Thermoelectric Energy Generators for Harnessing Excess Thermal Energy: Thermoelectric Energy Sources for Sustainable Usage

Sustainable thermoelectric energy generation has the prospect of addressing current and future energy crises by utilizing the waste heat emitted by everyday appliances and equipment. The vast majority of literature has been directed towards semiconductor doping to achieve high figures of thermoelectric merit (ZT) for efficient energy conversion. By contrast, there is far less research on practical thermoelectric systems that are affordable, especially for underprivileged communities that cannot afford costly-yet-efficient devices such as solar panels. To address this, we present an alternative energy device employing the Seebeck and Peltier effects. Using thermoelectric generator modules (TEGs) configured as a 3 × 3 array of nine thermoelectric coolers (TECs) set between two 15.24 cm × 15.24 cm copper plates (overall module dimensions are 15.4cm × 15.4 cm × 15.0 cm, and temperature differences between hot and cold tap water, we achieved a Δ T=66 K and a peak open-circuit voltage of 3.5 V across the 0.0238 m² module surface area. This work offers insights into the design and development of this low-cost TEG and its promise for improving household energy efficiency in underpriveledged communities.