Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert a temperature difference into useful direct current (DC) power. TEGs are solid-state semiconductor devices that are generating a lot of interest for energy harvesting purposes in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This paper analyzes the behavior of state...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2603 |
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| author | Yuming Liu Jordi-Roger Riba Manuel Moreno-Eguilaz Josep Sanllehí |
| author_facet | Yuming Liu Jordi-Roger Riba Manuel Moreno-Eguilaz Josep Sanllehí |
| author_sort | Yuming Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert a temperature difference into useful direct current (DC) power. TEGs are solid-state semiconductor devices that are generating a lot of interest for energy harvesting purposes in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This paper analyzes the behavior of state-of-the-art TEGs designed for low temperature gradient operation, with special emphasis on IoT systems for health monitoring for high-voltage alternating current (AC) and DC applications. In such applications, the energy harvesting unit plays a leading role in supplying wireless sensors (WSs). An application example is also presented with the aim to monitor the health condition of devices installed in the tubular busbars found in electrical substations. Since substation busbars heat up due to the Joule effect, there is a small thermal gradient between the busbar and the ambient, so the TEG can convert this heat flow into useful DC energy to supply low-power WSs. This paper assesses the performance of different TEG devices for this application, where very low temperature gradients are expected. The results presented show that with temperature gradients as low as 5 °C it is possible to supply WSs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:12:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-804c81ee934141b289f2637c4d73d796 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:12:06Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-804c81ee934141b289f2637c4d73d7962023-11-16T18:58:06ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-02-01134260310.3390/app13042603Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy HarvestingYuming Liu0Jordi-Roger Riba1Manuel Moreno-Eguilaz2Josep Sanllehí3Electrical and Electronics Engineering Departments, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Rambla Sant Nebridi 22, 08222 Terrassa, SpainElectrical and Electronics Engineering Departments, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Rambla Sant Nebridi 22, 08222 Terrassa, SpainElectrical and Electronics Engineering Departments, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Rambla Sant Nebridi 22, 08222 Terrassa, SpainSBI Connectors, Sant Esteve Sesrovires, Albert Einstein, 5, 08635 Sant Esteve Sesrovires, SpainThermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert a temperature difference into useful direct current (DC) power. TEGs are solid-state semiconductor devices that are generating a lot of interest for energy harvesting purposes in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This paper analyzes the behavior of state-of-the-art TEGs designed for low temperature gradient operation, with special emphasis on IoT systems for health monitoring for high-voltage alternating current (AC) and DC applications. In such applications, the energy harvesting unit plays a leading role in supplying wireless sensors (WSs). An application example is also presented with the aim to monitor the health condition of devices installed in the tubular busbars found in electrical substations. Since substation busbars heat up due to the Joule effect, there is a small thermal gradient between the busbar and the ambient, so the TEG can convert this heat flow into useful DC energy to supply low-power WSs. This paper assesses the performance of different TEG devices for this application, where very low temperature gradients are expected. The results presented show that with temperature gradients as low as 5 °C it is possible to supply WSs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2603energy harvestingpower systemssolid-state thermoelectric generatorwireless sensors |
| spellingShingle | Yuming Liu Jordi-Roger Riba Manuel Moreno-Eguilaz Josep Sanllehí Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting Applied Sciences energy harvesting power systems solid-state thermoelectric generator wireless sensors |
| title | Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting |
| title_full | Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting |
| title_fullStr | Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting |
| title_short | Application of Thermoelectric Generators for Low-Temperature-Gradient Energy Harvesting |
| title_sort | application of thermoelectric generators for low temperature gradient energy harvesting |
| topic | energy harvesting power systems solid-state thermoelectric generator wireless sensors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2603 |
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