Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications

By D. Kraemer, K. McEnaney, Matteo Chiesa, Gang Chen. 2012

154 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Abstract 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.

Subfields: Civil and Structural Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Chemistry

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/aa120b8f2eb15503e5c447a71a63d6ad97351361

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Civil and Structural Engineering

1. Zhifeng Ren
2. Weishu Liu
3. Zhiting Tian
4. Sangyeop Lee
5. Gang Chen
6. D. Kraemer
7. K. McEnaney
8. Hosung Lee

In Electrical and Electronic Engineering

1. Zhifeng Ren
2. Gang Chen
3. D. Champier
4. A. McGaughey
5. Lidong Chen
6. Xun Shi
7. Li-dong Zhao
8. C. Uher

In Materials Chemistry

1. Gang Chen
2. Zhifeng Ren
3. Sangyeop Lee
4. Zhiting Tian
5. Weishu Liu
6. Q. Jie
7. D. Kraemer
8. K. McEnaney

Citations in the corpus

• Heat Transfer in Thermoelectric Materials and Devices (2013, background): “When such solar-thermoelectric generators are combined with solar hot-water systems as the topping cycle, entropy generation is reduced and economics becomes favorable [252].”
• Concentrating solar thermoelectric generators with a peak efficiency of 7.4% (2016, background): “However, the tracking of the sun required for the concentrating optics leads to a reduction of this intensity variation.(4) Nevertheless, CSTEGs with optical solar concentration should be optimized for maximum yearly energy output depending on its location and the level of optical concentration used”
• A review on thermoelectric renewable energy: Principle parameters that affect their performance (2014, background): “[183] predicted a peak efficiency of 5 with a thermoelectric material cost of below 0.”
• Thermoelectric generators: A review of applications (2017, background): “[162] also proposed to integrate STEGs in solar hot water vacuum tube systems for cogeneration application, which shows potential to provide cost-competitive domestic hot water and electricity.”
• Generating Light from Darkness (2019, unknown): “28,29 Related to this, we note that the radiative cooling surface used here is black over solar wavelengths, and thus the device tested could function as a solar thermoelectric generator during the day-time.”
• Optimal design of thermoelectric devices with dimensional analysis (2013, background): “Introduction Thermoelectric devices (thermoelectric generator and cooler) have found comprehensive applications in solar energy conversion [1], exhaust energy conversion [2,3], low grade waste heat recovery [4,5,6], power plants [7], electronic cooling [8], vehicle air conditioners, and refrigerator”