Assessment of Solar Energy Conversion Technologies-Application of Thermoelectric Devices in Retrofit an Office Building

Abstract

Thermo electric (TE) devices offer an opportunity to introduce renewable energy into existing and new buildings. TE devices harvest energy from the temperature differential between the hot and cold side of a semiconductor material. In this study, the feasibility of integration of TE devices using the model of a generic enclosure will be explored. Some of these applications will involve the use of these devices as heat exchangers. However, these devices will be examined for their use in harvesting energy to provide the electric service for an office. Since demanded energy for some electronic devices can be generated directly, provided energy has the potential to take those loads off from the distribution. Besides, generated electricity expected to be replaced a greater amount of grid electricity for the periods when TE is generating. This paper represents a critical step for performing an analysis of using the proposed TE system in an office.