A linear quadratic regulator control of a stand-alone PEM fuel cell power plant

This paper introduces a technique based on linear quadratic regulator (LQR) to control the output voltage at the load point versus load variation from a standalone proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant (FCPP) for a group housing use. The controller modifies the optimal gains k _i by minimizing a cost function, and the phase angle of the AC output voltage to control the active and reactive power output from an FCPP to match the terminal load. The control actions are based on feedback signals from the terminal load, output voltage and fuel cell feedback current. The topology chosen for the simulation consists of a 45 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), boost type DC/DC converter, a three-phase DC/AC inverter followed by an LC filter. Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy operated at low commutation frequency (2 kHz) offers good performances versus load variations with low total harmonic distortions (THD), which is very useful for high power applications.     

A suitable model plant for control of the set fuel cell−DC/DC converter

In this work a state and transfer function model of the set made up of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and a DC/DC converter is developed. The set is modelled as a plant controlled by the converter duty cycle. In addition to allow setting the plant operating point at any point of its characteristic curve (two interesting points are maximum efficiency and maximum power points), this approach also allows the connection of the fuel cell to other energy generation and storage devices, given that, as they all usually share a single DC bus, a thorough control of the interconnected devices is required. First, the state and transfer function models of the fuel cell and the converter are obtained. Then, both models are related in order to achieve the fuel cell+DC/DC converter set (plant) model. The results of the theoretical developments are validated by simulation on a real fuel cell model.     

Power switch failures tolerance and remedial strategies of a 4-leg floating interleaved DC/DC boost converter for photovoltaic/fuel cell applications

In recent years, many researchers have proposed new DC/DC converters in order to meet the fuel cell requirements. The reliability of these DC/DC converters is crucial in order to guarantee the availability of fuel cell systems. In these converters, power switches ranked the most fragile components. In order to enhance the reliability of DC/DC converters, fuel cell systems have to include fault-tolerant topologies. Usually, dynamic redundancy is employed to make a fault-tolerant converter. Despite this kind of converter allows ensuring a continuity of service in case of faults, the use of dynamic redundancy gets back to increase the complexity of the converter. In order to cope with reliability expectations in DC/DC converters, floating interleaved boost converters seem to be the best solution. Indeed, they have much to offer for fuel cells and DC renewable energy sources (i.e. photovoltaic system), including reduced input current ripple and reliability in case of faults. Despite the offered benefits of this topology, operating degraded modes lead up to undesirable effects such as electrical overstress on components and input current ripple increasing. The aim of this paper is to carry out a thorough analysis of these undesirable effects and to propose remedial strategies to minimize them.     

Fractional order modeling and two loop control of PEM fuel cell for voltage regulation considering both source and load perturbations

The growing demand for renewable energy sources has favored attention towards fuel cell and in particular towards Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) as an alternative energy source. Despite the advantage of possessing high current density, standalone isolated fuel cell operate at low voltage and the output is heavily dependent on the operating condition. This demands the integration of fuel cells with suitable power conditioning units. The present work aims at designing a controller which achieves the objective of regulated output voltage irrespective of variation in both load and source operating condition. The design and integration of the converter with PEMFC necessitates the development of a mathematical model, which can represent the PEMFC dynamics under different operating conditions. PEMFCs are known to exhibit distributed dynamics and possess long term memory, which are more accurately represented by fractional calculus. In this regard, a hybrid optimization based approach for fractional order modeling of PEMFC has been proposed. Further using the model, a fractional order Proportional Integral (FOPI) controller has been designed for regulating the load voltage. The presence of an extra tuning parameter in FOPI allows greater flexibility in achieving the system specification as compared to the classical Integer Order Proportional Integral (IOPI) controller. The effectiveness of the proposed FOPI controller for PEMFC fed PWM DC/DC converter has been validated under varying operating condition of the PEMFC and load perturbations in real time environment.     

