plant controller of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems includes a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU).

15. 12. The fuel cell power plant controller of claim 11, including two or more platforms for the two or more power units, with one or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines extending through the two or more platforms to supply cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units.

16. The fuel cell power plant controller of claim 11 , wherein one of the two or more fuel cell systems includes a gateway control circuit that controls an engine high voltage (EHV) associated with the corresponding fuel cell system.

17. 1. A fuel cell power plant system, comprising: Two or more electrically connected power supply units, each of the two or more power supply units includes two or more fuel cell systems used for purposes other than a vehicle fuel cell; a fuel cell power plant controller electrically connected to the two or more power supply units; the fuel cell power plant controller comprises: a user control circuit that controls the operation mode of the fuel cell power plant system so that the system is executed in an operation mode, a standby mode, a maintenance mode, or an emergency shutdown mode; a monitoring circuit that monitors the two or more power units of the fuel cell power plant system for one or more fault conditions, one or more alarms, or an amount of energy produced; Including, Fuel cell power plant system.

18. 20. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 17, wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems is a hydrogen fuel cell system.

19. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 17, wherein one or more of the fuel cell systems includes a fuel cell stack, a battery, an air pump, a DC-DC converter, and a fuel cell voltage converter unit (FCVCU).

20. 20. The fuel cell power plant system of claim 17, including two or more platforms for the two or more power units, with one or more cooling lines, one or more electrical connections, and one or more fuel lines extending through the two or more platforms to provide cooling, electrical connections, and fuel to the two or more power units.

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