Fuel cell load cycling to support the electric grid

A fuel cell system comprising:

• a first plurality of fuel cell units configured to provide electrical power to a varying electrical load, the amount of electrical power varying as a function of an operational parameter of the first plurality of fuel cell units, wherein each of the first plurality of fuel cell units includes a fuel cell stack;
• a second plurality of fuel cell units configured to provide electrical power to the varying electrical load, the amount of electrical power varying as a function of an operational parameter of the second plurality of fuel cell units, wherein each of the second plurality of fuel cell units includes a fuel cell stack, and wherein each fuel cell stack in the first plurality of fuel cell units and the second plurality of fuel cell units has a maximum rated power output;
• and
• a fuel cell controller communicatively coupled to the first plurality of fuel cell units and the second plurality of fuel cell units, the fuel cell controller configured to:
• operate each fuel cell stack of the first plurality of fuel cell units with the operational parameter having a first value as a default such that each fuel cell stack in the first plurality of fuel cell units produces the respective maximum rated power output in a default operating condition;
• and
• receive an indication, from a load sensor in communication with the fuel cell controller and operatively coupled to the varying electrical load, that the varying electrical load is at a local maximum within a predetermined period;
• in response to the indication that the varying electrical load is at the local maximum, operate each of the fuel cell stacks in the second plurality of fuel cell units with the operational parameter having values such that the fuel cell stacks of the second plurality of fuel cell units produce limited maximum amounts of electrical power that are cell units each produce a limited maximum amount of electrical power that is a predetermined percentage of the respective maximum rated power output;
• receive a first indication, from the load sensor, that the varying electrical load has reduced from the local maximum;
• and
• in response to receiving the first indication that the varying electrical load has reduced from the local maximum, adjust the operational parameter for a fuel cell stack in the second plurality of fuel cell units such that the fuel cell stack continues to produce electrical power at an amount above a minimum value and below the limited maximum amount of electrical power;
• wherein each limited maximum amount of electrical power is determined by the thermo-neutral load point of the respective fuel cell stack.