Temperature Controlled Voltage Regulated Boost Converter for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting

Abstract

This paper presents a temperature controlled voltage regulated boost converter for running low power electronics using thermoelectric energy harvesting. The modulation of gate driver clock using different oscillator frequencies in the boost converter and temperature difference across thermoelectric module regulates the output voltage in the converter to different levels. At temperature differences of 22°C, 34°C, and 56°C across the sides of thermoelectric modules, the d.c. voltages of 0.49, 0.7, and 0.87 V from thermoelectric generator (TEG) are boosted to a maximum output of 21.66,41, and 47.54 V across a 10 µF capacitor at 39 kHz gate driving frequency. Further, the output voltage is varied by changing the frequency of pulse across gate. In addition, the converter delivers a maximum output power of 2.26 mW when the supply voltage is 0.87 V from the TEG. The converter also provides regulated power across different load resistances for charging rechargeable batteries. Such sustainable systems may be utilized by converting waste heat from vehicles, sun or factories into desired d.c. voltages useful in electronics.