Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting 2012-2022: Devices, Applications, Opportunities

• Publication date: July 2012
• Report size: 106 pages

Thermoelectric generators are devices which convert temperature differences into electrical energy. The principle phenomenon that underpins thermoelectric energy generation is known as the Seebeck effect: the conversion of a temperature differential into electricity at the junction of two materials. Although thermoelectric phenomena have been used for heating and cooling applications quite extensively, electricity generation has only seen...

Thermoelectric generators are devices which convert temperature differences into electrical energy. The principle phenomenon that underpins thermoelectric energy generation is known as the Seebeck effect: the conversion of a temperature differential into electricity at the junction of two materials.

Although thermoelectric phenomena have been used for heating and cooling applications quite extensively, electricity generation has only seen very limited market in niche applications and it is only in recent years that interest has increased regarding new applications of energy generation through thermoelectric harvesting.

The new applications are varied and the vertical markets benefiting from new devices range from condition monitoring in industrial environments, smart metering in energy market segments, to thermoelectric applications in vehicles, either terrestrial or other.

This report gives an overview of devices, materials and manufacturing processes, with a specific focus on emerging technologies that allow for new functionality, form factor and application in various demanding environments. Whether it is operation in high temperatures or corrosive environments, applications with increased safety demands or components that need to be thin, flexible, or even stretchable, there is a lot of research and development work worldwide which is highlighted.

Included in the report are interviews with potential adopters of thermoelectric energy harvesters and their views of the impact that the technology could have over their respective industries. Some of the application sectors include:

Waste heat recovery systems in vehicles: A large number of car companies, including Volkswagen, VOLVO, FORD and BMW in collaboration with NASA have been developing thermoelectric waste heat recovery systems in-house, each achieving different types of performance but all of them expecting to lead to improvements of 3-5% in fuel economy while the power generated out of these devices could potentially reach up to 1200W.

Wireless sensor network adoption. Wireless sensors powered by thermogenerators in environments where temperature differentials exist would lead to avoiding issues with battery lifetime and reliability. It would also lead to the ability to move away from wired sensors, which are still the solution of choice when increased reliability of measurement is necessary. Some applications have low enough power demands to operate with small temperature differentials, as small as a few degrees in some cases. These types of developments increase adoption trends.

Consumer applications: In these applications, the type of solution that thermogenerators provide varies: it could be related to saving energy when cooking by utilising thermo-powered cooking sensors, powering mobile phones, watches or other consumer electronics, even body sensing could become more widespread with sensory wristbands, clothing or athletic apparel that monitor vitals such as heart rate, body temperature, etc.

Finally, utilising solid assumptions based on the knowledge acquired through extensive primary research and the understanding of the way existing and new markets develop over time, 10-year IDTechEx market forecasts are included in the report.

Global Electric Power Energy Industry

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. The Seebeck and Peltier effects
2.2. Designing for thermoelectric applications
2.3. Thin Film Thermoelectric Generators
2.4. Material choices
3. OTHER PROCESSING TECHNIQUES
3.1. Manufacturing of flexible thermoelectric generators
3.2. AIST Technology details
4. APPLICATIONS
4.1. Automotive Applications
4.1.1. BMW
4.1.2. Ford
4.1.3. Volkswagen
4.2. Wireless Sensing
4.2.1. TE-qNODE
4.2.2. TE-CORE
4.2.3. EverGen PowerStrap
4.3. Aerospace
4.4. Wearable/implantable thermoelectrics
4.5. Other applications
4.5.1. Micropelt-MSX
4.5.2. PowerPot™
4.5.3. Tellurex products
5. INTERVIEWS - COMMERCIALIZATION CONSIDERATIONS
5.1. Ford
5.2. Microsemi
5.3. MSX Micropelt
5.4. Rolls Royce
5.5. TRW
5.6. Volvo
6. MARKET FORECASTS
7. COMPANY PROFILES
7.1. Amerigon-BSST
7.2. EVERREDtronics
7.3. Ferrotec
7.4. Global Thermoelectric
7.5. greenTEG
7.6. Marlow
7.7. mc10
7.8. Micropelt
7.9. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST)
7.10. Nextreme
7.11. Perpetua
7.12. Romny Scientific
7.13. TEG Power
7.14. Tellurex
7.15. Thermolife Energy Corporation
APPENDIX 1: IDTECHEX PUBLICATIONS AND CONSULTANCY

Electricity Generation in World

Global Developed States Generation, Natural Gas, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global World Generation, Coal, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global Emerging Economies Generation, Natural Gas, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global Developed States Generation, Oil, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global World Generation, Oil, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Electric Power Energy in World

Global Emerging Economies Generation, Coal, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global World Generation, Natural Gas, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global Emerging Economies Generation, Oil, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World

Global Developed States Generation, Coal, % Of Total Thermal Electricity Generation

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2021
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI

• Industries : Electric Power Energy
• Countries : World