An automotive thermoelectric–photovoltaic hybrid energy system using maximum power point tracking

Abstract In recent years, there has been active research on exhaust gas waste heat energy recovery for automobiles. Meanwhile, the use of solar energy is also proposed to promote on-board renewable energy and hence to improve their fuel economy. In this paper, a new thermoelectric–photovoltaic (TE–PV) hybrid energy system is proposed and implemented for automobiles. The key is to newly develop the power conditioning circuit using maximum power point tracking so that the output power of the proposed TE–PV hybrid energy system can be maximized. An experimental system is prototyped and tested to verify the validity of the proposed system.

[1]  Xiaodong Zhang,et al.  Overview of Thermoelectric Generation for Hybrid Vehicles , 2008 .

[2]  Annette von Jouanne,et al.  A sustainable power architecture for mobile computing systems , 2008 .

[3]  Yaow-Ming Chen,et al.  A Systematic Approach to Synthesizing Multi-Input DC/DC Converters , 2007, 2007 IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.

[4]  K. T. Chau,et al.  Design and implementation of a thermoelectric-photovoltaic hybrid energy source for hybrid electric vehicles , 2009 .

[5]  W. Schulz,et al.  Photovoltaic-hybrid power supply for radio network components , 1999, 21st International Telecommunications Energy Conference. INTELEC '99 (Cat. No.99CH37007).

[6]  Yanqiu Li,et al.  Hybrid Micropower Source for Wireless Sensor Network , 2008, IEEE Sensors Journal.

[7]  Jih-Sheng Lai,et al.  Aggregated modeling and control of a boost-buck cascade converter for maximum power point tracking of a thermoelectric generator , 2008, 2008 Twenty-Third Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition.

[8]  K. T. Chau,et al.  An overview of energy sources for electric vehicles , 1999 .

[9]  Ching Chuen Chan,et al.  Emerging Energy-Efficient Technologies for Hybrid Electric Vehicles , 2007, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[10]  K. T. Chau,et al.  Hybridization of energy sources in electric vehicles , 2001 .

[11]  K. T. Chau,et al.  Thermoelectric automotive waste heat energy recovery using maximum power point tracking , 2009 .

[12]  J. Yang,et al.  Potential applications of thermoelectric waste heat recovery in the automotive industry , 2005, ICT 2005. 24th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, 2005..

[13]  Pierre Leduc,et al.  Heat Recovery for next Generation of Hybrid Vehicles: Simulation and Design of a Rankine Cycle System , 2009 .

[14]  K. T. Chau,et al.  Overview of power management in hybrid electric vehicles , 2002 .

[15]  J. Bokor,et al.  Control Solutions for Hybrid Solar Vehicle Fuel Consumption Minimization , 2007, 2007 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium.