Introduction of a fast auxiliary power source and a decrease in the transient regulation of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell are possible methods for improving system dynamic respond to transient load changes. A control strategy for a fuel cell system has been developed that insulates the output current of the PEM fuel cell from the transient load change at high frequency, and improves system dynamics by coordinating the overall system. In addition, a predictive control algorithm is adopted to decrease the influence of output voltage from the stack on the subsequent components. The tests using a 1 kW PEM fuel cell/battery test bench validate the effectiveness of the developed strategy. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.