Design of a Concentration Solar Thermoelectric Generator

Li, Peng; Cai, Lei; Zhai, Pengcheng; Tang, Xinfeng; Zhang, Qingjie; Niino, Masayuki

doi:10.1007/s11664-010-1279-0

Cited by 151 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…For over a century thermoelectric devices have drawn little attention as a potential technology for terrestrial solar power conversion due to low efficiency and/or complicated and bulky designs, making the technology economically viable only for niche solar applications (Telkes, 1954;Goldsmid et al, 1980;Dent and Cobble, 1982;Rockendorf et al, 1999;Vatcharasathien et al, 2005;Li et al, 2010). Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) have also been designed and optimized for space applications due to their advantages of reliability and the capability to withstand high incident solar radiation (Fuschillo et al, 1966;Scherrer et al, 2003) However, constraints and designs for earth-based STEGs are different and have not been successfully optimized for large-scale and potentially cost-effective deployment on rooftops or for the integration in solar hot water systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications

et al. 2012

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In this paper we introduce a model and an optimization methodology for terrestrial solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs). We describe, discuss, and justify the necessary constraints on the STEG geometry that make the STEG optimization independent of individual dimensions. A simplified model shows that the thermoelectric elements in STEGs can be scaled in size without affecting the overall performance of the device, even when the properties of the thermoelectric material and the solar absorber are temperature-dependent. Consequently, the amount of thermoelectric material can be minimized to be only a negligible fraction of the total system cost. As an example, a Bi 2 Te 3 -based STEG is optimized for rooftop power generation. Peak efficiency is predicted to be 5% at the standard spectrum AM1.5G, with the thermoelectric material cost below 0.05 $/W p . Integrating STEGs into solar hot water systems for cogeneration adds electricity at minimal extra cost. In such cogeneration systems the electric current can be adjusted throughout the day to favor either electricity or hot water production.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications

et al. 2012

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“…3, in order to facilitate the finite element analysis, the TEG legs and sandwiching material are fractionally divided into isometric elements along the leg height of the TEG. [23][24][25][26][27][28] For the purpose of predigesting the model, the assembly with the TE material and sandwiching material is regarded as a composite wall.…”

Section: Heat Transfer Model In Y Directionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact Factors Analysis of the Hot Side Temperature of Thermoelectric Module

Zhang

Tan

Yang

2017

Journal of Elec Materi

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The thermoelectric generator (TEG) plays a crucial role in converting the waste energy of exhaust into electricity, which ensures energy saving and increased fuel utilization efficiency. In the urban driving cycle, frequent vehicle operation, like deceleration or acceleration, results in continuous variation of the exhaust temperature. In order to make the operating performance stable, and to weaken the adverse effects of the frequent variation of the exhaust temperature on the lifetime and work efficiency of the electronic components of TEG systems, the output voltage of the thermoelectric (TE) module should stay more stable. This article provides an improved method for the temperature stability of the TE material hot side based on sandwiching material. From the view of the TEG system's average output power and the hot side temperature stability of the TE material, the analyzing factors, including the fluctuation frequency of the exhaust temperature and the physical properties and thickness of the sandwiching material are evaluated, respectively, in the sine and new European driving cycle (NEDC) fluctuation condition of the exhaust temperature. The results show few effects of sandwiching material thickness with excellent thermal conductivity on the average output power. During the 150-170 s of the NEDC test condition, the minimum hot side temperatures with a BeO ceramic thickness of 2 mm and 6 mm are, respectively, 537.19 K and 685.70 K, which shows the obvious effect on the hot side temperature stability of the BeO ceramic thickness in the process of acceleration and deceleration of vehicle driving.

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“…With solar concentration of 669 suns, a system efficiency of 3% was measured for a commercial Bi 2 Te 3 module with output power of 1.8 W. Using novel thermoelectric materials such as n-type ErAs: (InGaAs) 1-x (InAlAs) x and p-type (AgSbTe) x (PbSnTe) 1-x , a conversion efficiency of 5.6% can be achieved for a STG at 120× suns. Recently, Li et al [19] proposed an experimental prototype concentration solar thermoelectric generator with improved total conversion efficiency. They developed a theoretical model of the concentration solar thermoelectric generator system to predict system performance based on the best available properties of different bulk thermoelectric materials found in the literature, including Bi 2 Te 3 , skutterudite, and silver antimony lead telluride alloys.…”

Section: Solar Thermoelectric Power Generation (Steg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Analyses of Thermoelectric Renewable Energy Sources

Jarman¹,

Khalil²,

Khalaf³

2013

OJEE

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The recent energy crisis and environmental burden are becoming increasingly urgent and drawing enormous attention to solar-energy utilization. Direct solar thermal power generation technologies, such as, thermoelectric, thermionic, magneto hydrodynamic, and alkali-metal thermoelectric methods, are among the most attractive ways to provide electric energy from solar heat. Direct solar thermal power generation has been an attractive electricity generation technology using a concentrator to gather solar radiation on a heat collector and then directly converting heat to electricity through a thermal electric conversion element. Compared with the traditional indirect solar thermal power technology utilizing a steam-turbine generator, the direct conversion technology can realize the thermal to electricity conversion without the conventional intermediate mechanical conversion process. The power system is, thus, easy to extend, stable to operate, reliable, and silent, making the method especially suitable for some small-scale distributed energy supply areas. Also, at some occasions that have high requirements on system stability, long service life, and noiselessness demand, such as military and deep-space exploration areas, direct solar thermal power generation has very attractive merit in practice. At present, the realistic conversion efficiency of direct solar thermal power technology is still not very high, mainly due to material restriction and inconvenient design. However, from the energy conversion aspect, there is no conventional intermediate mechanical conversion process in direct thermal power conversion, which therefore guarantees the enormous potential of thermal power efficiency when compared with traditional indirect solar thermal power technology [1].

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Design of a Concentration Solar Thermoelectric Generator

Cited by 151 publications

References 14 publications

Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications

Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications

Impact Factors Analysis of the Hot Side Temperature of Thermoelectric Module

Energy Analyses of Thermoelectric Renewable Energy Sources

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