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Life Cycle Assessment of Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) in an Automobile Application

Author

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  • Kotaro Kawajiri

    (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8569, Japan)

  • Yusuke Kishita

    (School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Yoshikazu Shinohara

    (Center for Green Research on Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan)

Abstract

In this paper, a possibility to reduce the environmental burdens by employing thermoelectric generators (TEGs) was analyzed with a cradle-to-grave LCA approach. An upscaling technique was newly introduced to assess the environmental impacts of TEGs over its life cycle. In addition to CO 2 emissions, other environmental impacts as well as social impacts were assessed using the Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method based on Endpoint Modeling (LIME2). The analysis was conducted under two scenarios, a baseline scenario with a 7.2% conversion efficiency and a technology innovation scenario with that of 17.7% at different production scales. The results showed that while GHG emissions were positive over the life cycle under the baseline scenario, it became negative (−1.56 × 10 2 kg-CO 2 eq/kg) under the technology innovation scenario due to GHG credits in the use phase. An increase in the conversion efficiency of the TEG and a decrease in the amount of stainless steel used in TEG construction are both necessary in order to reduce the environmental impacts associated with TEG manufacture and use. In addition, to accurately assess the benefit of TEG deployment, the lifetime driving distance needs to be analyzed together with the conversion efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kotaro Kawajiri & Yusuke Kishita & Yoshikazu Shinohara, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) in an Automobile Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13630-:d:698957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pasquale Marcello Falcone & Enrica Imbert, 2018. "Social Life Cycle Approach as a Tool for Promoting the Market Uptake of Bio-Based Products from a Consumer Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Nemet, Gregory F., 2006. "Beyond the learning curve: factors influencing cost reductions in photovoltaics," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(17), pages 3218-3232, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Saini, Prashant & Osorio, Julian D., 2025. "Review on phase change materials and thermoelectric generators for ocean thermal gradient applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).

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