Intelligent power management strategy of hybrid distributed generation system

This paper describes a novel control strategy for active power flow in a hybrid fuel cell/battery distributed generation system. The method introduces an on-line power management by a hierarchical hybrid controller between dual energy sources that consist of a battery bank and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The proposed method includes an advance supervisory controller in the first layer which captures all of the possible operation modes. This layer has been developed by Stateflow toolbox and prepares a proper supervisory environment for this complex structure. In the second layer, an advanced fuzzy controller has been developed for power splitting between battery and fuel cell. With regards to the operation modes, the upper layer makes decision to choose the switching chain rules and corresponding controller in the second layer. Finally in the third layer, there are local controllers to regulate the set points of each subsystems to reach the best performance and acceptable operation indexes. Simulation results of a test system illustrate improvement in the operation efficiency of the hybrid system and the battery state of charge has been maintained at a reasonable level. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.