A system controller drives a gas circulator with a purge valve closed to
supply hydrogen to a fuel cell stack and then increases anode operating
pressure and cathode operating pressure to target operating pressures
after a predetermined condition is satisfied. This allows an amount of
gas mixture of remaining oxygen and hydrogen to be suppressed compared to
the case of increasing the anode operating pressure in a state where
oxygen remains in the anode circulation path. Accordingly, it is possible
to suppress local generation of electric potential and heat and prevent
degradation of the components of the fuel cell stack. Moreover, hydrogen
is not discharged during activation, which eliminates the need to include
dilution equipment of combustion equipment for treating hydrogen and
increases the degree of freedom in the layout of the fuel cell system.