The optimization of thermoelectric generator array for harnessing electrical power from air conditioning unit

• Main Authors: Cruz, Robert Anthony M., Enero, Nod Dek S., Samonte, Edgar Francis O.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10972
• Institution: De La Salle University

We live in a world where innovations and development are in process and a significant amount of energy is in demand with the consumption of energy, it is also wasted and should be kept minimized by any means. Wasted energy such as heat is found to be a good source of alternative energy. Heat is abundant and oftentimes generated by electrical equipment. The energy harnessed can be stored and utilized using proper power management, thus minimizing waste and conserving energy. The project not only aims on the utilization of harnessed energy for power but also to establish a system that will not depend mainly on electrical energy provided by an electrical source but rather use electrical energy converted from wasted heat energy and save electrical cost. TEG or Thermoelectric is a unique type of transducer that is capable of converting any heat source directly into electrical energy by using the concept of Seebeck Effect. The configuration created for harnessing the waste heat from the air conditioning unit focuses on utilizing the Seebeck Effect by means of installing a cooling system to the cold side of the TEG array, and a copper plate on the hot side of the TEG array to spread the heat evenly on the hot side of the TEG array to attain the highest voltage possible. The electrical output attained will be fed to a DC-DC boost converter boost the voltage to power up certain devices or charge a battery.