High Performance Monolithic Power Management System with Dynamic Maximum Power Point Tracking for Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are the main topic of this chapter. Different types of electrochemical devices are presented and their typical power output is compared with other energy sources, providing a framework for the uses and applications of MFC technology. Following an historical approach of how this technology came to be, a more detailed description of some aspects of a typical microbial fuel cell is then brought forward. The energy harvesting concept, its use on low power wireless systems and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are presented and described. Wastewater treatment plants are a kind of infrastructure where this technology could be applied with a major success to power wireless sensing networks. An experimental setup, develop to improve the use of MFC in waste water treatment plants is presented. This chapter also provides a review on research trends for microbial fuel cells and maximum power point tracking algorithms, therefore, pointing current researches on this technology.

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A new approach in maximum power point tracking for a photovoltaic array with power management system using Fibonacci search algorithm under partial shading conditions

Energy Systems ◽

10.1007/s12667-015-0185-1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 145-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Akshaya K. Pati ◽

N. C. Sahoo

Keyword(s):

Power Management ◽

Search Algorithm ◽

Maximum Power Point ◽

Partial Shading ◽

New Approach ◽

Photovoltaic Array ◽

Point Tracking ◽

Power Point Tracking ◽

Power Management System ◽

Power Point

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Strategies of Maximum Power Point Tracking for Sub-mW Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells

Journal of Low Power Electronics ◽

10.1166/jolpe.2019.1620 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 351-360

Author(s):

Armande Capitaine ◽

Gael Pillonnet ◽

Bruno Allard

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Microbial Fuel Cells ◽

Maximum Power Point Tracking ◽

Maximum Power ◽

Power Budget ◽

Maximum Power Point ◽

Flyback Converter ◽

Point Tracking ◽

Power Point Tracking ◽

Power Point

Benthic microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are promising alternatives to conventional batteries for powering underwater low-power sensors. Regarding performances (10's μW at 100's mV for cm 2-scale electrodes), an electrical interface is required to maximize the harvested energy and boost the voltage. Because the MFCs electrical behavior fluctuates, it is common to refer to maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Using a sub-mW flyback converter, this paper compares the benefit of different MPPT strategies: either by maximizing the energy at the converter input or at the converter output, or by fixing the MFC operating point at its nominal maximum power point. A practical flyback has been validated and experimentally tested for these MPPT options showing a gain in efficiency in certain configurations. The results allow determining a power budget for MPPT controllers that should not exceed this gain. Eventually, considering typical MFC fluctuations, avoiding any MPPT controller by fixing the converter operating parameters may offer better performances for sub-mW harvesters.

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