Estimation of the Availability of Electrical Energy from the Thermal Energy Extracted by Thermoelectric Modules: Case Study in Monterrey, México

This research proposes the utilization of Peltier modules to convert electrical energy from thermal energy to show its potential as a renewable energy source for residential and commercial application. The study, whose results are presented in this manuscript, was conducted in the city of Monterrey,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEnergies (Basel) Vol. 17; no. 17; p. 4239
Main Authors Montaño-Moreno, Julio C, Quiroga-Ocaña, Guillermo, Noriega, José R, Félix-Herrán, Luis C, Granados-Monge, Rodolfo, Benitez, Victor H, Jorge de-J Lozoya-Santos
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.08.2024
Subjects
Aeronautics
Alternative energy sources
Asphalt pavements
battery pack
Cooling
data regression
Design
Efficiency
Electricity
Electricity distribution
Experiments
Heat
Renewable resources
Semiconductors
Software
Solar energy
Temperature
thermal energy
thermal simulation
thermoelectric module
waste heat recovery
Mexico
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Summary:This research proposes the utilization of Peltier modules to convert electrical energy from thermal energy to show its potential as a renewable energy source for residential and commercial application. The study, whose results are presented in this manuscript, was conducted in the city of Monterrey, located in the northeast of Mexico. The energy source was tested and analyzed utilizing a set of statistical metrics and further comparison against experimental test results. The Distrito Tec area in Monterrey city is an academic complex and it was chosen for this study, which consisted of the indirect measurement of the average annual heat energy stored within the buildings’ cement structure. The aim was to obtain the annual accumulated electrical power in Wh per year that Peltier modules could provide in Distrito Tec, which is located in a city with solar irradiation levels above the world average. The proposal in this paper could encourage further investigation regarding this energy that is currently waste heat. More specifically, the results of this research highlight the importance of thermoelectric modules and seek to motivate research to improve their properties and make them more efficient and more viable as well. Thermoelectric modules have the potential to be part of the solution to sustainable development as presented in the United Nations SDG-7—ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
ISSN:1996-1073
DOI:10.3390/en17174239