Design and control of multiphase interleaved boost converters-based on differential flatness theory for PEM fuel cell multi-stack applications

Abstract This article is focused on the development of an energy management algorithm applied to a multi-stack fuel cell (FC) system for DC microgrid applications. To guarantee the performance of the FC stacks, the current ripple is reduced by employing multiphase interleaved boost converters. A proposed advanced control technique of the multi-stack with multiphase converters for the proton exchange membrane (PEM) FCs is estimated based on a differential flatness approach, in which it can track the power demand in real-time. Furthermore, the differential flatness based-control can ensure the balance of the DC bus voltage of the DC microgrid when load disturbance occurs. The flatness-based energy management strategy is based on both inner current loops (control of the multi-stack PEMFC through their multiphase interleaved boost converters) and outer voltage loop (DC bus voltage regulation). Compared to classic PI controllers mainly based on the linearization of the system to obtain the transfer function (making complex its application), the flatness-based theory leans on time-domain making it easier its use for various applications while ensuring good performances. To validate the proposed control structure, an FC converter system (5 kW) is realized and validated in the laboratory. For hydrogen production, the methanol FC system has consisted of a reformer engine that changes water mixed methanol liquid into hydrogen to supply FC stacks (ME2Power Fuel Cell System: 50 V, 5 kW). The proposed control algorithm is tested experimentally by using a dSPACE controller board platform. Simulation and test bench results authenticate the excellent performance during load cycles in DC microgrid.

[1]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Modeling and Control of Multiphase Interleaved Fuel-Cell Boost Converter Based on Hamiltonian Control Theory for Transportation Applications , 2020, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[2]  Ausias Garrigos,et al.  An interleaved, FPGA-controlled, multi-phase and multi-switch synchronous boost converter for fuel cell applications , 2015 .

[3]  Marie-Cécile Péra,et al.  Fuel cells multi-stack power architectures and experimental validation of 1 kW parallel twin stack PEFC generator based on high frequency magnetic coupling dedicated to on board power unit , 2008 .

[4]  Leopoldo Gil-Antonio,et al.  Trajectory Tracking Control for a Boost Converter Based on the Differential Flatness Property , 2019, IEEE Access.

[5]  Marcello Pucci,et al.  Energy Management System in DC Micro-Grids of Smart Ships: Main Gen-Set Fuel Consumption Minimization and Fault Compensation , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[6]  D. Guilbert,et al.  Design and experimental validation of a high voltage ratio DC/DC converter for proton exchange membrane electrolyzer applications , 2019, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

[7]  Hemanshu R. Pota,et al.  Design and implementation of partial feedback linearizing controller for grid-connected fuel cell systems , 2017 .

[8]  B Blunier,et al.  State-of-the-art of DC-DC converters for fuel cell vehicles , 2010, 2010 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference.

[9]  Ridvan Umaz.  A Single Inductor Self-Startup Energy Combiner Circuit With Bioturbation Resilience in Multiple Microbial Fuel Cells , 2020, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs.

[10]  Jean-Philippe Martin,et al.  Observer and Lyapunov-Based Control for Switching Power Converters With LC Input Filter , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

[11]  B. Nahid-Mobarakeh,et al.  Differential Flatness-Based Control of Current/Voltage Stabilization for a Single-Phase PFC with Multiphase Interleaved Boost Converters , 2017, 2017 European Conference on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS).

[12]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Nonlinear single-loop control of the parallel converters for a fuel cell power source used in DC grid applications , 2015 .

[13]  Qi Li,et al.  Efficiency Extreme Point Tracking Strategy Based on FFRLS Online Identification for PEMFC System , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[14]  Majid Zandi,et al.  Multi-Stack Lifetime Improvement through Adapted Power Electronic Architecture in a Fuel Cell Hybrid System , 2020 .

[15]  Guangzhao Luo,et al.  Interconnection and Damping Assignment Passivity-Based Control Applied to On-Board DC–DC Power Converter System Supplying Constant Power Load , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[16]  Qian Li,et al.  Extended State Observer Based Flatness Control for Fuel Cell Output Series Interleaved Boost Converter , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[17]  Kai Strunz,et al.  Modeling of multi-physics transients in PEM fuel cells using equivalent circuits for consistent representation of electric, pneumatic, and thermal quantities , 2020 .

[18]  Liangfei Xu,et al.  Real-Time Energy Management Strategy for Fuel Cell Range Extender Vehicles Based on Nonlinear Control , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[19]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Model-Free Control of Multiphase Interleaved Boost Converter for Fuel Cell/Reformer Power Generation , 2019, 2019 Research, Invention, and Innovation Congress (RI2C).

[20]  M. Fliess,et al.  Flatness and defect of non-linear systems: introductory theory and examples , 1995 .

[21]  Bernard Davat,et al.  Energy Management of a Fuel Cell/Supercapacitor/Battery Power Source for Electric Vehicular Applications , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[22]  Hicham Chaoui,et al.  A novel online energy management strategy for multi fuel cell systems , 2018, 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT).

[23]  Daniel Hissel,et al.  A review on DC/DC converter architectures for power fuel cell applications , 2015 .

[24]  Qi Li,et al.  A State Machine Control Based on Equivalent Consumption Minimization for Fuel Cell/ Supercapacitor Hybrid Tramway , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[25]  Kodjo Agbossou,et al.  On the sizing and energy management of an hybrid multistack fuel cell – Battery system for automotive applications , 2017 .

[26]  Romeo Ortega,et al.  A Hamiltonian viewpoint in the modeling of switching power converters , 1999, Autom..

[27]  Hind Taud,et al.  A Robust Differential Flatness-Based Tracking Control for the “MIMO DC/DC Boost Converter–Inverter–DC Motor” System: Experimental Results , 2019, IEEE Access.

[28]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Hydrogen economy of the fuel cell hybrid power system optimized by air flow control to mitigate the effect of the uncertainty about available renewable power and load dynamics , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[29]  Jean-Philippe Martin,et al.  A Fixed-Frequency Optimization of PWM Current Controller—Modeling and Design of Control Parameters , 2018, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[30]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Dynamic Modeling with State Observer-based Parameter Estimation for AC Servomotor Drive Application , 2019 .

[31]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Study of Hamiltonian Energy Control of Multiphase Interleaved Fuel Cell Boost Converter , 2019, 2019 Research, Invention, and Innovation Congress (RI2C).

[32]  P Thounthong,et al.  Analysis of Differential Flatness-Based Control for a Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Source , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[33]  Hicham Chaoui,et al.  An Adaptive State Machine Based Energy Management Strategy for a Multi-Stack Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle , 2020, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[34]  Fei Gao,et al.  Robust Voltage Control of Floating Interleaved Boost Converter for Fuel Cell Systems , 2018, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[35]  Serge Pierfederici,et al.  Optimal Design of a DC–DC Boost Converter in Load Transient Conditions, Including Control Strategy and Stability Constraint , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[36]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Air Flow Real‐time Optimization Strategy for Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Sources with Fuel Flow Based on Load‐following , 2018, Fuel Cells.

[37]  Liangcai Xu,et al.  Advanced Robustness Control of DC–DC Converter for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications , 2019, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[38]  Seul Jung,et al.  Practical Implementation of a Factorized All Pass Filtering Technique for Non-minimum Phase Models , 2018 .

[39]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Nonlinear Differential Flatness-Based Speed/Torque Control With State-Observers of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives , 2018, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[40]  Phatiphat Thounthong,et al.  Nonlinear intelligent DC grid stabilization for fuel cell vehicle applications with a supercapacitor storage device , 2015 .