A novel solar-powered closed-Brayton-cycle and thermoelectric generator integrated energy system with thermal storage for lunar base: Modeling and analysis

Kunlin Cheng, Jiahui Li, Zekuan Liu, Wente Pan, Jiang Qin and Wuxing Jing

Energy, 2025, vol. 317, issue C

Abstract: One of the most important preconditions for the construction and operation of lunar base is the sufficient energy supply. In this paper, a novel solar-powered closed-Brayton-cycle and thermoelectric generator (CBC-TEG) integrated energy system coupling with in-situ thermal storage is proposed for the lunar base, and the according performance assessment model including a Daytime mode and two Nighttime modes, are established. Results indicate that the optimal compressor pressure ratio (πC) for total power generation efficiency decreases with the inlet temperature of compressor (T1), and a reasonable T1 is necessary to balance the power, efficiency, optimal πC and the required radiator area. For the operation strategy of constant thermal storage unit (TSU) temperature drop at moon nighttime, the total power generation efficiency of Daytime mode is as high as 35.83 %, but the change of efficiency and radiator area is too dramatic. When the energy system operates at a constant radiator area, it should store more heat into TSU, rather than convert heat into electricity during the lunar daytime, to maintain a continuous running of CBC-TEG at the nighttime. This research provides an innovative solution for the all-day electricity supply of lunar base.

Keywords: Lunar base; Closed-Brayton-cycle; Thermoelectric generator; Power generation; Thermal storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225003573
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:317:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225003573

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134715

Access Statistics for this article

Energy is currently edited by Henrik Lund and Mark J. Kaiser

More articles in Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().