11 University of Genoa, Italy Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica - DIME S.Barberis, L. Di Fresco, V.A. Santamaria, A. Traverso Speaker: Alessandra Cuneo ENERGY HARVESTER EXPLOITING SEEBECK EFFECT IN TRADITIONAL DOMESTIC BOILER Nice, 1 – 3 October 2014

How to Give Value to Waste Heat Autonomy and Energy Everywhere Energy Harvesting Energy Harvesting Energy Efficiency Autonomy for Remote Sensor Metering and Control Alpine Hut in Italy in Italy - 2 Mln of Trekkers in Europe Alpine Hut in Italy in Italy - 2 Mln of Trekkers in Europe

Energy harvesting and TEG Technology Sure and Solid Technology Modular and Scalable Cheap, no maintenance, exploitable everywhere Low Efficiency (0,6-3%), but able to exploit low ΔT

What is qb_HOT? PV Little Solar Concentrator Conductive patch Control Electronics Heat Sink 4 TEG cells 8 cm qb_HOT Possible Integration On the Market Components USB Charger USB Charger

What is belt_HOT? belt_HOT Traditional fossil and biomass boiler Energy Autonomy for Remote Metering sensors in pipelines etc. Modular Version

What is qb_HOT producibility? Conductive patch Control Electronics Heat Sink 4 TEG cells 8 cm qb_HOT Producibility is based on the thermal gradient exploitable in each situation and on the cold side temperature ΔT teg = (T h – T c ) qb_HOT mobile charger belt_HOT energy harvester

How Much does qb_HOT cost? 8 cm Thermal Patch 2€ + Heat Sink 2-3€ + 4 TEG cells 20 € + Step Up DC/DC 6 € + _____________________ TOTAL = 30 € On the Market Components Peltier Cells cost 80% less than TEG, similar technology, larger market today Price to the user: 50 – 60 € Price to the user: 50 – 60 € belt_HOT Depending on the number of TEG cells 150 – 250 € From 8-12,5 €/W to 4-6 €/W

belt_HOT Exploitation Scenario Detached House (20 kWt Gas Boiler) Detached House (20 kWt Gas Boiler) 3000 kWh/year belt_HOT configuration 6 belt made by 24 cells Total Pmax installed1 kW Power Output with ΔT = 80°C W Total Year Energy Saving200 kWh – 40 € - Auxiliaries Autonomy - Smart Docking Station - LED Lighting in the Garden

belt_HOT Exploitation Scenario Condo (500 kWt Gas Boiler) Condo (500 kWt Gas Boiler) 6000 kWh/year belt_HOT configuration 5-10 belt made by 120 TEG cells Total Pmax installed 4,2 – 8,4 kW Power Output with ΔT = 80°C 600 W -1,2 kW Total Year Energy Saving kWh – € - Common Parts Lightning - Energy Bill Cuts 20%

belt_HOT Exploitation Scenario Alpine Hut (20 kWt Biomass Boiler) Alpine Hut (20 kWt Biomass Boiler) Higher Thermal Gradient (120 – 160°C) - LED Lightning - Charging Plug In - Coupling with other typically RES generators present in a Hut (PV, mini wind…) and batteries belt_HOT configuration 4 belt made by 36 TEG cells Total Pmax installed1 kW Power Output with ΔT = 180°C W

Conclusion qb_HOT belt_HOT -The TEG is a heat recovery generator, even if it has a low efficiency (efficiency between 0,6 % to 3%) it can be easily incorporated in the structure of the heat source, producing whenever the boiler is on and guaranteeing a continuous and autonomous production as the maintenance is very light - Designing the TEG, a strong attention to the heat dissipation at the cold side - TEGs work with significant thermal gradient (70-100°C), so this technology can’t be coupled with more efficient heating system like condensing boiler - Prices of the Harvesters are nowadays quite high, but they can reduce their costs looking at current TEC technology costs and thanks to size effect.

12 University of Genoa, Italy Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica - DIME Thank you for your time