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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Design and control of multiphase interleaved boost converters-based on differential flatness theory for PEM fuel cell multi-stack applications

AU - Thounthong, Phatiphat

AU - Mungporn, Pongsiri

AU - Guilbert, Damien

AU - Takorabet, Noureddine

AU - Pierfederici, Serge

AU - Nahid-Mobarakeh, Babak

AU - Hu, Yihua

AU - Bizon, Nicu

AU - Huangfu, Yigeng

AU - Kumam, Poom

N1 - Funding Information: This work was funded by the international research program in cooperation under Renewable Energy Research Centre (RERC) [King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok ( KMUTNB )] and Groupe de Recherche en Energie Electrique de Nancy (GREEN) [ Université de Lorraine (UL)] under Grant KMUTNB −63−KNOW−040. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2021/1/1

Y1 - 2021/1/1

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - DC microgrid

KW - Differential flatness control

KW - Energy control

KW - Fuel cell multi-stack

KW - Interleaved boost converter

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088142060&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106346

DO - 10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106346

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85088142060

SN - 0142-0615

VL - 124

JO - International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems

JF - International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems

M1 - 106346

ER -