Thermoelectric power generation: Properties, application and novel TCAD simulation

Gould, Chris ORCID: 0000-0002-8433-0546, Shammas, N. Y. A., Grainger, Stephen and Taylor, I. (2011) Thermoelectric power generation: Properties, application and novel TCAD simulation. In: Proceedings of the 2011 14th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications. IEEE Xplore. ISBN 9781612841670

Text (Peer Reviewed Version) 11640 Gould, C., Shammas, N. Y. A., Grainger, Stephen., Taylor, I., (2011)Thermoelectric_power_generation_Properties_application_and_novel_TCAD_simulation.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (625kB)

Abstract

This paper documents the testing of commercial thermoelectric modules when they are connected for thermoelectric power generation, the design of a thermoelectric energy harvesting system, and the novel 3D TCAD simulation of a thermoelectric couple when it is connected for thermoelectric power generation. A standard thermoelectric module will generate a small amount of electrical power, typically in the milli-watt range, if a temperature difference is maintained between two sides of the device. With the addition of relatively simple electronic signal-conditioning techniques - for example low power step-up DC to DC conversion, coupled with electrical energy storage in supercapacitors, the electrical power output from a thermoelectric power generation system can be increased to a useful and stable level. The electrical power generated by a thermoelectric energy harvesting system, designed in this way, can be used to provide electrical power to other low power electronic systems - for example electronic sensors, low power microcontrollers, and replace or recharge batteries in many applications. The 3D TCAD simulation model of a thermoelectric couple successfully demonstrates the basic principle of thermoelectric power generation, and how the application of a temperature gradient to a thermoelectric couple results in a small amount of electrical power being generated at a load resistor. The 3D TCAD simulation model will enable further investigation in the future into different material structures, thermoelectric couple and module designs, and the improvement in thermoelectric performance and efficiency.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	UoG subscribes to IEEE, therefore UoG current members can access the full text via the publisher link.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Thermoelectric Energy; Generation of Electrical Energy; Renewable Energy Systems; Device Modeling; Device Simulation
Related URLs:	Publisher
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Applied Business & Technology
Depositing User:	Kate Greenaway
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2022 09:40
Last Modified:	03 Aug 2023 13:21
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/11640

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