Converting Heat To Electricity Using Thermoelectric Module

Abstract

This paper involves the development of a prototype that uses heat to generate electricity using thermoelectric modules. The electricity is generated using the Seebeck effect. When there is a temperature difference on each side of the thermoelectric module it produces a voltage which is called the Seebeck effect. The power generated from a single module is very small but sufficient power can be generated by coupling this module in series. The Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) module will be used to generate electricity because it is much cheaper and reliable. The TEC works as a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) that generates electrical energy when one side of the device is heated and the other side is cooled. From a burning candle or other heat sources, a TEC can easily produce 1.25 ~ 1.75 volts with the help of a heatsink on the cooling side. Although the voltage may vary from module to module.