Design and Implementation of a New Thermoelectric-Photovoltaic Hybrid Energy System for Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Abstract

In this article, a new thermoelectric-photovoltaic hybrid energy system is proposed for hybrid electric vehicles. The key is to newly develop the multiple-input single-ended primary inductor converter to simultaneously regulate the thermoelectric and photovoltaic generators in such a way that the total output power can be maximized. Both design and implementation of the proposed system are discussed. Experimental results are given to verify the whole system.

Keywords:

• hybrid electric vehicle
• thermoelectric
• photovoltaic
• multiple-input converter

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the Matching Fund for NSFC Young Researcher Awards from the University Research Committee and a grant (project code 200807176032) from the Committee on Research and Conference Grants, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.