Small-scale thermoelectric generator for off-grid power

Abstract

The goal of this research is to develop a small-scale energy resource that can be used by the survivors of a natural disaster event who are left without power. The desired energy resource is intended for low power applications (e.g. trickle charge of electronic devices such as mobile phones), should be small scale and inexpensive, and should not rely on battery power. It has been shown in the literature that thermoelectric generators (TEG) can utilize a temperature gradient and convert it into electricity. The hypothesis put forth in this research is to use the naturally occurring temperature gradient that exists in the soil and the thermal energy of the sun in order to create the temperature differential needed to produce power from a TEG. TEGs require a hot and a cold side to produce power. In this thesis, solar radiation collected from a black body is used to create the hot side of the TEG. To create the cold side, the earth is used as the heat sink to dissipate the heat. As long as there is a temperature differential, the TEG will produce energy. Direct solar radiation is ideal but even exposure to ambient temperature will work. This research will also investigate the situation when the low ambient temperature during the winter time allows the TEG to work backwards and still produce power. Through experimental case studies, we have studied the effectiveness of producing power through a TEG as well as a Peltier device under different configurations and weather conditions.