Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) topology is becoming one of the most reliable and promising alternative resource of energy for a wide range of applications. However, efficiency improvement and lifespan extension are needed to overcome the limited market of fuel cell technologies. In this paper, an efficient approach based on a super-twising algorithm (STA) is proposed for the PEMFC system. The control objective is to lengthen the fuel cell lifetime by improving its power quality, as well as to keep the system operating at an optimal and efficient power point. The algorithm adjusts the PEMFC operating point to the optimum power by tuning the duty cycle of the boost converter. The closed-loop system includes the Heliocentris hy-ExpertTM PEMFC, DC–DC boost converter, DSPACE DS1104, dedicated PC, and a programmable electronic load. The practical implementation of the proposed STA on a hardware setup is performed using a dSPACE real-time digital control platform. The data acquisition and the control system are conducted together with the dSPACE 1104 controller board. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm, experimental results are compared with 1-order sliding mode control (SMC) under different load resistance. The obtained results demonstrate the validity of the proposed control scheme by ensuring at least 72% of the maximum power produced by PEMFC. In addition, it is proven that the STA ensures all the fundamental properties of the 1-order SMC, as well as providing chattering reduction of 91%, which will ameliorate as a consequence the fuel cell lifetime.
Highlights
At present, the entire world is becoming aware of the problems derived from traditional energies such as fossil fuels and non-renewable energies which have destructive environmental impacts
The main aim of this work is to validate the performance of the super-twising algorithm (STA) applied to a DC–DC boost converter in order to keep the Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operating at an efficient power point
The characteristics of Heliocentris hy-ExpertTM PEMFC 50 Instructor system are obtained by connecting the PEMFC stack directly to the load
Summary
The entire world is becoming aware of the problems derived from traditional energies such as fossil fuels and non-renewable energies which have destructive environmental impacts. The ever-increasing energy demand and rising crude oil prices, as well as predictable expiration of fossil fuels reserves, have caused high ambitions toward renewable and sustainable energy resources. In this context, renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar are considered as suitable and viable alternative options to generate electrical power [1,2,3,4,5]. The wind energy is only available when the wind blows
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