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Thermoelectric Generators on Satellites—An Approach for Waste Heat Recovery in Space

Author

Listed:
  • Marian Von Lukowicz

    (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Elisabeth Abbe

    (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Tino Schmiel

    (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Martin Tajmar

    (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

Abstract

Environmental radiation in space (from the Sun, etc.) and operational thermal loads result in heat flows inside the structure of satellites. Today these heat flows remain unused and are collected, transported to a radiator and emitted to space to prevent the satellite from overheating, but they hold a huge potential to generate electrical power independently of solar panels. Thermoelectric generators are a promising approach for such applications because of their solid state characteristics. As they do not have any moving parts, they do not cause any vibrations in the satellite. They are said to be maintenance-free and highly reliable. Due to the expected small heat flows modern devices based on BiTe have to be considered, but these devices have no flight heritage. Furthermore, energy harvesting on space systems is a new approach for increasing the efficiency and reliability. In this paper, different systems studies and applications are discussed based some experimental characterisation of the electrical behaviour and their dependence on thermal cycles and vibration.

Suggested Citation

  • Marian Von Lukowicz & Elisabeth Abbe & Tino Schmiel & Martin Tajmar, 2016. "Thermoelectric Generators on Satellites—An Approach for Waste Heat Recovery in Space," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:7:p:541-:d:73908
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. He, Wei & Zhang, Gan & Zhang, Xingxing & Ji, Jie & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Recent development and application of thermoelectric generator and cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-25.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ravi Anant Kishore & Roop L. Mahajan & Shashank Priya, 2018. "Combinatory Finite Element and Artificial Neural Network Model for Predicting Performance of Thermoelectric Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Tayfun Uyanık & Emir Ejder & Yasin Arslanoğlu & Yunus Yalman & Yacine Terriche & Chun-Lien Su & Josep M. Guerrero, 2022. "Thermoelectric Generators as an Alternative Energy Source in Shipboard Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Peter Spriggs & Qing Wang, 2020. "Computationally Modelling the Use of Nanotechnology to Enhance the Performance of Thermoelectric Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Davide Di Battista & Roberto Cipollone, 2023. "Waste Energy Recovery and Valorization in Internal Combustion Engines for Transportation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-28, April.
    5. Jing-Hui Meng & Hao-Chi Wu & Tian-Hu Wang, 2019. "Optimization of Two-Stage Combined Thermoelectric Devices by a Three-Dimensional Multi-Physics Model and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Martí Comamala & Ivan Ruiz Cózar & Albert Massaguer & Eduard Massaguer & Toni Pujol, 2018. "Effects of Design Parameters on Fuel Economy and Output Power in an Automotive Thermoelectric Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-28, November.
    7. Park, Hwanjoo & Eom, Yoomin & Lee, Dongkeon & Kim, Jiyong & Kim, Hoon & Park, Gimin & Kim, Woochul, 2019. "High power output based on watch-strap-shaped body heat harvester using bulk thermoelectric materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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