Battery Charging Considerations in Small Scale Electricity Generation from a Thermoelectric Module
File Type:
PDFItem Type:
Journal ArticleDate:
2014Access:
openAccessCitation:
C.E. Kinsella, S.M. O'Shaughnessy, M.J. Deasy, M. Duffy, A.J. Robinson, Battery Charging Considerations in Small Scale Electricity Generation from a Thermoelectric Module, Applied Energy, 114, 2014, 80 - 90Download Item:
Battery Charging Considerations in Small Scale Electricity Generation from a Thermoelectric Module (pre-print).pdf (Accepted for publication (author's copy) - Peer Reviewed) 925.3Kb
Abstract:
This project involves the development of a prototype electrical gen
erator for delivering and storing small amounts of
electricity. Power is generated using the thermoelectric effect. A single thermoelectric generator (TEG) is utilised to
convert a small portion of the heat flowing
through
it to electricity. The electricit
y produced is used to charge a single
rechargeable 3.3 Volt lithium
-
iron phosphate battery. This study investigates methods of delivering maximum power to
the battery for a range of temperature gradients across the thermoelectric module. The paper explore
s load matching
and maximum power point tracking techniques. It was found that, for the TEG tested, a SEPIC DC
-
DC converter was
only beneficial for temperature gradients less than 100
⁰
C across the TEG. At a temperature gradient of 150
⁰
C, the
effective re
sistance of the battery was close to the internal resistance of the TEG. For temperature gradients in excess of
100
°
C a DC
-
DC converter is not suggested and a simple charge protection circuit is sufficient.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/arobinshttp://people.tcd.ie/oshaugse
Description:
PUBLISHED
Author: Robinson, Anthony; O'Shaughnessy, Seamus
Type of material:
Journal ArticleSeries/Report no:
Applied Energy114
Availability:
Full text availableSubject (TCD):
International Development , Smart & Sustainable PlanetDOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.09.025ISSN:
0306-2619Licences: