Methods and systems for elevating a temperature within a fuel cell

A method for elevating a temperature within a fuel cell (401) having a cathode (101), an electrolyte (102) and an anode (103), includes, prior to the electrolyte (102) reaching a minimum temperature at which oxygen ions (111) cross the electrolyte (102), conducting an exothermic reaction at the cathode (101) or the anode (103) to elevate the temperature within the fuel cell (401).