Fuel cell power generating system

Abstract

A fuel cell power generating system comprising a central hydrogen-generating plant, a plurality of fuel cell power generating units installed respectively at the sites of power demand for on-site power generation, and piping comprising a main pipe connected to the hydrogen-generating plant, branch pipes connecting the fuel cell power generating units to the main pipe, and valves for regulating the pressure and flow rate of hydrogen gas according to the operating condition of the fuel cell power generating units. The fuel cell power generating units are operated according to power demand, and the surplus hydrogen gas is stored in the piping at an elevated pressure to supplement the capacity of the hydrogen-generating plant when the hydrogen gas demand of the fuel cell power generating units exceeds the capacity of the hydrogen-generating plant. The hydrogen-generating plant is able to operate continuously in the steady state for efficient hydrogen gas generation, while the operation of the fuel cell power generating units is controlled according to power demand.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.