A maximum power point tracking controller for thermoelectric generators

Wei Xie, Guangyue Huang, Xiao Zhang, Fang Deng

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) directly convert heat energy into electricity for power-supplying sensors and other portable electronic devices. In this paper, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller in the modified perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm was designed on the basis of analyzing the output characteristics of the TEG modules. The MPPT controller consists of a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a microcontroller and a SEPIC converter, which keeps the operating point of the thermoelectric generator tracking the maximum power point (MPP). The thermoelectric generator was heated to generate electricity, and a supercapacitor accumulated that energy. Experimental results using the MPPT controller present that the thermoelectric generator's output voltage achieves around 5 V, the output power achieves upward of 2W when the temperature difference ΔT=75°C and the operating point of the thermoelectric generator accurately tracks the MPP with a tracking efficiency of 99.8%; the charging power can be improved 89.65%.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 36th Chinese Control Conference, CCC 2017
EditorsTao Liu, Qianchuan Zhao
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages9079-9084
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9789881563934
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2017
Event36th Chinese Control Conference, CCC 2017 - Dalian, China
Duration: 26 Jul 201728 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameChinese Control Conference, CCC
ISSN (Print)1934-1768
ISSN (Electronic)2161-2927

Conference

Conference36th Chinese Control Conference, CCC 2017
Country/TerritoryChina
CityDalian
Period26/07/1728/07/17

Keywords

  • Maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
  • Modified P&O algorithm
  • SEPIC converter
  • Thermoelectric generators (TEGs)

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