Zinc ion thermal charging cell for low-grade heat conversion and energy storage

Converting low-grade heat from environment into electricity shows great sustainability for mitigating the energy crisis and adjusting energy configurations. However, thermally rechargeable devices typically suffer from poor conversion efficiency when a semiconductor is employed. Breaking the convention of thermoelectric systems, we propose and demonstrate a new zinc ion thermal charging cell to generate electricity from low-grade heat via the thermo-extraction/insertion and thermodiffusion processes of insertion-type cathode (VO2-PC) and stripping/plating behaviour of Zn anode. Based on this strategy, an impressively high thermopower of ~12.5 mV K−1 and an excellent output power of 1.2 mW can be obtained. In addition, a high heat-to-current conversion efficiency of 0.95% (7.25% of Carnot efficiency) is achieved with a temperature difference of 45 K. This work, which demonstrates extraordinary energy conversion efficiency and adequate energy storage, will pave the way towards the construction of thermoelectric setups with attractive properties for high value-added utilization of low-grade heat.

Cost–Benefit Analysis of Solar Thermal Plants with Storage in a Hydrothermal System

Economic feasibility studies of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants with thermal energy storage (TES) systems have been mainly based on the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), disregarding the economic benefits to the electricity system resulting from the dispatchability of the CSP plants. The analysis of these benefits is essential since the existence of storage can provide greater operating flexibility to the system. Although there are few studies on the benefits of CSP plants in thermoelectric systems, this analysis has not yet been done in a predominantly hydroelectric system. In this paper, CSP plants with TES systems were inserted in a hydrothermal system in order to estimate the economic benefits and the net cost of electricity generated by those plants. The System Advisor Model (SAM) and the hydrothermal scheduling model DESSEM were used in a real case study of inclusion of CSP plants in the Brazilian system. The results indicate that the cost of a CSP plant, previously estimated by the LCOE, can be reduced by at least 37% when considering its benefits to a hydrothermal system, increasing its competitiveness with other technologies. Therefore, we propose the use of the net cost for an appropriate comparison among energy sources.

Optimization of the efficiency of permeable thermoelectric elements for air conditioner applicatons

The optimization of permeable thermoelement for thermoelectric air conditioner unit based is presented. In the thermoelectric air conditioner unit the air flow is cooled due to a combined action of thermoelectric effects and the Joule-Thomson effect. Methods for calculation of temperature distribution, determination of power conversion energy characteristics and thermoelement design in maximum COP mode are discussed. Results of computer studies for the case of thermoelement legs based on Bi2Te3 material have shown the possibility of COP increase by a factor of 1.6-1.7 as compared to conventional thermoelectric systems.

THE USE OF JADE IN THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEMS

The article presents the results of the research of a master student of the Institute of Architecture, Construction and Design of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education IRNITU, which were carried out in the preparation of the final qualification work. The article presents a literature review that showed that jade is one of the most favorable stones for heat transfer surfaces of heating systems and thermoelectric systems. On the basis of a patent search, the authors have shown that nephrite has not only medicinal properties, but also has good dielectric characteristics and has good thermal conductivity, heat transfer and heat capacity, these properties of nephrite will have a positive effect on human living conditions. The article shows that the applied technical solution will give thermoelectric devices additional competitive advantages.