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The single-stack fuel cell system is utilized extensively in several industries. Unfortunately, the main problems are its low efficiency and durability, and unsatisfied reliability, especially in the high-power situation. Due to its significant performance, which includes high output power, durability, and reliability, multi-stack fuel cell systems (MFCS) are becoming more and more attractive. In this study, it is aimed to develope a control algorithm in parallel structure in the Matlab/Simulink software for the efficient use of hydrogen fuel consumption of PEM fuel cells – based boost converter using PI controller with PSO method. Models of both single and parallel connected PEM fuel cells were created in Matlab using mathematical equations in this paper. The analysis made in the study were applied for both models. PEMFCs were connected in parallel and only one DC-DC converter was used for the entire system. According to the load change, the required number of cells are activated due to control algorithm to provide the required power. As a result, the proposed method reduces hydrogen consumption by approximately 5 times under the same load, while optimized parameters reduce output voltage oscillation. • A new control algorithm for parallel connected PEM fuel cell has been successfully implemented. • The suggested method reduces hydrogen consumption by approximately 5 times under the same load. • Using small-capacity fuel cells instead of huge ones minimizes hydrogen consumption. • Optimized parameters decrease the voltage oscillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the control of a DC/DC converter was carried out using the proposed methods of conventional PI, PSO-based PI, PSO-based FOPI, GA-based PI, and GA-based FOPI controllers in order to improve the performance of PEMFCs. Simulink models of a PEMFC model with two inputs—hydrogen consumption and oxygen air flow—and with controllers were developed. Then, the outputs of a system based on conventional PI were compared with the proposed methods. IAE, ISTE, and ITAE were employed as fitness functions in optimization algorithms such as PSO and GA. Fitness function value, maximum overshoot, and rising time were utilized as metrics to compare the performance of the methods. PI and FOPI parameters were optimized with the proposed methods and the results were compared with traditional PI in which the optimum parameters were determined by an empirical approach. This research study indicates that the proposed methods perform better than the conventional PI method. However, it becomes apparent that the GA-FOPI approach outperforms the others. The simulation result also shows that the PEMFC model with conventional PI and FOPI controllers in which the controller parameters are tuned using PSO and GA has an acceptable control performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]