An application of indirect model reference adaptive control to a low-power proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Nonlinearity and the time-varying dynamics of fuel cell systems make it complex to design a controller for improving output performance. This paper introduces an application of a model reference adaptive control to a low-power proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system, which consists of three main components: a fuel cell stack, an air pump to supply air, and a solenoid valve to adjust hydrogen flow. From the system perspective, the dynamic model of the PEM fuel cell stack can be expressed as a multivariable configuration of two inputs, hydrogen and air-flow rates, and two outputs, cell voltage and current. The corresponding transfer functions can be identified off-line to describe the linearized dynamics with a finite order at a certain operating point, and are written in a discrete-time auto-regressive moving-average model for on-line estimation of parameters. This provides a strategy of regulating the voltage and current of the fuel cell by adaptively adjusting the flow rates of air and hydrogen. Experiments show that the proposed adaptive controller is robust to the variation of fuel cell system dynamics and power request. Additionally, it helps decrease fuel consumption and relieves the DC/DC converter in regulating the fluctuating cell voltage.     

Non-isolated multiphase boost converter for a fuel cell with battery backup power system

This work describes a step-up non-isolated DC/DC converter aimed for fuel cell stand-alone power systems. The proposed converter has the following features: simple structure based on the basic boost topology that reduces the number of components; it uses the interleaving technique in order to reduce the current ripple at the input and output sides, reduction of the inductors size, higher frequency that reduce the output filter capacitor and easier power losses management. In addition, the use of an inner current control loop in the input side assures power sharing and easy module parallelization. The converter feeds a backup battery that maintains a DC voltage level at the main bus. An outer battery-charging loop controls the converter. Experimental validation is given for a four-phases 1 kW prototype at 100 kHz PWM switching frequency connected to a Nexa Ballard (1.2 kW-46 A) PEM fuel cell.     

DC/DC converter topologies for electrolyzers: State-of-the-art and remaining key issues

In recent years, the use of electrolyzers to produce cleanly and efficiently hydrogen from renewable energy sources (i.e. wind turbines, photovoltaic) has taken advantage of a growing interest from researchers and industrial. Similarly to fuel cells, DC/DC converters are needed to interface the DC bus with the electrolyzer. Usually, electrolyzers require a low DC voltage to produce hydrogen from water. For this reason, a DC/DC buck converter is generally used for this purpose. However, other DC/DC converter topologies can be used depending on the feature of the electrolyzer and electrical grid as well. The main purpose of this paper is to present the current state-of-the-art of DC/DC converter topologies which can be combined with electrolyzers. The different DC/DC converter topologies are compared in terms of output current ripple reduction, conversion ratio, energy efficiency, and power switch fault-tolerance. Besides, remarks on the state-of-the-art and remaining key issues regarding DC/DC converters are provided.     

Power conditioning of fuel cell systems in portable applications

Fuel cells are emerging as main power source for portable applications. These devices need power management circuit to connect varying output fuel cell voltage to desired regulated voltage load with high efficiency. Maintaining high efficiency of the converter over a wide loading range can improve stored fuel longevity. The purpose of this paper is to report a general review of most used topologies in fuel cell power conditioning applied to portable systems. Finally, a 100 W DC–DC converter for a particular fuel cell portable application will be presented. This converter was designed to fulfill several specifications of input and output voltage.     

Improved dynamic response of isolated full bridge DC to DC converter using BATA optimization tuned fuzzy sliding mode controller for solar applications

This paper deals with the achievement of dynamic response of high gain DC to DC converter in solar application using BAT Algorithm (BATA) optimization tuned Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller. The dynamic and transient response of isolated full bridge DC to DC converter are improved by using BATA optimization tuned Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller under starting and load step change conditions. The aim of the control is to regulate the output voltage beneath the load change. The model of the BATA tuned Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller is implemented using sim power systems toolbox of MATLAB SIMULINK. Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller is tuned by using BATA. Results are compared. Performance of the proposed dynamic novel control under step load change condition is investigated. Performance of proposed control is assessed through prototype hardware design.     

