International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 03 | Mar -2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Floating TEG Integrated Solar Panel Hybrid Energy Harvesting System Parth Kuchroo1, Hemant Bhatia2, Ekambir Sidhu3 1Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Punjabi University, Patiala, India Department of Mechanical Engineering, Punjabi University, Patiala, India 3Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Punjabi University, Patiala, India 2
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Abstract - This paper presents an energy harvesting system
energy, which is one of the available abundant energy resources is the most efficient way of generation of electrical energy. Solar energy has been considered as a cost effective source of renewable energy available in abundance in ambient surroundings [2]. The solar harvesting system employing solar panels are used in conversion of light energy into electrical energy by the process of photovoltaic energy generation [3].The efficiency of the solar devices depend on the radiant intensity of the sun rays and the area of the device being exposed to incident light rays. The Earth receives sun rays at a rate of 1300 Watts power per hour per meter every day [4], although of which 30 percent is reflected back, still it produces a reel-staggering of 4.2 kilowatt-hours of energy per meter each day [5]. Thermoelectric technology has attracted the world's attention with its capability of generating electrical power by converting thermal energy into electrical energy using electrons as its "working fluid" [6].The thermoelectric generator employs Seebeck and Peltier effect to convert heat directly into electrical energy and vice versa, through the movement of charge carriers induced by a temperature gradient developed across the TEG [7]. TEG is extremely popular in applications of waste heat harvesting as the input thermal power for the TEG's in operating environment is essentially free. The larger the temperature gradient across the TEG, the more electrical power it will generate [8]. A single thermocouple is generally made up from two ‘pellets’ of semi-conductor material usually made from bismuthtelluride (Bi2Te3), which is known for its low thermal conductivity and high power factor. The thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of thermoelectric generator can be calculated as [9][10]:
employing Thermoelectric Generators (TEG) integrated with Solar panel. The proposed system has been so designed that it is able to harvest both solar energy as well as thermal energy simultaneously, resulting it to be termed as hybrid EH system. In the proposed research work, the solar radiations are made to fall on the solar panel, which is efficient enough to harvest the light radiations falling on it. But these radiations result in the heating up of the solar panel, leading to the reduction in its efficiency. The thermoelectric generators are employed at the back side of the solar panel which absorb this heat and generate an electrical output if suitable temperature gradient is maintained across its both the surfaces. The suitable heat sink employed for the TEG’s is the continuous water flow from the waterfalls which helps in sustaining the appropriate temperature difference across its faces. The solar panel installed is able to generate voltage between +9 Volt to +12 Volt while the thermoelectric generators placed at the rear side are able to generate an average voltage between +3 Volt to +6Volt. When the two pairs of six TEG’s (in series) are connected in parallel, the average output power obtained is 898.54 milli-Watts while the two pairs of six TEG’s (in parallel) are connected in series, the average output power obtained is 230.57 milli-Watts. The former arrangement of array of thermoelectric generators is found to be 49.7 percent more efficient compared to later one in still water conditions. The harvested energy by solar panel and TEG’s is proficient enough to charge a +12 Volt rechargeable battery. Key Words: battery, floating thermoelectric generator, hybrid EH system, polyurethane foam, running water
1. INTRODUCTION With the advent of new technology, the demands of energy have also arisen leading to increment in the exploitation of the natural resources. But with these sources being limited, we have to search for other alternatives. There are several potential environmental energy sources available from “natural” environment such as sun light, wind or geothermal energy [1]. The harvesting of the sun’s light and heat
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where, S = Seebeck coefficient of TEG module σ = electrical conductivity of TEG module T = temperature gradient between the TEG faces
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