Recent Progress in Thermoelectric Power Generation Systems for Commercial Applications
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Recent Progress in Thermoelectric Power Generation Systems for Commercial Applications John W. LaGrandeur, Lon E. Bell and Douglas T. Crane Amerigon, 5462 Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, California 91706 ABSTRACT Thermoelectric (TE) devices are solid state heat engines that directly convert thermal to electrical power (Seebeck Effect) and the reverse, electrical to thermal power (Peltier Effect). The phenomena were first discovered over 150 years ago and until recently have been more of a scientific curiosity than a practical technology of commercial interest. However, as governments impose regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and as the long-term availability of fossil fuels is questioned, alternative technologies, including thermoelectrics, are being explored to meet the challenges that arise from these new conditions. Amerigon, the parent of BSST, is the largest supplier of thermoelectric (TE) devices to the automotive market. Over the last ten years BSST has been developing TE technology for the transportation market. Recent advancements at the system level made by BSST and improvements in TE materials made by several organizations indicate a path to improved performance and economic feasibility. This report discusses development of TE Generator (TEG) technology and of a TEG system installed in the power train of internal combustion engines for the purpose of converting waste heat to electric power. Our work has been made possible, in part, through sponsorship by the United States Department of Energy Office of Vehicle Technologies. The BMW Group, Ford Motor Company and Faurecia are partners in the BSST-led program. INTRODUCTION Global pressure to reduce greenhouse gasses created through the combustion of fossil fuels continues to rise. The EU is leading the way in sustainable emissions' reductionsi. Collectively the member states decided in 2008 to cut greenhouse gas emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. In doing so, targets have been set to meet 20% of the EU’s energy needs from renewable sources and to move towards 20% energy efficiency improvement. Specifically, the EU car market regulations include requirements for CO2 emissions levels to be less than 95 grams/CO2/km by 2020. In the United States, new CAFE levels slated for 2020 have been accelerated to begin in 2016. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced ii a first-ever program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as the largest pickup trucks and vans, semi trucks, as well as requirements for all related sizes of work trucks and buses. The proposed NHTSA standards represent an average per-vehicle improvement in fuel consumption of 15 percent for diesel vehicles and 10 percent for gasoline vehicles, compared to a common baseline. Because many CO2 emissions reduction technology options have been implemented and the prospect of a single ne
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