*Article* **High-Performance Tracking for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System PEMFC Using Model Predictive Control**

**Mohamed Derbeli 1, Asma Charaabi 2, Oscar Barambones 1,\* and Cristian Napole <sup>1</sup>**


**Abstract:** Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell has recently attracted broad attention from many researchers due to its cleanliness, high efficiency and soundless operation. The obtention of highperformance output characteristics is required to overcome the market restrictions of the PEMFC technologies. Therefore, the main aim of this work is to maintain the system operating point at an adequate and efficient power stage with high-performance tracking. To this end, a model predictive control (MPC) based on a global minimum cost function for a two-step horizon was designed and implemented in a boost converter integrated with a fuel cell system. An experimental comparative study has been investigated between the MPC and a PI controller to reveal the merits of the proposed technique. Comparative results have indicated that a reduction of 15.65% and 86.9%, respectively, in the overshoot and response time could be achieved using the suggested control structure.

**Keywords:** proton exchange membrane; proton electrolyte membrane; PEM; fuel cell; PEMFC; power electronic converter; DC–DC boost converter; model predictive control; MPC
