A Primer on Thermoelectric Generators

Narducci, Dario; Bermel, Peter; Lorenzi, Bruno; Wang, Ning; Yazawa, Kazuaki

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-76427-6_2

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For this reason, the incoming power is constant, and the maximum efficiency corresponds to the efficiency at maximum output power, often called the maximum power point (MPP). This is a general result applicable to engines working in a constant flux regime , and thus keeps valid for hybrid devices for which the TEG efficiency at MPP corresponds to its maximum efficiency …”

Section: Working Principlesmentioning

confidence: 57%

Hybrid Thermoelectric–Photovoltaic Generators under Negative Illumination Conditions

Lorenzi

2021

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper analyses the working principles of hybrid thermoelectric photovoltaic generators under negative illumination (also referred to as thermoradiative configuration). These kinds of systems combine a thermoradiative photovoltaic cell (TR-PV cell) and a thermoelectric generator (TEG), placed in thermal contact with each other. In this configuration, the TR-PV part cools while irradiating toward the cold sky. For this reason, in addition to the generation of electrical output, the cell can set a difference of temperature (ΔT) across the TEG legs. A theoretical model describing the behavior of these kinds of hybrid devices is reported as a function of the emitter energy gap and temperature, the sky temperature, and the ΔT across the TEG. In analogy with the positive illumination case, the key parameter is found to be the cell temperature sensitivity, which sets the convenience of the hybrid approach. The results show that while the hybrid power density is in general smaller than the sole TR-PV case, a wide window of positive efficiency gains exists. This is possible because the outgoing power density varies with the cell temperature, in contrast with the positive illumination case where the incoming power density is fixed by the temperature of the Sun. This work sets the first theoretical attempt to understand the convenience of TR-hybrid thermoelectric–photovoltaic generators (TR-HTEPVG), quantitatively assessing the suitability of these novel kinds of devices.

show abstract

Section: Working Principlesmentioning

confidence: 57%

Hybrid Thermoelectric–Photovoltaic Generators under Negative Illumination Conditions

Lorenzi

2021

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It should be noted that raising

either by decreasing

or by increasing the power factor is in no way equivalent. While they both concur at defining efficiency, only PF sets the power density

delivered by a TEG with a leg length ℓ over a given temperature difference

[ 25 ]:

…”

Section: Silicon: From To Its Practical Usabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances on Thermoelectric Silicon for Low-Temperature Applications

Narducci

Giulio

2022

Materials

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Silicon is the most widely used functional material, as it is geo-abundant and atoxic. Unfortunately, its efficiency as a thermoelectric material is very poor. In this paper, we present and discuss advances of research on silicon and related materials for thermoelectric applications, mostly focusing on the comparison between the two strategies deployed to increase its performance, namely either reducing its thermal conductivity or, in polycrystalline materials, increasing its power factor. Special attention will be paid to recent results concerning silicon thin films. The enhancement of Si performances has motivated efforts to develop integrated heat microharvesters operating around room temperature, which will be reviewed also in view of their applications to power wireless sensors for the Internet of Things.

show abstract

“…As for any heat engine, TEG power output scale with its conversion efficiency η TEG and the heat flux (in W m −2 ). Conversion efficiency depends in turn on the materials property through the materials thermoelectric figure of merit zT T 2 sa k = (where σ is the electrical conductivity, α is the Seebeck coefficient, κ is the thermal conductivity, and T is the absolute temperature) and with the temperature of the hot and cold sink the device exchange heat with [9].…”

Section: Energy and Power Capabilities Of Tegsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…subscripts p and n label transport coefficients of the p and n-type legs. The device efficiency may then be written as[9] subscripts C and H refers to the cold and the hot sink, respectively, while T…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric harvesters and the internet of things: technological and economic drivers

Narducci

2019

J. Phys. Energy

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spectacular growth of networks of intercommunicating sensing nodes has generated a request for alternate, renewable power sources. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs), either conventional or integrated, are possible candidates. This paper analyzes the usability of TEGs as alternate power sources for wireless sensor network. It is shown how TEGs meet power requirements of low-power sensing nodes and how they outperform batteries as of the installation costs. Factors still hampering TEG wider use are also reviewed and commented upon, and an outlook at specific applications where TEGs might be rapidly deployed is provided.

show abstract

A Primer on Thermoelectric Generators

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

Hybrid Thermoelectric–Photovoltaic Generators under Negative Illumination Conditions

Hybrid Thermoelectric–Photovoltaic Generators under Negative Illumination Conditions

Recent Advances on Thermoelectric Silicon for Low-Temperature Applications

Thermoelectric harvesters and the internet of things: technological and economic drivers

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About