A fuel cell generation system employing a load following algorithm that provides
the desired output power from the fuel cell on demand. The system includes a draw
current sensor that measures the current drawn from the fuel cell used to satisfy
the system load demands. The load following algorithm uses the measured draw current
to identify the proper amount of fuel and air to meet the load demands, and then
provides a buffer of extra fuel and air to the fuel cell so if the load demand
suddenly increases, the fuel cell is able to immediately produce the extra output
power. As the current drawn from the fuel cell changes in response to changing
load demands, the load following algorithm causes the amount of fuel and air being
applied to the fuel cell stack to increase and decrease so that the buffer of extra
fuel and air is maintained substantially constant.