EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DYNAMIC RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS OF PEMWE BASED ON FLUCTUATING POWER SUPPLY

Zeng Qinghui; Yang Xiaohong; Liu Zhitong; Ji Feng; Yuan Fanhang; Jin Yuan

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2389

PDF(3335 KB)

Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5) : 579-587. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2389

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DYNAMIC RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS OF PEMWE BASED ON FLUCTUATING POWER SUPPLY

Zeng Qinghui¹, Yang Xiaohong^1~3, Liu Zhitong¹, Ji Feng¹, Yuan Fanhang¹, Jin Yuan¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

In this study, an experimental PEMWE system was developed to systematically investigate four representative dynamic operating conditions： start-up, shut-down, step-loading, and unloading. Particular attention was given to the effects of inlet water temperature and inlet water flow rate on voltage response, temperature evolution, and energy efficiency under these transient conditions. The results indicate that during the loading process, both the cell voltage and outlet water temperature exhibit pronounced overshoot behavior in response to rapid current changes. Increasing the loading current intensifies these fluctuations. In contrast, reducing the inlet water flow rate and increasing the inlet water temperature effectively mitigate voltage, temperature, and energy efficiency fluctuations. The test electrolyzer demonstrates the smallest dynamic deviations at an inlet water temperature of 80 ℃, a flow rate of 60 mL/min, and a loading current of 2 A. For stable operation of small-scale （hundred-watt-level） PEMWE under dynamic power input, it is recommended to minimize abrupt current variations, increase the inlet water temperature, and appropriately reduce the water flow rate.

Key words

hydrogen production / dynamic response / electrochemistry / energy efficiency / temperature / proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Zeng Qinghui, Yang Xiaohong, Liu Zhitong, Ji Feng, Yuan Fanhang, Jin Yuan. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DYNAMIC RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS OF PEMWE BASED ON FLUCTUATING POWER SUPPLY[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(5): 579-587 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2389

