Pied kingfisher optimizer for accurate parameter extraction in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

To enhance proton exchange membrane fuel cell PEMFC model accuracy, this paper introduces the Pied Kingfisher Optimizer (PKO) metaheuristic designed for parameter extraction. The PEMFC's I-V characteristics contain seven unknowns due to the limited availability of manufacturer data, making precise modeling challenging. This problem can be formulated mathematically as an optimization problem where the objective is to minimize the sum of squared errors (SSE) between estimated and observed voltages. The PKO algorithm is applied to four well-established commercial PEMFC stacks under various operating conditions, demonstrating its effectiveness in parameter estimation. Extensive comparisons with contemporary optimization methods reported in the literature validate the viability of the proposed approach. The best SSE values for the four PEMFC stacks: 250W, H-12, SR-12, NeddSrack PS6, and BCS 500W are 0.6419309319, 0.1160077894, 1.0563697792, 2.0655569076, and 0.011556123 respectively, achieving an efficiency exceeding 98 %. Additionally, multiple statistical performance metrics confirm the robustness and accuracy of the PKO algorithm. The results indicate that the PKO-based model effectively simulates PEMFC behavior and serves as a reliable parameter identification technique. Furthermore, employing PKO facilitates the development of an accurate PEMFC model, contributing to improved fuel cell performance evaluation and optimization.