TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Operating the fuel cell system further comprises determining an operational configuration for the fuel cell system such that the fuel cell system maintains an operating temperature during the load interruption. Determining the operational configuration includes determining a number of fuel cell columns that are to operate in the normal power generation operating mode during the load interruption. Determining the operational configuration includes determining a number of fuel cell columns that are to be operated in the electrolysis mode. The number of fuel cell columns that are to be operated in the electrolysis mode is determined based in part on likelihood that coking will occur in the fuel cell system. The operational configuration includes a predetermined amount of steam to provide to the first fuel cell column. The method further comprises placing a third fuel cell column of the fuel cell system into a pumping mode during the load interruption. The pumping mode comprises an oxygen pumping mode. It also comprises a virtual hydrogen pumping mode. The method further comprises providing steam to the first fuel cell column through an anode feed of the first fuel cell column when the first fuel cell column operates in the electrolysis mode. It further comprises providing the steam without providing hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel to the first fuel cell column when the first fuel cell column operates in the electrolysis mode. It also comprises providing the hydrogen or the hydrocarbon fuel to the first fuel cell column when the first fuel cell column operates in the normal power generation mode. The method also comprises using anode exhaust recycling to provide a portion of the fuel generated by the first fuel cell column to the second fuel cell column. The power from the second fuel cell column is provided to the first fuel cell column through a split bus by way of a bi-directional direct current (DC)/DC converter in electrical communication with the first fuel cell column and with the split bus. The method further comprises using the bi-directional DC/DC converter to control a voltage or a current of the first fuel cell column. The method further comprises: (i) determining that the external load is not experiencing the load interruption; and (ii) in response to a determination that the external load is not experiencing the load interruption, operating the first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system in the normal power generation operating mode such that the first fuel cell provides power to the split bus by way of the bi-directional DC/DC converter. The second fuel cell column provides the power to a split bus by way of a unidirectional DC/DC converter in electrical communication with the second fuel cell column and the split bus. Operating the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode includes directly connecting an electrical output of the first fuel cell column to the second fuel cell column. The method further comprises providing power to an internal load of the fuel cell system from a third fuel cell column of the fuel cell system, where the third fuel cell column is operating in the normal power generation operating mode. It further comprises matching heat generated by fuel cell columns of the fuel cell system such that a temperature of the fuel cell columns is substantially constant. Operating the fuel cell system during a fuel supply interruption comprises: (a) identifying a fuel interruption in which an external fuel source is partially or fully unable to provide external fuel to the fuel cell system; (b) providing stored fuel to a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system such that the first fuel cell column operates in a normal power generation operating mode; (c) operating a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the second fuel cell column generates fuel during the fuel interruption; and (d) providing power to the second fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from the first fuel cell column operating in the normal power generation operating mode. The external fuel source comprises a natural gas pipeline and the stored fuel comprises a fuel stored in a vessel. The method further comprises providing a portion of the fuel generated by the second fuel cell column to the first fuel cell column. Preferred Fuel Cell System: The power control system is also configured to block a fuel feed to the first fuel cell column and to provide steam to the first fuel cell column during operation of the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode. It is further configured to use a third fuel cell column of the fuel cell columns to power an internal load of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system further comprises a bi-directional converter in electrical communication with the first fuel cell column and with a split bus, where the power from the second fuel cell column is provided to the first fuel cell column through the split bus by way of the bi-directional DC/DC converter. The power control system is further configured to place a third fuel cell column of the fuel cell columns into a pumping mode during the load interruption.