Stability Analysis of Multiple Sources DC Network in Fuel Cell Powered Electric Aircraft

The fuel cell-powered electric aircraft is a promising architecture in the electrification of aviation. Fuel cells, as the primary energy source, supply the thrust power to the dynamic change constant power load. Energy storage systems maintain the power balance in the system and regulate the DC link voltage. In this paper, the simplified multiple sources DC network is modeled. The equivalent model allows the performance of a nonlinear stability analysis to predict the system dynamic characteristics during load perturbations. Furthermore, a stability boundary is derived from the Jacobian matrix and eigenvalues of the system. Sensitivity analysis of key parameters, such as droop settings, DC capacitance and line inductance is presented based on bifurcation theory. The theoretical analysis is instrumental in the design of a reliable on-board DC network. The key findings are validated by simulations and experimental tests.