Variable Step-Size Decremented Window-Size Scanning-based MPPT Algorithms for Thermoelectric Generator Systems

Variable Step-Size Decremented Window-Size Scanning-based MPPT Algorithms for Thermoelectric Generator Systems are presented in this paper. The proposed MPPT algorithm is simple to implement and can tune automatically the TEG system to operate at its maximum power point effectively. By using different step-size decrements and step-number changes for each scanning-step iteration, four types of DWS-based MPPT algorithms are derived. The performance of the four DWS algorithms are verified through simulations. The optimal or appropriate selection of the variable step-size decrements for each scanning-step iteration can improve the convergence speed of the algorithms to reach the expected maximum power points. The DWS-based MPPT algorithm, which uses for example a 13-4-1 step-size decrement with 1% minimum duty-ratio step-size, can reach the maximum power point after 22 P&O-steps. The need for relatively small number of the required P&O-steps, in addition to the simple computing implementation, is the impressive features of the proposed DWS-based MPPT algorithms for thermoelectric-based energy harvesting applications.