About Thermoelectric Power Generation

A thermoelectric power generator changes heat energy directly into electrical energy. In other words, it is conversion of heat energy into electrical energy during energy heat energy moving from high to low temperature spot. This conversion is power generation.

In all sorts of places around the world temperature differences exist in varying degrees. It is not too much to say that power generation sources exist limitlessly. It can be applied to a wide range of fields like house use or global use. Temperature as heat source can be used at wide range, from -200°C to 2,000°C.

Principles

Thermoelectric power generation is conducted, as in the diagram, by using a unit element that has a connected P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor. If one side of the unit is maintained at high temperature, and the other at low temperature, a heat flow will develop across the unit from the high temperature side to the low.
In other words, heat energy will flow into the element from the high temperature side and be discharged from the low temperature side. At this point, part of the heat energy flowing through the element will not be discharged but transformed into electrical energy, and can be taken as electric power by an external load as shown on the diagram. In this way, by connecting multiple unit elements of this kind, it is possible to obtain a greater amount of electric power.

Features

Thermoelectric power generation has unique features as shown below.

1.Uses a clean eco-friendly energy source
Doesn’t depend on fossil fuels or radioactive isotopes, generates power just from a temperature difference.
2.It is possible to obtain energy from utilizing every heat source on the Earth.
Heat sources in nature (solar heat, ocean heat, geothermal heat, human body heat etc)

Heat sources arising from human activity (Industrial waste heat, automobile waste heat, garbage incinerator waste heat and etc)
3.It is possible to obtain energy from a comparatively small temperature difference.
It is possible to generate power with a temperature difference of just a few tens of degrees.
4.Long life time
No moving parts and little wear out or degrade of system.

Example

•In the natural world…Solar heat/ Ocean heat/ Geothermal heat/ Heat from human bodies

•Waste heat…Heat from garbage incinerator / From automobiles/ Industrial waste heat/ From power stations/ From fuel sells

•Fuel heat…At burning of fossil fuel (liquid, gas etc)

•Atomic energy…Radioisotope

•Cold source…Liquefied gas

About Thermoelectric Power Generation