Battery charging considerations in small scale electricity generation from a thermoelectric module

C.E. Kinsella, O’Shaughnessy, S.M., M.J. Deasy, M. Duffy and A.J. Robinson

Applied Energy, 2014, vol. 114, issue C, 80-90

Abstract: This project involves the development of a prototype electrical generator for delivering and storing small amounts of electricity. Power is generated using the thermoelectric effect. A single thermoelectric generator (TEG) is utilised to convert a small portion of the heat flowing through it to electricity. The electricity produced is used to charge a single rechargeable 3.3V lithium–iron phosphate battery. This study investigates methods of delivering maximum power to the battery for a range of temperature gradients across the thermoelectric module. The paper explores load matching and maximum power point tracking techniques. It was found that, for the TEG tested, a SEPIC DC–DC converter was only beneficial for temperature gradients less than 100 °C across the TEG. At a temperature gradient of 150 °C, the effective resistance of the battery was close to the internal resistance of the TEG. For temperature gradients in excess of 100°C a DC–DC converter is not suggested and a simple charge protection circuit is sufficient.

Keywords: Thermoelectricity; Electricity generation; Load matching; Maximum power point tracking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (17)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.09.025

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