Abstract
In this paper, the design and performance investigation of the hybrid photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator (PV–TEG) system with an enhanced fractional order fuzzy logic controller (FOFLC)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique is presented. A control strategy of the variable incremental conduction (INC) method is employed using FOFLC for the MPPT control technique to efficiently harvest the maximum power from the PV module. The fractional factor α used in the MPPT control algorithm is a supporting fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for the accurate tracking of the maximum power point (MPP) and to maintain the constant output after reaching the MPP. In the proposed system configuration, the TEG is mounted with the PV panel for generating the extra electrical power using the waste heat energy produced on the PV panel due to the incident solar irradiation. The PV and TEG are connected electrically in series to increase output voltage level and thereby improve the power output. The hybrid energy module has better energy conversion efficiency when compared to the standalone PV array. The performance of the proposed MPPT technique is studied for the PV–TEG hybrid energy module under various thermal and electrical operating conditions using a MATLAB software-based simulation. The results of the FOFLC-based MPPT technique are compared with the conventional perturb and observe (P&O) and FLC-based P&O methods. The proposed MPPT technique confirms its effectiveness in extracting the maximum power in terms of speed and accuracy. Moreover, the PV and TEG combined system provides higher energy efficiency than the individual PV module.
Highlights
The electric power generation around the world is changing towards the environmentally friendly because the use of conventional source-based power generation causes more environmental issues, such as the emission of greenhouse gases, global warming, and air pollution
Recent research studies have confirmed that the thermoelectric generator (TEG) can be used for improving the power conversion efficiency of the PV array by making use of the waste heat produced around the PV array due to the incident solar irradiation
These characteristic graphs are closely matched with the results presented in [27] for the Bi2 Te3 thermocouple
Summary
The electric power generation around the world is changing towards the environmentally friendly because the use of conventional source-based power generation causes more environmental issues, such as the emission of greenhouse gases, global warming, and air pollution. The PV combined TEG hybrid module provides a promising solution for solar thermal energy waste, and it supports the improvement of the overall system power conversion efficiency [1,4]. The energy conversion efficiency of TEGs is usually around 5–10% [11]; the efficiency level can be improved by enhancing the electrical and/or thermal performance of the TEs. Recent research studies have confirmed that the TEG can be used for improving the power conversion efficiency of the PV array by making use of the waste heat produced around the PV array due to the incident solar irradiation. The study results in [12] confirmed that the PV and TEG combined hybrid energy system with different structures provides higher power output, better efficiency and reduced waste heat. The results of the proposed MPPT technique are compared with the classical P&O and FLC-based P&O MPPT techniques
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