Fuel cell device and method of monitoring and structurally adapting a fuel cell device

A method for monitoring and structurally adapting a fuel cell device including a mounting plate, and a first fuel cell unit having a predefined number of fuel cells, the first fuel cell unit arranged on the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate and the first fuel cell unit include first media connections for guiding media and first electrical contact points for electrically connecting the first fuel cell unit to the mounting plate, and wherein second media connections and second electrical contact points are designed or arranged on the first fuel cell unit in such a way that the first fuel cell unit can be connected or is connected to a second fuel cell unit in a mechanical fluid connection for further guidance of the media and electrical connection for power uptake, the method comprising:

• detecting one or more operating parameters of the fuel cell device by a control device;
• recording and evaluating a chronological course of the one or more operating parameters;
• if the evaluating shows that a power output of the fuel cell device is too limited, then expanding the fuel cell device by one or more fuel cell units;
• and
• if the evaluating shows that the power output of the fuel cell device is too large, then reducing the fuel cell device by one or more fuel cell units.