Abstract
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the performance of a novel model that incorporates a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and phase change material (PCM). The proposed model passively generates electricity using waste heat that accumulates at exterior wall surfaces. The main generator is a TEG. To maintain the temperature difference between the two sides of the TEG, PCM is located at its cold side—thus converging the heat transferred into latent heat. The proposed passive generation system is formed into a TEG-PCM block. The block can be stacked to form a wall or inserted into any part of a building that faces the sun. The experiment setup is based on a constant temperature method. The wall temperature profile is set according to solar radiation, convection, and radiative heat transfer. To replicate daily wall temperatures during the experiment, a heat plate is used to match a wall temperature profile. Step control was used for the heating plate. The resulting data shows the average temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the TEG to be 10-20°C. The peak generated electricity was 0.08 W for a single module.
Highlights
Energy harvesting has become an important factor for newly constructed buildings
There are many methods for generating energy in buildings, but this study focuses on passive generation—in particular, harvesting waste heat accumulated on exterior walls
2.3.2 thermoelectric generator (TEG)-phase change material (PCM) block and applications The proposed TEG-PCM module is designed to be integrated into building blocks to form a TEG-PCM block (Figure 4)
Summary
As zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) become mandatory, they will require measures that enable generating energy on their own. For a building to achieve net-zero energy, reducing loads is insufficient; buildings need to supply their own energy. There are many methods for generating energy in buildings, but this study focuses on passive generation—in particular, harvesting waste heat accumulated on exterior walls. Many of the main technologies that are applied to ZEBs are associated with controlling heat on walls. Heat on walls has to be prevented in summer to avoid unnecessary cooling loads [1]. In any season, the exterior surface of a wall reaches temperatures higher than those of its indoor surface [2]. By using exterior wall heat to generate energy, buildings can utilize heat that is otherwise wasted and reduce cooling loads
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