Low Voltage DC-DC Boost Converter for Thermoelectric Generators

Thermoelectric power generators (TEG) are solid state devices, which are useful for converting waste heat into electricity. TEG operating under low tempearture gradient usually produces low voltage (=1.5 V) is required. This thesis aim at the design and development of a low voltage dc-dc boost converter exhibiting high efficiency, high output power for the practical application of a thermolectric generator. The ultimate aim of this thesis work is to develop a power source for sensors or IoT devices by harvesting energy from low temperature waste heat sources via thermoelectric generator (TEG). To achieve this objective, a novel low voltage self-startup maximum power point tracking (MPPT) based dc-dc boost converter and a low temperature operable TEG module are developed. A detailed research study has been conducted to achieve the objective and research findings are described in following seven chapters.