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More than half reduction in price per watt of thermoelectric device without increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit of materials

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  • Hwang, Junphil
  • Kim, Hoon
  • Wijethunge, Dimuthu
  • Nandihalli, Nagaraj
  • Eom, Yoomin
  • Park, Hwanjoo
  • Kim, Jungwon
  • Kim, Woochul

Abstract

In a power generation system, the price per watt ($/W) is an important parameter to be considered for checking the feasibility for practical implementation. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate that $/W of a thermoelectric device can be reduced to around 60%. The conventional approach to reducing $/W in thermoelectrics is to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) of the thermoelectric materials used, which can increase the power output (W). We propose that $/W can be reduced by lowering the material consumption ($) with a slight sacrifice in power output by changing the device architecture. A simple calculation suggests that zT∼6 is needed for such a reduction in $/W based on the conventional approach. This method can be accompanied by a search for high-zT material so that further reduction in $/W can be achieved with efficient thermoelectric materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwang, Junphil & Kim, Hoon & Wijethunge, Dimuthu & Nandihalli, Nagaraj & Eom, Yoomin & Park, Hwanjoo & Kim, Jungwon & Kim, Woochul, 2017. "More than half reduction in price per watt of thermoelectric device without increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit of materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1459-1466.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:205:y:2017:i:c:p:1459-1466
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.080
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Mesalam, Ramy & Williams, Hugo R. & Ambrosi, Richard M. & García-Cañadas, Jorge & Stephenson, Keith, 2018. "Towards a comprehensive model for characterising and assessing thermoelectric modules by impedance spectroscopy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 1208-1218.
    3. Song Lv & Zuoqin Qian & Dengyun Hu & Xiaoyuan Li & Wei He, 2020. "A Comprehensive Review of Strategies and Approaches for Enhancing the Performance of Thermoelectric Module," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Yusuf, Aminu & Ballikaya, Sedat, 2022. "Electrical, thermomechanical and cost analyses of a low-cost thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    5. Fan, Zeng & Zhang, Yaoyun & Pan, Lujun & Ouyang, Jianyong & Zhang, Qian, 2021. "Recent developments in flexible thermoelectrics: From materials to devices," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).

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    Keywords

    Generation cost; Thermoelectric device;

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