An optimized double-integral sliding mode controller based hybrid gray wolf with bald eagle search algorithm for a fuel cell power system

This study presents an optimal robust maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system operating under specified operational conditions. The investigated PEMFC system includes a fuel cell with a DC-DC converter, providing a resistive charge. The control scheme combines the robust nonlinear double-integral sliding mode control (DISMC) and the hybrid gray wolf optimizer with bald eagle search (GWO-BES) algorithm. As a novel strategy, the GWO-BES-DISMC controller combines the benefits of double-integral sliding mode methods, where the double-integral term eliminates steady-state error and inherently reduces chattering through the generation of smooth control signals, while optimized controller gains prevent overshoot. The hybrid GWO-BES algorithm optimizes DISMC parameters by leveraging GWO's global search capability to avoid local minima and BES's exploitation strength for precise parameter fine-tuning. Moreover, the GWO-BES technique is employed to optimize the parameters of the DISMC controller. The novelty lies in the first-time integration of hybrid GWO-BES optimization with double-integral sliding mode control for PEMFC systems, addressing chattering elimination and parameter optimization simultaneously. The stability of the controlled PEMFC power system is affirmed through the application of the Lyapunov function. Additionally, several simulations of the proposed GWO-BES-DISMC are investigated and compared to the DISMC and the SMC controllers for operational conditions. The simulation results conclusively demonstrate that the proposed approach exhibits superior robustness with 85.9% faster settling time (0.184 s vs 1.309 s for SMC), 97.4% reduction in steady-state error, and 99.53% efficiency, even with external load variations, while remaining stable without overshoot.