No abstract

This paper proposes a novel single sensor variable step size maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. This paper is a first, if modest, attempt to develop a single sensor MPPT for fuel cell systems. The proposed MPPT algorithm uses only one sensor to track the maximum power of PEM fuel system composed of 7 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) powering 50 Ω resistive load via a DC–DC boost converter driven using the proposed MPPT. The performances of the proposed controller have been evaluated using the implemented PEM fuel cell power system Matlab/Simulink model using two test scenarios considering temperature and hydrogen pressure variation. Simulation results show that the proposed controller can effectively track the maximum power point using only one sensor which reduces the cost as well as the complexity of the PEM fuel cell power system. Comparative results with the two sensors MPPT show that the two sensors MPPT outperforms the single sensor MPPT regarding the dynamic performances. However, the proposed single sensor MPPT performs better considering the static performances. In addition, the proposed controller reduces drastically the current ripple increasing by the way the fuel cell efficiency and lifetime by reducing the frequent trip due to over‐current and even harmonics.

No abstract

In consequence of increasing global energy consumption, the environmental problems such as pollution and the drain of conventional energy resources such as coal, gas and liquefied petrol. To tame this by implementing seeming technology of renewable energy, hydrogen is one of the promising alternative fuels for the future because it has the capability of storing energy of high quality. Therefore, the hydrogen has been visualized to become the cornerstone of future energy systems. It is produced from water electrolysis under electrochemical interaction. Water electrolyzer converts electricity into chemical energy which produces hydrogen and oxygen; this can be achieved by passing DC electric current between two electrodes separated by electrolyte. The direct electric current is delivered by source renewable energy, photovoltaic or wind system. In this paper the different parts of indirect coupling PV with alkaline electrolyzer for hydrogen production have been studied and investigated using Matlab Simulink environment. The developed models allow us the analysis of current-voltage characteristics for both systems PV and Electrolyzer, respectively, as well as the principal parameters affecting the performance of the alkaline electrolyzer.

In this paper, a variable step size P&O algorithm is used in order to improve the performance of a photovoltaic system in both dynamic and static plans. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm has been investigated successfully using the BP SX150S solar module connected to the DC-DC derived by a P&O MPPT algorithm. The comparative study results of both conventional fixed step size and the proposed variable step size P&O algorithms prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared to the standard fixed step size PO MPPT. The proposed algorithm reduces response time between 13.86% and 45.28% and the steady state oscillation between 83.33% and 100% leading to less power loss especially in case of fast changing atmospheric conditions.  This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.