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.