Investigation of a novel multi‐input‐single‐output DC–DC converter topology with GWO‐based MPPT controller for energy harvesting using Seebeck generators at different thermal gradients

This research work proposes an energy harvesting system using Seebeck generators (SGs) with a novel multi‐input‐single‐output (MISO) DC–DC converter and grey‐wolf optimisation (GWO)‐based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller at different thermal gradients. The thermoelectric modules (TEMs) of the SGs convert the thermal energy dissipated by the stator windings of the wind generator (WG) to electrical energy. The proposed MISO power converter topologies have been analysed for two‐inputs, four‐inputs, n ‐inputs, and a single‐output for producing higher output power to power a DC micro‐grid. It has the benefit of higher voltage gain and lower voltage stresses on metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor switches. The GWO‐based MPPT is employed in this work that overcomes the drawbacks of traditional MPPT methods such as steady‐state oscillation, transients, global convergence capability, and lower MPPT tracking accuracy under non‐uniform temperature conditions. The MPPT controller has effectively tracked a maximum power with a higher tracking accuracy of 98.19%, and the converter has an efficiency of 90.77% corresponding to the wind velocity of 12.9 m/s of the WG. Also, the TEMs are associated in a square series–parallel configuration, and the MISO power converter is analysed with a GWO‐based MPPT controller.