System for controlling temperature in a fuel cell

A fuel cell system comprising:

• a planar fuel cell having an anode side, a cathode side, and a lateral edge;
• a heat transport means in direct thermal communication with the lateral edge of the planar fuel cell, wherein the heat transport means does not contact either the anode side or the cathode side of the planar fuel cell;
• a heat dissipation device in direct thermal communication with the heat transport means;
• and
• a heat removal means configured to remove heat from the heat dissipation device.

A method of producing power, the method comprising:

• providing a fuel cell system that includes
• a planar fuel cell array,
• a heat transport means in direct thermal communication with the planar fuel cell array,
• a heat dissipation device in direct thermal communication with the heat transport means and indirect thermal communication with the planar fuel cell array, and
• a heat removal device in indirect thermal communication with the planar fuel cell array and the heat transport means and configured to remove heat from the heat dissipation device, wherein the fuel cell system is at an initial temperature of 5° C. or less;
• contacting the planar fuel cell array with a fuel to produce heat and electricity until the planar fuel cell array reaches a desired operating temperature, wherein the desired operating temperature is greater than 45° C. and the heat removal device is not activated while the planar fuel cell array is below the desired operating temperature;
• removing the heat from the heat dissipation device by activating the heat removal device if the planar fuel cell array exceeds the desired operating temperature.