Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications
Modeling and optimization of solar thermoelectric generators for terrestrial applications
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DOI：
10.1016/j.solener.2012.01.025
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发表时间：
2012-05
期刊：
影响因子：
6.7
通讯作者：
D. Kraemer;K. McEnaney;M. Chiesa;Gang Chen
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
D. Kraemer;K. McEnaney;M. Chiesa;Gang Chen
在本文中，我们介绍了一个模型和优化方法，地面太阳能热电发电机（STEGs）。我们描述，讨论，并证明必要的约束的STEG几何形状，使STEG优化独立于个人的尺寸。简化模型表明，即使热电材料和太阳能吸收器的特性与温度有关，STEG中的热电元件的尺寸也可以缩放，而不会影响设备的整体性能。因此，热电材料的量可以被最小化到仅为总系统成本的可忽略的部分。例如，基于Bi 2 Te 3的STEG被优化用于屋顶发电。在标准光谱AM1.5G处，预测峰值效率为5%，热电材料成本低于0.05$/Wp。将STEG集成到太阳能热水系统中用于热电联产，以最小的额外成本增加电力。在这种热电联产系统中，可以全天调节电流以有利于电力或热水生产。
In this paper we introduce a model and an optimization methodology for terrestrial solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs). We describe, discuss, and justify the necessary constraints on the STEG geometry that make the STEG optimization independent of individual dimensions. A simplified model shows that the thermoelectric elements in STEGs can be scaled in size without affecting the overall performance of the device, even when the properties of the thermoelectric material and the solar absorber are temperature-dependent. Consequently, the amount of thermoelectric material can be minimized to be only a negligible fraction of the total system cost. As an example, a Bi2Te3-based STEG is optimized for rooftop power generation. Peak efficiency is predicted to be 5% at the standard spectrum AM1.5G, with the thermoelectric material cost below 0.05$/Wp. Integrating STEGs into solar hot water systems for cogeneration adds electricity at minimal extra cost. In such cogeneration systems the electric current can be adjusted throughout the day to favor either electricity or hot water production.