Improving Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Operational Reliability Through Cabin-Based Fuzzy Control in Costal Standalone Observation Systems in Antarctica

Hydrogen energy generation plays a crucial role in enhancing the utilization of clean energy at coastal stations with abundant wind and solar resources in Antarctica. In response to the reliable demand for the application of hydrogen fuel cells in standalone observation systems in Antarctica, in this research, a power supply scheme based on a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is introduced. Transient models of the PEMFC are developed, and the optimum operational and environmental conditions are determined through experimental investigations conducted at low temperatures. Based on the findings, a PEMFC-based power supply system is designed, encompassing a fuel cell stack, a measurement and control system, and an operation cabin. A temperature-coordinated control system leveraging a BP neural network, fuzzy logic rules, and the fuzzy-based active disturbance rejection control (Fuzzy-ADRC) strategy are proposed to ensure that the temperature of the PEMFC and cabin can reach the optimal state rapidly and that the output voltage is stable. The results indicate that the stack temperature reaches the specified value more rapidly than with PID and ADRC control methods when the current loading and changes in the ambient temperature are considered, and the output voltage oscillation amplitude can be more effectively minimized. This research provides preliminary guidance for a reliable energy supply scheme for PEMFCs, especially in standalone observation systems in coastal locales.