A distributed MPPT control for a hybrid centralized-distributed TEG power generation system

The hybrid centralized-distributed (HCD) thermoelectric generator (TEG) system can solve the unmatched maximum power point (MPP) between the series-connected TEG modules and achieve the maximum efficiency of power generation system. This paper proposes a distributed maximum power point tracking (MPPT) used in HCD TEG. By controlling the output currents of the TEG modules, the input currents of the centralized units are equal to the minimum current of the TEG modules at MPP and the input currents of the distributed units are equal to the difference between the current of the each TEG module at MPP and the input current of the centralized unit, which can decouple the MPPT control between each module. The system can track the MPP of each module fast, accurately and stably, and let each TEG module operate at its MPP. We set up the experimental system that is a four-module HCD TEG power generation system. The experimental results prove that the distributed MPPT control method is realizable.