Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis: Modeling for hydrogen flow rate control

Abstract

Nowadays, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEMEL) is a promising and attractive technology when coupling with renewable energy sources (RES). Indeed, PEMEL can respond quickly to the dynamic operations of RES. Given that PEMEL must be supplied with a low DC voltage, DC-DC converters are mandatory. In this work, a stacked interleaved buck DC-DC converter is used. In this paper, the tuning of proportional, integral and derivative (PID) controllers, which are often used to enhance electrolyzer performances (efficient and reliable operation), is based on the dynamic behavior of the PEMEL. Before designing the PID controller, a model of the PEMEL is proposed based on input-output measured data, and this model is combined with the converter state-space description. Then, the obtained global model is used to tune two PID controller configurations: the first one to control the current and the second one to control the voltage of the PEMEL. Experimental tests are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the designed control laws.

Pathways towards Achieving High Current Density Water Electrolysis: from Material Perspective to System Configuration

“…One of the main advantages of dynamic modelling over static modelling is its reliability in reproducing the dynamic behavior of an alkaline electrolyzer when it is supplied by dynamic sources [384] . However, it requires a lot of experimental data, and the design of its controllers is complex due to the use of an equivalent electrical circuit [385] …”

“…[384] However, it requires a lot of experimental data, and the design of its controllers is complex due to the use of an equivalent electrical circuit. [385] While for the modelling of anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers, An et al developed a mathematical model in which integrated mass transport, charge transport, and electrochemical reactions occurring in the AEM electrolyzer were considered. [386] The result of their modelling reflects a good agreement between experimental data published in the literature.…”

A Comprehensive Survey of Alkaline Electrolyzer Modeling: Electrical Domain and Specific Electrolyte Conductivity

“…For this reason, the parameters of the model cannot be supposed constant, but variables to ensure the reliability of the model in recreating the behavior of the electrolyzer in agreement with the operating conditions. Relying on the electrical equations retrieved from the equivalent electrical circuit and the experimental data, different modeling approaches can be adopted such as regression analysis to assess the parameters of the model [55,56]. Such an approach enables obtaining good fitting but other methods that are also attractive can be employed, such as genetic or Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.…”

“…In other words, this modeling requests a lot of experimental data and the use of different approaches to determine the parameters of the model. Moreover, the design of controllers is more complex due to the use of an equivalent electrical circuit [55].…”

Modeling and Control Strategy of Wind-Solar Hydrogen Storage Coupled Power Generation System

“…Zhang et al [8] proposes an energy coordinated control strategy for wind-hydrogen coupled power generation under three operating conditions, and introduces super capacitors to reduce the voltage change at the grid connection point, which verifies the effectiveness of its control strategy. Maamouri et al [9] studied the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer and its converter, and proposed a control method of electrolyzer operation, and verified its control strategy through simulation.…”