NOVELTY - A fuel cell power plant comprises a fuel cell(s), a coolant system and a fuel cell start-up system.    USE - The invention is used to produce electrical energy from a reducing fluid and process an oxidant reactant stream to power an electrical apparatus, e.g. apparatus on-board space vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The invention does not sustain mechanical damage resulting from freezing and may be quickly started up without the need to melt water.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A fuel cell power plant with a reduced free water volume comprises:    (1) a fuel cell(s) for generating electrical current from reducing fluid and process oxidant reactant streams;    (2) a coolant system including a sealed cooler plate secured in a heat exchange relationship with the fuel cell which directs an antifreeze coolant through the cooler plate, a coolant accumulator in fluid communication with the cooler plate that stores the antifreeze coolant and a coolant circulating line that directs the antifreeze to flow from the coolant accumulator through a coolant heat exchanger, through the cooler plate and back to the coolant accumulator;    (3) a fuel cell water collector in fluid communication between the fuel cell and the coolant system that directs water from the fuel cell to the coolant system;    (4) a water vapor transfer system secured in fluid communication with the coolant accumulator which receives the antifreeze coolant accumulator and transfers water vapor out of the coolant antifreeze; and    (5) a fuel cell start-up system, secured in fluid communication with the coolant accumulator and with the fuel cell including a start-up heat exchanger which heats the antifreeze coolant. The heated antifreeze coolant is selectively directed from the start-up heat exchanger through the sealed cooler plate to heat the fuel cell.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method of operating the fuel cell power plant.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows the fuel cell power plant.