Modeling and Constraint-Aware Control of Pressure Dynamics in Water Electrolysis Systems

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenge of pressure constraint violations in water electrolysis systems operating under dynamic power conditions, a problem common to both Proton Exchange Membrane and alkaline technologies. To investigate this issue, a control-oriented model of an alkaline electrolyzer is developed, capturing key pressure and flow dynamics. To manage rapid power fluctuations that may cause pressure to exceed manufacturer-defined operational boundaries, a model-based constraint-aware power governor based on the Reference Governor (RG) framework is proposed. Simulation results show that the strategy effectively maintains pressure within the specified operating range, outperforming conventional filtering methods while enhancing hydrogen production and reducing auxiliary energy consumption.