Final Report Summary - ACOFC (Advanced Controllers and Observers Development for Fuel Cell based Generation Systems)
The scientific and technological purpose of the ACOFC project was to contribute with concrete results in the area of advanced controllers and observers development for energy conversion devices. Special focus has been given to improve the efficiency and durability of renewable energy systems based on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Considering the comprehensive facilities of the host institute, the research methodologies and proposals were tested in new PEM fuel cells technologies. In this framework, the specific objectives of the project were the following (note that 1, 2 and 3 were strictly scientific objectives, while the latter was a general goal based on the results of 1, 2, 3):
1. Design of dynamic observers for the estimation of states and performance variables in PEM fuel cells. Determination of novel performance indicators/variables related to efficiency and cells lifetime, such as water distribution, catalysts poisoning, thermal stress, membranes dehydration, hydrogen / oxygen starvation, etc. These indicators/variables were intended to improve the performance of current proposed controllers, also minimizing the number of sensors.
2. Design of robust non-linear controllers for PEM fuel cell stacks and related subsystems. Special emphasis was given to control techniques based on Higher Order Sliding Modes. The developed controllers incorporate the following properties: model based design, robustness against model uncertainty and external disturbances, dependence on performance variables and optimization indexes, low computational burden, reduced output chattering and finite time convergence using systematic design methodologies.
3. Implementation and experimental validation of the proposed controllers and observers at the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI) facilities, i.e. the Fuel Cells Laboratory. The results of this implementation stage were used to assess further theoretical developments for the project and also contribute to develop enhanced prototype equipments, in order to boost the technology transfer to the local and international industry.
4. Enhancement of IRI's researchers current proficiency, as well as master and doctoral students training in the field of non-linear control design and implementation. Particular attention was given to Sliding Mode design methodologies and the role of new performance variables, control objectives and optimization indexes obtained from objective 1.
5. Complete the writing of a book in collaboration with external partners of IRI. The book, “PEM Fuel Cells Nonlinear Control: A Sliding Mode Approach” by C. Kunusch, P.F. Puleston and M.A. Mayosky, Springer Verlag UK, was finished during the second semester of 2011. All the experimental results of the book were obtained from the IRI’s Fuel Cells Laboratory.
6. Diffusion of project results in specialised international conferences and workshops, as well as publishing the central results in leading international journals.
The project work and activities were planed and executed in order to achieve the settled objectives. To attain such goals, advanced non-linear algorithms developed with special emphasis on sliding modes, linear time varying parameters, unfalsified control, adaptive control and model predictive control.
As it can be seen in the list of publications, several novel proposals were presented for control, observation and identification in fuel cell based systems. Some of the current applications and proposed control/observation solutions are presented below:
• Robust extremum-seeking algorithms for hydrogen minimization in fuel cells.
• Membranes water transport robust estimation in finite time.
• Advanced multi-objectives controllers for fuel cells optimisation and durability extension.
• Robust controllers for active rectifiers and a double boost DC/DC converters. • Temperature regulation with constraints in water-cooled fuel cells.
• Development and validation of control oriented models for PEM fuel cells based systems.
With respect to the transfer of knowledge the host group members, Dr. Kunusch has performed many actions as, for instance, scientific/technical presentations to the whole research team, organization of regular seminars and research meetings, as well as work in new projects proposals. Another important activity of Dr. Kunusch that had great impact on the host group is the establishment of contacts with relevant research centres in Europe and USA, among others: • Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Freiburg, Germany.
• SINTEF Energy Research, Trondheim, Norway.
• University of Michigan, Ann Harbor, USA.
• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA.
• VTT, Espoo, Finland.
• Dipartamento di Ingegneria Elettrica ed Elettronica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy
In the framework of the ACOFC project, Dr. Kunusch has also boosted direct collaborations with relevant institutions: • LEICI, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
• Sliding Mode Control Laboratory. Facultad de Ingeniería. UNAM, Mexico.
• Ecole supérieure d'électricité, Paris, France.
• Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Department of Electric, Electronic and Automatic Control of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia.
The results already obtained during this two-years project are outstanding and can be summarised by:
• Obtaining relevant scientific achievements of the host control group in advanced control and observation of fuel cell based systems. At this moment, one book and two journal papers have been already published and one more is being reviewed. Nine papers have also been presented and/or accepted in specialised conferences reporting the most relevant results obtained. Note that during 2013, six out of seven papers are being presented in the most prestigious control conferences (ACC 2013, ECC 2013, IECON 2013, CDC 2013). Seven other works are being still developed and will be continued in the near future.
