Combined maximum power point tracking and output current control for a photovoltaic-electrolyser DC/DC converter

Abstract This paper covers the design and the implementation of the control strategy of a DC/DC converter aimed for hydrogen production from photovoltaic sources. This control scheme provides tight control of the injected current to the electrolyser and, if required, maximum power point tracking of the photovoltaic source, by means of two independent external control loops. The two outer loops create a reference signal for an inner control loop, which adjusts the duty cycle of the DC/DC converter and sets the output inductor current to the desired value. Embedded design, which includes analog and digital electronics, has been considered for the practical implementation. Converter and control loop modelling, simulation and experimental validation are discussed in this work.

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