A maximum-power-point-tracking control system for thermoelectric generators

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is the predominant compact, solid-state heat engine. Effective utilization of a heat resource using a TEG requires maximizing its power output by interposing a regulated power converter between the source and load. In this work, a maximum-power-point-tracking system architecture is introduced that is compatible with efficient pulse-width modulated converter topologies. The control system, based on input voltage sampling, does not require a microcontroller or analog-to-digital converter and can be built with available discrete components. Measurement results of a demonstration SEPIC converter are presented, validating the concept.

Citation

Schwartz, D. E. A maximum power-point tracking control system for thermoelectric generators. The 3rd International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG 2012); 2012 June 25; Aalborg, Denmark.