• Increasing the international visibility of the host group with many significant collaborations already accomplished with relevant groups in the automatic control area related with energy and fuel cells
• Improving the know-how of the hosting group in non-linear control, specifically in advanced sliding mode control and observation techniques
• Having comprehensible experimental fuel cells demonstrators able to show to industrial companies the advantages of the new generation of controllers and observers. Although it is early to evaluate the socio-economic impact that will have the results of the project, the interest of some companies, related with fuel cells and hydrogen energy, is high.
1. Design of dynamic observers for the estimation of states and performance variables in PEM fuel cells. Determination of novel performance indicators/variables related to efficiency and cells lifetime, such as water distribution, catalysts poisoning, thermal stress, membranes dehydration, hydrogen / oxygen starvation, etc. These indicators/variables were intended to improve the performance of current proposed controllers, also minimizing the number of sensors.
2. Design of robust non-linear controllers for PEM fuel cell stacks and related subsystems. Special emphasis was given to control techniques based on Higher Order Sliding Modes. The developed controllers incorporate the following properties: model based design, robustness against model uncertainty and external disturbances, dependence on performance variables and optimization indexes, low computational burden, reduced output chattering and finite time convergence using systematic design methodologies.
3. Implementation and experimental validation of the proposed controllers and observers at the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRI) facilities, i.e. the Fuel Cells Laboratory. The results of this implementation stage were used to assess further theoretical developments for the project and also contribute to develop enhanced prototype equipments, in order to boost the technology transfer to the local and international industry.
4. Enhancement of IRI's researchers current proficiency, as well as master and doctoral students training in the field of non-linear control design and implementation. Particular attention was given to Sliding Mode design methodologies and the role of new performance variables, control objectives and optimization indexes obtained from objective 1.
5. Complete the writing of a book in collaboration with external partners of IRI. The book, “PEM Fuel Cells Nonlinear Control: A Sliding Mode Approach” by C. Kunusch, P.F. Puleston and M.A. Mayosky, Springer Verlag UK, was finished during the second semester of 2011. All the experimental results of the book were obtained from the IRI’s Fuel Cells Laboratory.
6. Diffusion of project results in specialised international conferences and workshops, as well as publishing the central results in leading international journals.
The project work and activities were planed and executed in order to achieve the settled objectives. To attain such goals, advanced non-linear algorithms developed with special emphasis on sliding modes, linear time varying parameters, unfalsified control, adaptive control and model predictive control.
As it can be seen in the list of publications, several novel proposals were presented for control, observation and identification in fuel cell based systems. Some of the current applications and proposed control/observation solutions are presented below:
• Robust extremum-seeking algorithms for hydrogen minimization in fuel cells.
• Membranes water transport robust estimation in finite time.
• Advanced multi-objectives controllers for fuel cells optimisation and durability extension.
• Robust controllers for active rectifiers and a double boost DC/DC converters. • Temperature regulation with constraints in water-cooled fuel cells.
• Development and validation of control oriented models for PEM fuel cells based systems.
With respect to the transfer of knowledge the host group members, Dr. Kunusch has performed many actions as, for instance, scientific/technical presentations to the whole research team, organization of regular seminars and research meetings, as well as work in new projects proposals. Another important activity of Dr. Kunusch that had great impact on the host group is the establishment of contacts with relevant research centres in Europe and USA, among others: • Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Freiburg, Germany.
• SINTEF Energy Research, Trondheim, Norway.
• University of Michigan, Ann Harbor, USA.
• University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA.
• VTT, Espoo, Finland.
• Dipartamento di Ingegneria Elettrica ed Elettronica, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy
In the framework of the ACOFC project, Dr. Kunusch has also boosted direct collaborations with relevant institutions: • LEICI, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
• Sliding Mode Control Laboratory. Facultad de Ingeniería. UNAM, Mexico.
• Ecole supérieure d'électricité, Paris, France.
• Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Barcelona, Catalonia.
• Department of Electric, Electronic and Automatic Control of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia.
The results already obtained during this two-years project are outstanding and can be summarised by:
• Obtaining relevant scientific achievements of the host control group in advanced control and observation of fuel cell based systems. At this moment, one book and two journal papers have been already published and one more is being reviewed. Nine papers have also been presented and/or accepted in specialised conferences reporting the most relevant results obtained. Note that during 2013, six out of seven papers are being presented in the most prestigious control conferences (ACC 2013, ECC 2013, IECON 2013, CDC 2013). Seven other works are being still developed and will be continued in the near future.
• Increasing the international visibility of the host group with many significant collaborations already accomplished with relevant groups in the automatic control area related with energy and fuel cells
• Improving the know-how of the hosting group in non-linear control, specifically in advanced sliding mode control and observation techniques
• Having comprehensible experimental fuel cells demonstrators able to show to industrial companies the advantages of the new generation of controllers and observers. Although it is early to evaluate the socio-economic impact that will have the results of the project, the interest of some companies, related with fuel cells and hydrogen energy, is high.