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Exergetic analysis of a solar thermoelectric generator

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  • Ohara, B.Y.
  • Lee, H.

Abstract

Recently, thermoelectric modules have been considered as possible replacement to solar photovoltaic system due to its potential for combined heat and power. In the designs of solar thermoelectric cogeneration systems, a careful compromise has to be made between thermal energy and electrical power. For practical purposes, electrical power is preferred over heat energy. However, due to the current low conversion efficiencies of thermoelectric materials, increasing electrical power generation causes the overall combined efficiency to suffer. This study proposes an exergetic analysis of combined heat and power solar thermoelectric systems to maximize exergetic efficiency. The modeling is based on the previously investigated design of a solar thermoelectric generator for residential combined heat and power generation. The working conditions (cold side reservoir temperature and solar concentration) are varied to maximize exergetic efficiency without sacrificing too much electricity generation. The module geometry for thermal load matching is also suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Ohara, B.Y. & Lee, H., 2015. "Exergetic analysis of a solar thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 84-90.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:91:y:2015:i:c:p:84-90
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.08.030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sripadmanabhan Indira, Sridhar & Aravind Vaithilingam, Chockalingam & Narasingamurthi, Kulasekharan & Sivasubramanian, Ramsundar & Chong, Kok-Keong & Saidur, R., 2022. "Mathematical modelling, performance evaluation and exergy analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-solar thermoelectric system integrated with compound parabolic concentrator and parabolic trough con," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    2. 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.
    3. khanmohammadi, Shoaib & Saadat-Targhi, Morteza, 2019. "Performance enhancement of an integrated system with solar flat plate collector for hydrogen production using waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1066-1076.
    4. Jia, Yuting & Alva, Guruprasad & Fang, Guiyin, 2019. "Development and applications of photovoltaic–thermal systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 249-265.
    5. Nazri, Nurul Syakirah & Fudholi, Ahmad & Mustafa, Wan & Yen, Chan Hoy & Mohammad, Masita & Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman, 2019. "Exergy and improvement potential of hybrid photovoltaic thermal/thermoelectric (PVT/TE) air collector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 132-144.
    6. Shen, Zu-Guo & Wu, Shuang-Ying & Xiao, Lan & Yin, Gang, 2016. "Theoretical modeling of thermoelectric generator with particular emphasis on the effect of side surface heat transfer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 367-379.
    7. Sun, Henan & Gil, Sergio Usón & Liu, Wei & Liu, Zhichun, 2019. "Structure optimization and exergy analysis of a two-stage TEC with two different connections," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 175-191.

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