一种适用于BESS的交错并联双向DC/DC变换器

针对现有电池储能系统(BESS)双向DC/DC变换器(BDC)电压增益低和开关器件电压应力高等特点,提出一种适用于BESS的两相交错并联BDC。该储能系统(ESS)能有效结合Z源网络和交错并联结构的优势特性。详细分析了该ESS的工作原理、Boost和Buck模式,并推导出2种工作模式下的电压变化比。同时对该ESS两相交错并联BDC的带逻辑判断单元的载波移相控制策略进行了详细介绍。在Matlab/Simulink中搭建仿真实验模型,验证了该ESS各工作模式下的主要工作波形。仿真实验结果表明该系统具有电压增益高、开关器件电压应力低和各相电感之间能实现自动均流等优点。     

一种适用于BESS的交错并联双向DC/DC变换器

针对现有电池储能系统(BESS)双向DC/DC变换器(BDC)电压增益低和开关器件电压应力高等特点,提出一种适用于BESS的两相交错并联BDC。该储能系统(ESS)能有效结合Z源网络和交错并联结构的优势特性。详细分析了该ESS的工作原理、Boost和Buck模式,并推导出2种工作模式下的电压变化比。同时对该ESS两相交错并联BDC的带逻辑判断单元的载波移相控制策略进行了详细介绍。在Matlab/Simulink中搭建仿真实验模型,验证了该ESS各工作模式下的主要工作波形。仿真实验结果表明该系统具有电压增益高、开关器件电压应力低和各相电感之间能实现自动均流等优点。     

直流模块式光伏发电系统前级DC/DC变换研究

针对传统集中式光伏发电系统结构存在的问题,介绍了直流模块式光伏发电结构,并利用反激变换器作为直流模块式光伏发电系统的前级直流模块,采用变步长的滞环比较法实现光伏电池的最大功率跟踪控制,采用带有输入电压前馈控制的电压闭环控制策略实现直流母线的稳压控制。试验结果表明,该方案可行。     

直流微电网系统的DC/DC变换器控制系统设计

全桥DC/DC变换器由于具有高功率密度、高效率、高变压比及电气隔离的特点,成为直流微电网系统中重要的电力电子接口。而移相全桥DC/DC变换器具有高阶时变非线性的特点,具体应用时较难建立其精确的数学模型,这影响了传统PID控制性能,因此设计了模糊自整定控制器。通过对峰值电流模式下变换器的小信号建模,在传统PI控制的基础上,给出了基于模糊理论的PI参数在线自整定方法。同时,利用Matlab仿真工具给出了模糊控制器的设计方法,并通过DSP对其进行软硬件实现。仿真和试验结果表明,模糊自整定控制与常规PI控制相比,提高了系统的抗扰动能力,改善了系统的动态性能,从而提高了整个微电网系统的可靠性。     

An integrated simulation model for PEM fuel cell power systems with a buck DC-DC converter

Fuel cell powered systems generally have a high current and a low voltage. Therefore, the output voltage of the fuel cell must be stepped-down using a DC-DC buck converter. However, since the fuel cell and converter have different dynamics, they must be suitably coordinated in order to satisfy the demanded load. Accordingly, this study commences by constructing a MATLAB/Simulink model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system comprising a PEMFC stack, an air/fuel supply system, and a temperature control system. The validity of the PEMFC model is demonstrated by comparing the simulation results obtained for the polarzation curves of a single fuel cell with the corresponding experimental curves. A model is then constructed of the DC-DC buck converter used to step-down the PEMFC output voltage. In addition, a sliding mode control (SMC) scheme is proposed for the DC-DC buck converter which guarantees a low and stable output voltage given transient variations in the output voltage of the PEMFC. Finally, a model is constructed of a DC-AC inverter with a pulse width modulated (PWM) control scheme which enables the PEMFC stack to supply the grid or power AC applications directly. Overall, the combined PEMFC/DC-DC buck converter/DC-AC inverter model provides a powerful and versatile tool for the design and development of a wide range of PEMFC power systems.     