References

[1] 李丽旻, 我国可再生能源支撑力量稳步提升[N]. 中国能源报, 2026-04-13(1).
LI L W. The supporting force of renewable energy in our country has steadily increased[N].China Energy News, April 13, 2026(1).
[2] CHO H H, STREZOV V, EVANS T J.A review on global warming potential, challenges and opportunities of renewable hydrogen production technologies[J]. Sustainable materials and technologies, 2023, 35: e00567.
[3] 丁历威, 彭笑东, 侯继彪, 等. 风光波动电源下质子交换膜电解水制氢技术发展与应用[J]. 中国工程科学, 2023, 25(6): 237-247.
DING L W, PENG X D, HOU J B, et al.Hydrogen production by proton exchange membrane water electrolysis in the presence of wind-solar fluctuating power supply: development and application[J]. Strategic study of CAE, 2023, 25(6): 237-247.
[4] 张正, 宋凌珺. 电解水制氢技术: 进展、挑战与未来展望[J]. 工程科学学报, 2025, 47(2): 282-295.
ZHANG Z, SONG L J.Hydrogen production by water electrolysis: advances, challenges and future prospects[J]. Chinese journal of engineering, 2025, 47(2): 282-295.
[5] SUN M J, ZHANG Y M, LIU L Y, et al.Dynamic performance analysis of hydrogen production and hot standby dual-mode system via proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and phase change material-based heat storage[J]. Applied energy, 2025, 377: 124636.
[6] 施正荣, 翁楚, 蔡靖雍, 等. 基于PV/T的质子交换膜电解制氢系统动态性能研究[J]. 太阳能学报, 2023, 44(8): 164-170.
SHI Z R, WENG C, CAI J Y, et al.Study on dynamic performance of PV/T based on proton exchange membrane water electrolysis system[J]. Acta energiae solaris sinica, 2023, 44(8): 164-170.
[7] 刘柯壮. 光伏发电直接耦合PEM电解水制氢系统性能研究[D]. 西安: 西安理工大学, 2023.
LIU K Z.Research on the performance of direct coupling PEM electrolytic water hydrogen production system for photovoltaic power generation[D]. Xi'an: Xi'an University of Technology, 2023.
[8] 舒展宏, 陈蕊, 宋浩, 等. 质子交换膜电解池二维两相流综合模拟研究[J]. 太阳能学报, 2023, 44(11): 450-458.
SHU Z H, CHEN R, SONG H, et al.Two-dimensional comprehensive simulation study of two-phase flow in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cell[J]. Acta energiae solaris sinica, 2023, 44(11): 450-458.
[9] WANG W T, LI J, DING L, et al.3D multiphysics modeling for probing the non-homogenous parameter distribution in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells[J]. Energy conversion and management, 2025, 324: 119222.
[10] HE D D, CHEN K, CHEN W S, et al.Numerical study on dynamic response characteristics of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer under transient loading[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2024, 93: 845-865.
[11] SAYED-AHMED H, TOLDY Á I, SANTASALO-AARNIO A.Dynamic operation of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers: critical review[J]. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 2024, 189: 113883.
[12] ZHANG X Y, WANG B W, XU Y F, et al.Effects of different loading strategies on the dynamic response and multi-physics fields distribution of PEMEC stack[J]. Fuel, 2023, 332: 126090.
[13] ZHAO D Q, HE Q J, YU J, et al.Dynamic behaviour and control strategy of high temperature proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (HT-PEMECs) for hydrogen production[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2020, 45(51): 26613-26622.
[14] GUILBERT D, ZASADZINSKI M, RAFARALAHY H, et al.Modeling of the dynamic behavior of a PEM electrolyzer[C]//2022 10th International Conference on Systems and Control (ICSC). Marseille, France, 2023: 78-84.
[15] HE M Z, NIE G Z, YANG H R, et al.A generic equivalent circuit model for PEM electrolyzer with multi-timescale and stages under multi-mode control[J]. Applied energy, 2024, 359: 122728.
[16] CHEN Z C, YIN L K, WANG Z M, et al.Numerical simulation of parameter change in a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell based on a dynamic model[J]. International journal of energy research, 2022, 46(15): 24074-24090.
[17] DANG J, YANG F Y, LI Y Y, et al.Transient behaviors and mathematical model of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer[J]. Journal of power sources, 2022, 542: 231757.
[18] HERNÁNDEZ-GÓMEZ Á, RAMIREZ V, GUILBERT D, et al. Development of an adaptive static-dynamic electrical model based on input electrical energy for PEM water electrolysis[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2020, 45(38): 18817-18830.
[19] HERNÁNDEZ-GÓMEZ Á, RAMIREZ V, GUILBERT D, et al. Cell voltage static-dynamic modeling of a PEM electrolyzer based on adaptive parameters: development and experimental validation[J]. Renewable energy, 2021, 163: 1508-1522.
[20] MAYA J C, CHEJNE F, GÓMEZ C A, et al. Analysys of the performance a PEM-type electrolyzer in variable energy supply conditions[J]. Chemical engineering research and design, 2023, 196: 526-541.
[21] GONG J D, SUN C, SHI H G, et al.Response behaviour of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis to hydrogen production under dynamic conditions[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2023, 48(79): 30642-30652.
[22] WANG K C, FENG Y C, XIAO F, et al.operando analysis of through-plane interlayer temperatures in the PEM electrolyzer cell under various operating conditions[J]. Applied energy, 2023, 348: 121588.
[23] WANG K C, XU C, XIAO F, et al.operando analysis of in-plane heterogeneity for the PEM electrolyzer cell: mappings of temperature and current density[J]. Journal of cleaner production, 2024, 436: 140586.
[24] IMMERZ C, BENSMANN B, TRINKE P, et al.Understanding electrical under-and overshoots in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis cells[J]. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2019, 166(15): F1200-F1208.
[25] RAULS E, HEHEMANN M, KELLER R, et al.Favorable start-up behavior of polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers[J]. Applied energy, 2023, 330: 120350.
[26] ZHANG T Y, WANG K C, XIAO F, et al.Measurement and simulation of voltage differences under ribs and channels and temperature variations within channels in PEMEC[J]. Renewable energy, 2024, 223: 119949.
[27] SHAHRIL A A D, MASDAR M S, MAJLAN E H, et al. A review on mode conversion: dynamic response of unitised regenerative proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2024, 50: 91-103.
[28] CHEN W S, MENG K, ZHOU H R, et al.Water-gas two-phase transport behavior and purge strategy optimization during mode-switching of unitized regenerative proton exchange membrane fuel cell[J]. Energy conversion and management, 2023, 298: 117749.
[29] ZHANG K X, LIANG X, WANG L N, et al.Status and perspectives of key materials for PEM electrolyzer[J]. Nano research energy, 2022, 1: e9120032.
[30] HASSAN A H, WANG X Y, LIAO Z R, et al.Numerical investigation on the effects of design parameters and operating conditions on the electrochemical performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis[J]. Journal of thermal science, 2023, 32(6): 1989-2007.
[31] ZHANG T Y, CAO Y P, ZHANG Y P, et al.Relationship of local current and two-phase flow in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells[J]. Journal of power sources, 2022, 542: 231742.
[32] SU X, XU L J, HU B.Simulation of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer: influence of bubble covering[J]. International journal of hydrogen energy, 2022, 47(46): 20027-20039.
[33] XU B S, YANG Y, LI J, et al.Computational assessment of response to fluctuating load of renewable energy in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer[J]. Renewable energy, 2024, 232: 121084.
[34] DING X F, CHEN S Z, WANG L J, et al.Study on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cell voltage composition of a PEM SO₂-depolarized electrolyzer using graphite felt as diffusion layer[J]. Electrochimica acta, 2022, 426: 140837.