Development of a DC-DC converter with Current Mode Control for multi-source renewable energy harvesting system

This paper presents a multiple input energy harvesting system that addresses the intermittency of renewable energy sources which outputs a regulated voltage using a boost converter which makes use of the Current Mode Control technique (CMC). Photovoltaic cell exposed to both artificial and natural light, and piezoelectric transducers mechanically excited by vibrations produced using a function generator-powered speaker are used as the energy sources in conducting the experimentation. A scalability analysis for both the piezoelectric and solar cells are done, as well as regulation tests of output voltage for the boost converter in lieu of varying load and line voltages are executed. A step test of various input voltages for the boost converter and determining the load resistance value where the system is most efficient are also done. Comparison of the performance of DC-DC converters with and without CMC is also conducted.