Competing technologies

Abstract

In general it can be assumed that there exists a potential market for TPV systems anywhere that an electrical power source is required. Hence, in order to identify suitable TPV applications, this chapter reviews other deployed and emerging electricity generating technologies. In TPV literature, competing technologies discussed have included internal heat engine generators, solar PV systems, electro-chemical cells and direct heat-to-electricity converters. The latter category includes thermoelectric, thermionic and alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs). The three electro-chemical cell types are primary (battery), secondary (rechargeable battery) or tertiary (fuel cell). © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.