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Thermoelectric Generator Circuit With Tree Topology and Evolutionary Reconfiguration

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents an original technique for the dynamic reconfiguration of a thermoelectric generators (TEGs) electric mesh. The novelty of the method is the use of a unique binary tree topology of the switching circuit, as well as the designed evolutionary algorithm optimized for the specific task of thermal-to electric-energy direct conversion control and regulation. Pairs of TEGs, which create terminal leaves of binary tree topology, or a combination of their sub-circuits, can be flexibly configured in series or in parallel by means of MOSFET relays representing nodes of the electric circuit tree structure. Each switching node of this connecting network is set independently by the microcontroller to ensure the best-matched configuration of the electricity generating circuit. This solution allows to maximize the production yield of electric energy, which is generated respectively to the actual temperature decomposition on hot and cold sides of thermoelectric modules as well as to the electric load power point. The high outcomes achieved by the approach were practically proven in a laboratory experiment on a testing set with a panel of 16 modules generating electricity, working under temperature conditions regulated by the climatic chamber. In addition, plenty of simulations were executed, and the computational performances achieved confirmed the good scalability of the proposed technique. The electric energy generated was stored in a super-capacitor magazine, for which the results obtained during the tests proved approximately 2 times the charging efficiency improvement, in contrast to the standard system with fixed electric wiring of TEG modules.
Source: IEEE Access
DOI: 10.1109/access.2025.3645451
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,075
OpenAlex ID: W4417438613
FWCI:
Cites: 39
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Related to: 10