Design of improved controller for thermoelectric generator used in distributed generation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2010-06, Vol.35 (11), p.5968-5973
• Main Authors: Molina, M.G., Juanicó, L.E., Rinalde, G.F., Taglialavore, E., Gortari, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active control; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Computer simulation; Control techniques; Devices; Distributed generation (DG); Dynamic modeling; Dynamic tests; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Matlab; Maximum power tracking (MPT); Power conditioning system (PCS); Reactive power; Thermal resources; Thermoelectric generators; Thermoelectric generators (TEGs)
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.12.098

This paper investigates the application of thermal generation based on solid-state devices such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) as a novel technological alternative of distributed generation (DG). The full detailed modeling and the dynamic simulation of a three-phase grid-connected TEG used as a dispersed generator is studied. Moreover, a new control scheme of the TEG is proposed, which consists of a multi-level hierarchical structure and incorporates a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for better use of the thermal resource. In addition, reactive power compensation of the electric grid is included, operating simultaneously and independently of the active power generation. Validation of models and control schemes is performed by using the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Moreover, a small-scale TEG experimental set-up was employed to demonstrate the accuracy of proposed models.