A FPGA based PI adaptive sliding mode controller for PEM fuel cell with boost converter

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the most popular fuel cells for renewable energy production, and this paper presents a DC/DC boost converter structure to improve energy efficiency. To achieve high output power as well as constant output voltage, a combined method consisting of proportional-integral controller and adaptive sliding mode technique is designed. Also, due to the use of adaptive technique, the proposed technique has the ability to cover the effects of uncertainty with an unknown high limit and in addition to improving the quality of output power and voltage of PEM, it eliminates permanent tracking error and guarantees closed loop system stability. To show the operational implementation capability and flexibility of the method, FPGA has been used, which in addition to showing real-time performance, provides the ability to execute the controller at high speeds. Operationality and the possibility of practical implementation of the planned scheme on the existing systems provide the possibility of increasing the efficiency of energy extraction without further investment. The stability of the closed-loop system is achieved using Lyapunov technique and the results of simulation and comparison indicate the optimal performance of the system under the planned scheme and high efficiency in comparison with existing approaches.