An Optimal Reference Governor with a Neural Network Combined Model for Hybrid Fuel-Cell/Gas-Turbine

This paper introduces a concept of real-time optimization of hybrid fuel-cell power plants as an alternative distributed generation source that improves the power quality and reliability of the power grid. One of the most important issues of plant operation is the optimal control of the power plant, leading to significant economic and environmental benefits. As a commercialized fuel cell technology, Direct Fuel-Cell with Gas-Turbine (DFC/T) power plant is investigated in this paper. A framework of an optimal reference governor (ORG) is developed to generate optimal control strategies for the local controllers. For the purpose of on-line application, a neural network combined model is built as a state estimator that approximates the plant behaviors, which is compatible with population based real-time heuristic optimization algorithms. The simulation of the optimization result is presented and validated by a comparison with experimental data and simulation result of a mathematical plant model.