Numerical modeling and analysis of PEMFC integrated with auxiliary power source

A numerical model is developed from a stationary proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system comprising a PEMFC, a DC‐DC buck converter, an auxiliary power supply (a lithium battery and supercapacitor), and a DC‐AC inverter. The transient and steady‐state performance of the PEMFC system is investigated by means of Matlab/Simulink simulations. It is shown that a good agreement exists between the simulated polarization curve of the PEMFC and the experimental results presented in the literature. In addition, it is shown that the DC‐DC buck converter provides an effective means of stabilizing the output voltage of the PEMFC. Finally, the results confirm the effectiveness of the auxiliary power source in enabling the PEMFC to satisfy the peak load demand. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interleaved,switched-inductor,multi-phase,multi-device DC/DC boost converter for non-isolated and high conversion ratio fuel cell applications

Fuel cell power conditioners often require high step-up voltage gains to accommodate low input fuel cell voltages into high voltage busses. Traditional non-isolated DC-DC boost converters are unable to offer such as gains because of several parasitic elements and non-ideal behaviour of power semiconductors and driving circuits. Moreover, paralleled converters are also desirable to simplify power-up scaling and to reduce input/output current ripples. In this context, a very versatile non-isolated, high step-up voltage gain, interleaved boost converter is presented in this work. Steady-state analysis, simulation and evaluation of different converter structures are discussed in detail. Finally, a 500-W experimental prototype for Nexa Ballard 1.2 kW fuel cell specifications has been implemented and tested to verify the performance.     

Coordinated power control with virtual inertia for fuel cell-based DC microgrids cluster

This paper proposes a coordinated power control method with virtual inertia (VI) for fuel cell-based DC microgrids (MGs) cluster based on the multi-agent system (MAS) control frame. In the primary control layer, a local energy management strategy with virtual inertia is adopted to suppress the bus voltage disturbance, smooth the output power of fuel cell, as well as manage the power flow in the DC MG. In the secondary and tertiary control layers, a coordinated power control method based on MAS frame is implemented for the power flow among the sub-MGs. More specifically, the secondary voltage control loop is used for the bus voltage smooth control at the moment of microgrids interconnection, and the power flow tertiary control regular is applied for the battery SoC converge uniformly in finite time. Also, a fuel cell-based DC microgrids cluster real-time simulation platform is established to verify the control performance of the proposed coordinated power control method on the bus voltage smooth control, the SoC consistency control, load abrupt response and ‘plug and play’ capability.     

Steady-state and dynamic performance analysis of PV supplied DC motors fed from intermediate power converter

The steady-state and transient performance of PM and series motors coupled to centrifugal pump supplied from Photovoltaic source through intermediate buck-boost converter is analyzed. The effect of duty ratio selection based on maximum power operation of PV source and maximum daily gross mechanical power is investigated on the solar cell array operating point, motor armature voltage, armature current and motor efficiency variation. Studies are carried out by formulating the mathematical models for photovoltaic source, DC motors, power converter and load. Starting torque variation, Torque magnification factors expressions are derived and their variations plotted for the above two cases. Simulation software is developed for the transient and steady-state analysis of PV supplied DC motors for different duty ratios of power converter and solar insolations. Steady-state and transient performance characteristics are presented. The performance of PM DC motor is compared with the series motor operating under identical conditions.     

Numerical prediction on an automotive fuel cell driving system

Mathematical models were applied to predict the results of different strategies to improve automotive fuel cell driving systems. First, a fuel cell system was optimized on the base of a fuel cell stack model. Then calculations about the utilization of recovered energy from air exhaust steam were carried out. Two methods to combine the turbocharger with an electric compressor, namely in series and in parallel, were evaluated for a fuel cell system. Finally, research on the effect of removing the big power DC/DC converter, which is located between the fuel cell system and the driving motor, was conducted for a fuel cell driving system. The main results show that it is highly advantageous to connect the turbocharger with an electric compressor in series than in parallel; and that the fuel cell driving system without DC/DC converter before its motor could reach much higher performance characteristics, and even be so in lower power range while the cell voltage was designated to be lower.     

燃料电池功率调节系统的研究

燃料电池电压输出范围比较宽，电压比较低。针对该特点本文设计了DC/DC和DC/AC两级变换的功率调节系统(PCS)。其中DC/DC将燃料电池输出的低压直流电高频变换成高压直流电，变换器为电压单环控制。DC／AC逆变器采用基于电压电流瞬时值反馈的双闭环控制，将高压直流电逆变为正弦交流电。分析了整个功率调节系统的工作原理及逆变器电路参数对稳定性的影响。0．5KVA佯饥实验结果表明整个系统具有电压输入范围宽、变换效率高、输出波形THD小等优点。为开发高效、高功率密度的燃料电池电源系统提供技术基础。