Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition
Global warming and air pollution concerns make renewable energies inevitable. Thermoelectric (TE) generators—solid-state devices which can convert thermal energy into electricity—are one of the candidates to capture the energy of the sun’s rays. Impact of high thermal o...
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MDPI AG
2018-09-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2425 |
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| author | Meysam Karami Rad Mahmoud Omid Ali Rajabipour Fariba Tajabadi Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl Alireza Rezaniakolaei |
| author_facet | Meysam Karami Rad Mahmoud Omid Ali Rajabipour Fariba Tajabadi Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl Alireza Rezaniakolaei |
| author_sort | Meysam Karami Rad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Global warming and air pollution concerns make renewable energies inevitable. Thermoelectric (TE) generators—solid-state devices which can convert thermal energy into electricity—are one of the candidates to capture the energy of the sun’s rays. Impact of high thermal on flat panel Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) performance is known. In this research, a method to optimize thermal concentration in realistic terrestrial condition is introduced. To this end, a Simulink model of the STEG was developed, and module performance curves are determined. According to the results, Thermal concentration in realistic condition is more than double, compared to standard condition. The efficiency of the STEG was 4.5%, 6.8%, and 7.7% when the module figure of merit (ZT) was set to 0.8, 1.2, and 1.5, respectively, in locations with a higher ratio of diffused radiation (e.g., Aalborg and Denmark). These values corresponded to 70%, 106%, and 121% of the electrical power produced by parabolic troughs under the same meteorological condition. Furthermore, the possibility of controlling the ratio of heat and electricity in the cogeneration system is possible by controlling the heating flow or electric current. Heating flow can be controlled by the electrical current in STEG over 17 percent of its value in optimum condition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:28:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-61d4c88a49e041869c9e926e5d29e17e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:28:54Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-61d4c88a49e041869c9e926e5d29e17e2022-12-22T02:54:19ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732018-09-01119242510.3390/en11092425en11092425Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological ConditionMeysam Karami Rad0Mahmoud Omid1Ali Rajabipour2Fariba Tajabadi3Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl4Alireza Rezaniakolaei5Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj 31787, IranDepartment of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj 31787, IranDepartment of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj 31787, IranMaterials and Energy Research Center, Imam Khomeini Blvd, Meshkin-Dasht, Karaj 31787, IranDepartment of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstraede 111, 9220 Aalborg, DenmarkDepartment of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstraede 111, 9220 Aalborg, DenmarkGlobal warming and air pollution concerns make renewable energies inevitable. Thermoelectric (TE) generators—solid-state devices which can convert thermal energy into electricity—are one of the candidates to capture the energy of the sun’s rays. Impact of high thermal on flat panel Solar Thermoelectric Generator (STEG) performance is known. In this research, a method to optimize thermal concentration in realistic terrestrial condition is introduced. To this end, a Simulink model of the STEG was developed, and module performance curves are determined. According to the results, Thermal concentration in realistic condition is more than double, compared to standard condition. The efficiency of the STEG was 4.5%, 6.8%, and 7.7% when the module figure of merit (ZT) was set to 0.8, 1.2, and 1.5, respectively, in locations with a higher ratio of diffused radiation (e.g., Aalborg and Denmark). These values corresponded to 70%, 106%, and 121% of the electrical power produced by parabolic troughs under the same meteorological condition. Furthermore, the possibility of controlling the ratio of heat and electricity in the cogeneration system is possible by controlling the heating flow or electric current. Heating flow can be controlled by the electrical current in STEG over 17 percent of its value in optimum condition.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2425solar thermoelectric generatoroptimizationcogenerationthermal concentration |
| spellingShingle | Meysam Karami Rad Mahmoud Omid Ali Rajabipour Fariba Tajabadi Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl Alireza Rezaniakolaei Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition Energies solar thermoelectric generator optimization cogeneration thermal concentration |
| title | Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition |
| title_full | Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition |
| title_fullStr | Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition |
| title_short | Optimum Thermal Concentration of Solar Thermoelectric Generators (STEG) in Realistic Meteorological Condition |
| title_sort | optimum thermal concentration of solar thermoelectric generators steg in realistic meteorological condition |
| topic | solar thermoelectric generator optimization cogeneration thermal concentration |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2425 |
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