Thermoelectricpower generation systems installed DC power bus system

H. Nagayoshi¹, H. He², T.Kajikawa²

¹Tokyo National College ofTechnology, 1220-2, Kunugida-machi, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan

²Shonan Institute of Technology, 1-1-25, Nishikaigan,Tsujido, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan

This paperdescribes a thermoelectric power generation system installed DC power bussystem, which is suitable for large battery-based thermoelectric powergeneration systems and utility- connected systems. A dispersion system issuitable for the large thermoelectric power generation systems when temperaturedistribution of heat source is non-uniform or different kinds of modules areused in the same system. Each thermoelectric unit is composed of some modulesand power controller connected to the DC power bus system. By using DC bussystems, each TE unit can operate independently under the optimum condition.MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control and constant-voltage-control methodare experimentally applied to the power controller. MPPT control has widematching ability, while the circuit becomes complex. On the other hand,constant-voltage-control method, which is substantially simpler than MPPTmethod, can be used with low mismatch loss when appropriate operational settingis used. The concept of the control method and experimental results will bepresented.