Abstract
The paper presents a Switched-Capacitor Boost DC-DC Converter (SC-BC) which can be used in energy harvesting applications using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) with low output voltage, low power and a significant internal resistance. It consists of a switching capacitor circuit, where MOSFETs are used as switches, and a boost stage. The converter is a modification of a previously presented scheme in which diodes are used in the switched capacitor stage. A higher voltage gain and an increased efficiency can thus be achieved. The model of the converter was developed considering the internal resistance of the TEG and boost stage inductor. A comparison with the diode based converter is shown, with consideration of the TEG internal resistance. Calculation is presented of the main passive components. A control algorithm is also proposed and evaluated. It is based on a linearization approach, and designed for output voltage and inductor current control. The operation of both converter and control are verified with the simulation and experimental results.
Highlights
Photovoltaic (PV) systems suffer from temperature-related reduction of the produced power in the case of increased temperature of the panel surface
The results presented in this paper focus onlybased on the the behaviour of the TEGwas is not evaluated
A switched-capacitor boost convertertoto applied for thermal harvesting
Summary
Photovoltaic (PV) systems suffer from temperature-related reduction of the produced power in the case of increased temperature of the panel surface. Conduction Mode (CCM/DCM) boundary operated boost converter, with few switching elements and, high efficiency and low losses [12] The limitations of this structure occur due to the high internal resistance of the TEG, which limits the voltage gain of the converter. When high voltage gain is required, the converter has to operate with either very low or very high duty cycles (down to 0.1 or up to 0.9), resulting in reduced efficiency and, in some cases, highly nonlinear behaviour Another option would be to use the Luo-superlift converter [13,14]. The improvement of the converter is achieved by the replacement of the passive switching elements (diodes) with the active ones (MOSFETs), thereby reducing conduction losses significantly, which is represented in improved efficiency (95% at the maximum point compared to 79% in the case of the diode based converter).
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