Thermoelectric Generator

Efficiency

• 5-8% - []

DIY Builds

• 14 Watts hackaday - [1]

Industry Standards

• 45W for $500 - [2]. Fan cooled.
• 100W max hot side temp is 300C? - [3] - $725 - [4]
• 70W - max hot side temp is 840F? -
• 60W liquid cooled - [5] - Don't exceed 900F on hot side.
• 50W siberian from a small stove - [6]
• 100W - German - http://thermalforce.de/engl/product/module/index.php
• 200W Swedish - [7]
• 500W Firevolt

Individual Modules

• $3 for 3W - [8]
• $5 for 3W - at 100C between 20C and 120C - [9]
• Cooling is low price - but we need TEG, not cooling. Cooling - $2 for 60W - or 3W at 5% efficiency - [10]
• Specs - [11]

Links

• Key link -Thermoelectrics offer to be competitive with other alternative sustainable energy sources - [12]
• Published report on a 150W initial design, which put out 14W in reality. -[http://www.harding.edu/olree/2009-10/senior%20design%20-%20final%20reports/thermoelectric%20generator/thermoelectric_generator_-_final_report.pdf
• Design paper on TEGs - [13]
• http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-news/high-power-thermoelectric-generator-utilises-thermal-difference-of-only-5c/175937/

Technical Design

• Best Resource as a Design Guide - tight packing fraction of modules appears to be a key requirement for higher power applications - [14] - as also seen in Firevolt.
• DOE design report - 500w on a 200 degree differential from car exhaust - [15]

Conclusions

• If accessible modules put out 3W (5% of 60W) and cost $2, then we have a 70 cent per watt cost in TEG modules at maximum efficiency. This translates to a practical 100W system at $70 in peltier cells, plus balance of system for heating and cooling. If a stove is used, and the cold water side is based on a simple radiator (which adds minimally to space heating) - the cost is feasible. Pump - [16] - 6W draw, but pump could probably be smaller. $20. Baseboard radiators for cool water heat rejection - $40x2. Aluminum heat sinks - that's the most expensive part - so use simple 1/8"x2"x2" square steel tubing at a dollar per pound. Should be doable at low cost of approximately $250 in parts, making this very competitive with PV prices. A 100W system can produce as much power as a 400W PV system that assumes 6 hrs of light per day. Equivalent PV cost of 65 cents per watt.