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Thin-film solar thermoelectric generator with enhanced power output: Integrated optimization design to obtain directional heat flow

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  • Zhu, Wei
  • Deng, Yuan
  • Gao, Min
  • Wang, Yao
  • Cui, Jiaolin
  • Gao, Hongli

Abstract

Thin-film STEGs (solar thermoelectric generators) show promise in effective use of solar energy as a power supply for wireless sensors and microscale devices. This paper reports a simulation procedure that aims to identify desirable heat flow and temperature distribution to improve the performance of thin-film STEGs. The temperature distribution, heat flux, and voltage of a thin-film STEG are simulated using the finite element method, resulting in an optimal design of the substrate, heat conductive layer, and thermoelectric legs of thin-film STEGs. The effect of air convection on the STEG's performance is also studied. Based on the simulation, a thin-film STEG was designed and fabricated, which exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 22 mV. In addition, the experimental results demonstrate that the measured temperature distribution is in good agreement with the simulated result. To minimize the heat loss from the passive region of the device, an improved design was created in an attempt to confine the heat flow within the thermoelectric legs. This improved design resulted in a 21.4% increase of the output voltage.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Wei & Deng, Yuan & Gao, Min & Wang, Yao & Cui, Jiaolin & Gao, Hongli, 2015. "Thin-film solar thermoelectric generator with enhanced power output: Integrated optimization design to obtain directional heat flow," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 106-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:89:y:2015:i:c:p:106-117
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.07.057
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    1. Ding, L.C. & Akbarzadeh, A. & Tan, L., 2018. "A review of power generation with thermoelectric system and its alternative with solar ponds," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 799-812.
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    3. Zhe Zhang & Yuqi Zhang & Xiaomei Sui & Wenbin Li & Daochun Xu, 2020. "Performance of Thermoelectric Power-Generation System for Sufficient Recovery and Reuse of Heat Accumulated at Cold Side of TEG with Water-Cooling Energy Exchange Circuit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Wu, Po-Hua & Lin, Yu-Li, 2018. "Performance optimization of thermoelectric generators designed by multi-objective genetic algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 211-223.
    5. Zhu, Wei & Tu, Yubin & Deng, Yuan, 2018. "Multi-parameter optimization design of thermoelectric harvester based on phase change material for space generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 873-880.
    6. Tappura, Kirsi, 2018. "A numerical study on the design trade-offs of a thin-film thermoelectric generator for large-area applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 78-87.
    7. Zhu, Wei & Deng, Yuan & Wang, Yao & Shen, Shengfei & Gulfam, Raza, 2016. "High-performance photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid power generation system with optimized thermal management," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 91-101.
    8. Zhe Zhang & Yafeng Wu & Wenbin Li & Daochun Xu, 2020. "Performance of a Solar Thermoelectric Power-Harvesting Device Based on an All-Glass Solar Heat Transfer Pipe and Gravity-Assisted Heat Pipe with Recycling Air Cooling and Water Cooling Circuits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.

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