A novel high-gain DC-DC converter with fuzzy logic control for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle applications

Abstract

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional internal combustion engines due to their zero-emission characteristics and high energy efficiency. However, the low output voltage of fuel cells poses a significant challenge in meeting the high-voltage requirements of electric traction systems. To address this, this paper proposes a high-gain non-isolated switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converter integrated with a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for efficient power management in hydrogen fuel cell vehicle applications. The proposed converter topology achieves a significant voltage step-up without the use of bulky magnetic components, making it lightweight and compact for automotive integration. A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller using fuzzy logic is used to recover optimum energy out of the fuel cell stack during different loads and conditions of the environment. MATLAB/Simulink simulation results validate the high voltage gain, stable operation, and improved dynamic response of the proposed converter under FLC control. The proposed intelligent control strategy enhances fuel cell utilization and ensures effective operation of HFCV powertrains.