Investigation on the air supply subsystem of PEMFC based on sliding mode control and model predictive control

To improve the performance and stability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), this paper proposes a hybrid control strategy that integrates sliding mode control (SMC) with model predictive control (MPC). Based on a control framework that combines global optimization with local compensation, the proposed method optimizes PEMFC operating conditions while improving system robustness. A PEMFC air supply subsystem model was developed in Simulink to conduct numerical simulations of SMC, MPC, and the hybrid control strategy. The results show that the hybrid approach achieves the smallest overshoot, reduced by 60% and 28% compared with SMC and MPC, respectively. It also attains the shortest settling time, decreased by 20% and 52%, and the fastest disturbance recovery time, improved by 50% and 37.5%. Overall, the hybrid strategy improved dynamic metrics for oxygen excess ratio, voltage stability, and net power under tested load steps.