Super-Twisting Double Integral Sliding Mode Controller Design for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Based on a DC-DC Boost Converter

Fuel cell technology is rapidly gaining attention as a sustainable energy solution, utilizing hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, with heat and water as its only byproducts. Excess power from the grid can be employed by electrolyzers to produce hydrogen, which serves as the primary fuel for fuel cells. This research proposes a robust super-twisting double integral sliding mode controller (STDISMC) for regulating the output voltage of a DC-DC boost converter connected to a DC grid. The controller is designed using the mathematical model of the converter, ensuring robust and precise performance. A comprehensive dynamic model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is used to simulate practical operating conditions and evaluate the system's behavior during its operation. Comparative simulations are conducted in MATLAB Simulink, evaluating the proposed STDISMC against a traditional nonlinear sliding mode controller. The results consistently demonstrate superior dynamic performance, improved robustness, and better voltage regulation by the proposed STDISMC. The findings highlight the controller's effectiveness in enhancing fuel cell-based energy systems, making it a promising solution for future renewable energy applications.