High-Efficiency Model Predictive Current Control for Dual Stage Grid-Connected PEMFC System

Badreddine KANOUNI; Abd Essalam Badoud; Saad Mekhilef

Badreddine KANOUNI Department, Faculty, Electrical Engineering Department University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif, Algeria
Abd Essalam Badoud Department, Faculty, Electrical Engineering Department University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif, Algeria
Saad Mekhilef Department, F School of Software and Electrical Engineering, Swinburne, Victoria, Australia

Keywords: PEMFC, DC-DC, FUZZY LOGIC, MPC, THD

Abstract

This work introduces an improved control technique for a dual-stage grid-connected proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power system, using model predictive current control. The first step (Boost Converter) is subjected to the use of a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique known as fuzzy logic. Moreover, the use of a two-level inverter serves as an intermediary component for injecting the electricity obtained from the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) into the utility grid. A model predictive current control strategy has been developed with the objective of regulating the grid current and achieving synchronization between the grid voltage and current, with the ultimate goal of achieving a power factor of unity. The results obtained from numerical simulations conducted inside the Matlab/SimulinkTM environment demonstrate that the proposed Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) approach effectively achieves precise tracking of the Maximum Power Point (MPP) while minimizing power oscillation in a stable state, even in the presence of temperature variations. Additionally, the MPCC ensured the integration of the extracted power into the network while maintaining a low level of total harmonic distortion (THD %) in the grid currents.