PV and Fuel Cell with Battery DC Microgrid System

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a hybrid PV–Fuel Cell–Battery based DC microgrid system for reliable renewable energy generation. The proposed system integrates a photovoltaic (PV) source, fuel cell unit, and battery energy storage to ensure continuous power supply under varying operating conditions. Initially, the system is modelled and analysed using MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate power sharing and voltage stability of the DC bus. To validate the simulation results, a small-scale hardware prototype is developed using a solar panel, fuel cell module, battery, DC–DC converters, and a microcontroller. The results demonstrate improved voltage regulation, efficient energy utilization, and enhanced reliability, making the system suitable for renewable energy based microgrid applications.

Introduction

The text describes the design and simulation of a hybrid DC microgrid integrating a Photovoltaic (PV) array, Fuel Cell stack, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) using MATLAB/Simulink. This system addresses limitations of conventional AC-based renewable systems, such as conversion losses, voltage instability, and lack of energy storage, by providing a stable DC bus with efficient power flow. Each energy source is connected via DC-DC converters, and a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller optimizes PV output under varying irradiance and temperature.

The hybrid DC microgrid operates in both grid-connected and islanded modes, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and efficient load sharing. The fuel cell serves as a stable secondary source, while the battery balances supply-demand fluctuations. The system is designed for applications such as smart homes, electric vehicle charging, and off-grid power systems, combining renewable energy, intelligent control, and energy storage to enhance reliability, power quality, and overall energy efficiency.

Conclusion

This work presented the design and analysis of a PV–Fuel Cell–Battery based DC microgrid system for reliable renewable energy utilization. The proposed hybrid configuration combines solar photovoltaic generation, a hydrogen fuel cell source, and a battery storage unit to ensure continuous and stable power supply under varying operating conditions. Initially, the system was modelled and analysed using MATLAB/Simulink, which demonstrated effective power sharing between the renewable sources and the storage unit. The simulation results confirmed improved voltage regulation, efficient energy utilization, and stable operation of the DC microgrid under dynamic load variations. To further validate the feasibility of the proposed concept, a small-scale hardware prototype was developed. The prototype integrates a solar panel, fuel cell module, battery storage, DC–DC converters, and a microcontroller-based control system to supply power to a DC load. The hardware setup successfully demonstrates the practical implementation of hybrid energy management in a DC microgrid environment. The combined simulation and hardware results indicate that the proposed system can effectively enhance the reliability and sustainability of renewable energy-based microgrids. Such hybrid microgrid configurations are particularly suitable for remote locations, distributed energy systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and future smart grid applications.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. R. Arulmurugan, Dhanushmitha P, Harini N, Madhumitha A, Nisha B. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.