Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) and Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) Modeling and Optimal Operation Points Investigation

Abstract

Sustainable energy is gradually becoming the norm today due to greenhouse warming effects; as a result, the quests for different renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells as well as energy efficient electrical appliances are becoming popular. Therefore, this article explores the alternative energy case for thermoelectricity with focus on the steadystate mathematics, mixed modelings and simulations of multiple TEGs and TECs modules to study their performance dynamics and to establish their optimal operation points using Matlab and Simulink. The research substantiates that the output current from TEGs or input current to TECs, initially respectively increases the output power of TEGs and the cooling power of TECs, until the current reaches a certain maximum optimal point, after which any further increase in the current, decreases the TEGs' and or TECs' respective output and cooling powers as well as efficiencies, due to Ohmic heating and or entropy change caused by the increasing current. The research main contributions are elaborate easy to understand TEGs/TECs theoretical formulations as well as static and dynamic simulated models in Matlab/Simulink, that can be used initially to dynamically investigate an infinite quantity of TEG and TEC modules connections, be it in series and or in parallel. This is to assist system designers grasp TEGs and TECs theoretical operations better and their limits, when designing energy efficient waste heat recovery (using TEGs)/cooling (using TECs) systems for industrial, residential, commercial and vehicular applications.

Harvesting Electric Energy Using Thermoelectric Generators in a Residential Heating Application

“…To generate electricity, a TEG needs to be exposed to a temperature difference between the hot and cold sides. This temperature difference is due to heat transfer, and the rate of heat in watts absorbed by the hot side of a TEG [15,16] is given as:…”

Performance Analysis of a Thermoelectric Cooler Placed between Two Thermoelectric Generators for Different Heat Transfer Conditions

“…In (Bayendang et al, 2022), thermoelectricity is proposed as an alternative energy source (TEG) as well as an energy-saving load (TEC) for many applications requiring low DC power, cooling, and heating. It has been found that the output current from the TEG or the input current to the TEC initially increases the TEG output power and the TEC cooling power, respectively.…”