A Review: Thermoelectric Generators in Renewable Energy

Abstract

In this paper, the role of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in conversion of geothermal energy into electrical energy has been presented. In addition, the structures of the TEGs used in the electrical energy production have been reported. The TEGs directly convert the thermal energy into the electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) technology is used in both the air–conditioning and the electrical energy generation. Also, the TE technology is eco–friendly as it has no greenhouse gas emissions, durable due to the absence of moving parts and is silent. However, the conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric modules (TEMs) used commercially is less than about 10%.

Keywords

• Renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy production, thermoelectric module, thermoelectric generator

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