Performance analysis of a hybrid energy harvester incorporating a thermoelectric generator and phase-change material through annual experiments

Yong-Kwon Kang, Soo-Jin Lee, Seheon Kim, Yujin Nam and Jae-Weon Jeong

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 242, issue C

Abstract: Energy harvesting using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) leverages the Seebeck effect to convert temperature differences into electricity. As zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) demand efficient energy use, integrating TEGs with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) offers a passive means to enhance solar panel efficiency by utilizing waste heat. Hybrid energy harvesters (HEHs) incorporating phase-change materials (PCMs) further stabilize thermal environments, improving TEG performance. This study demonstrated that the HEH system increased annual electricity generation by 4.38 %, producing 133.4 kWh/m2 compared to 127.8 kWh/m2 for conventional BIPVs. TEGs contributed 2.26 kWh/m2, or 1.7 % of the additional energy harvested. Seasonal experiments showed up to 14.3 % efficiency improvement in summer, with surface temperatures reduced by 10 °C. These findings highlight the HEH system's capability to enhance energy efficiency and address real-world challenges in sustainable building applications.

Keywords: Thermoelectric generator (TEG); Microencapsulated phase-change material (mPCM); Hybrid energy harvester (HEH); Year-round experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:242:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125001260

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122464

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