Startup power control in a fuel cell system

An apparatus comprising:

• a fuel cell system;
• a rectifier configured to
• receive a first electrical signal from an alternative power source, wherein the first electrical signal is an alternating current (AC) signal;
• convert the first electrical signal into a direct current (DC) signal;
• and
• provide the DC signal to a balance of plant (BOP) load, wherein the BOP load is in electrical communication with the fuel cell system;
• and
• a controller configured to
• determine whether a startup threshold of the fuel cell system is met;
• if the startup threshold is met, provide a second electrical signal from the fuel cell system to the BOP load, wherein a combination of the DC signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to a load demand of the BOP load;
• and
• increase a value of the second electrical signal and reduce a value of the first electrical signal until the load demand of the BOP load is met by the fuel cell system.

A system for starting up a fuel cell arrangement, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a first electrical signal from an alternative power source and for providing at least a portion of the first electrical signal to a balance of plant (BOP) load, wherein the BOP load is in electrical communication with a fuel cell system;
• means for providing a second electrical signal from the fuel cell system to the BOP load if a startup threshold of the fuel cell system is met, wherein a combination of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to a load demand of the BOP load;
• and
• means for increasing a value of the second electrical signal and for reducing a value of the first electrical signal until the load demand of the BOP load is met by the fuel cell system.