Application status of variable-frequency drive in hydrogen fuel cell air compressors from an industrial viewpoint: A review

As an essential accessory of hydrogen fuel cells (HFC), air compressors have the problem of high energy consumption and high cost, which hinders the further development of HFC. Recently, the industry has adopted variable-frequency drive (VFD) to control the operation of HFC air compressors, and the energy-saving effect is remarkable. However, existing research mostly discusses related technologies academically and lacks data review on actual industrial applications, hindering industry standardization and maturity. Therefore, it is meaningful to summarize the current status of the HFC air compressor dedicated VFD industry chain. From the perspective of industrial application, this paper summarizes the current industrial product status of dedicated VFDs, HFC, air compressors, and motors. The purpose of this paper is to provide a useful reference guide for relevant researchers of HFCs and VFDs.