Optimization of micro thermoelectric generator for renewable source of energy

Abstract

A micro thermoelectric generator (μTEG) is designed for converting concentrated solar heat into electrical energy. Optimization of thermoelectric material is carried out for the operating temperature. The variation of figure of merit with temperature is considered. Optimization of the design of μTEG is done by minimizing the electrical resistance. The source temperature is varied from 360 to 300 K. The cold side temperature is maintained at 270 K. The voltage, current, and power output of a lead telluride based single μTEG of size 10 μm × 10 μm × 5 μm is 0.012943 V, 9.41 × 10−6 A and 12 μW. To glow a 90WLED matrix with a driving voltage of 30 V the drive requirements are estimated as 2307 number of devices in series and 1166 number of devices in parallel and the space required is 2.4 cm × 1.2 cm.