Recent advances in thermoelectric power generation: Stand-alone and gridconnected applications

Abstract

Thermal power generation based on solid-state devices such as thermoelectric generators (TEG) has emerged as a potential alternative for clean energy generation, due mainly to their distinctive advantages such as technology innovation with increasing efficiency of cells, simplicity of allocation, high reliability, absence of fuel cost, low maintenance and lack of noise and wear due to the absence of moving parts. Furthermore, they characterize a clean, pollution-free and inexhaustible energy source when are powered by solar radiation. In addition to these factors are the recent irruption in the open market of various independent TEG module manufacturers and the significant cost reduction as a result of an augment in the world production. Consequently, TEGs are presently arising as a feasible option inside the portfolio of new sustainable energy sources and are becoming serious candidates for both, traditional stand-alone and new electric grid-connected generation applications, especially in hybrid applications using waste heat recovery. Based on these statements, this chapter presents a thorough review on recent advances in developing thermoelectric power generation, including major current applications. To this aim, fundamentals of thermoelectric power generation are firstly analyzed, then major TEG applications are described in-depth and eventually the dynamic modeling of the thermoelectric power generating system are presented, including the TEG modules and the design of the power electronic devices for connecting to the load in accordance with the given applications.