Experimental analysis and modeling of a thermoelectric generator

Energy harvesting is one of the most important challenges in the current century. Among other technologies, thermoelectric energy conversion, which uses heat to generate electricity, has very strong potential. The aim of this project is to analyze the electrical performance of a thermoelectric generator. In the first chapter, after some short historical mentions, are described the main thermoelectric effects (Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, Thomson effect and Joule effect) and the thermoelectric module, highlighting its principal elements and its operating modes. In chapter 2 are described the DC_DC converters and MPPT algorithms used to optimize the performances of the thermoelectric generators. In chapter 3 are introduced the models that represent the thermal and electrical behavior of the thermoelectric generators. Theese models allow us to develop a simulation of the device object of this thesis in Matlab Simulink environment. Chapter 4 analyzes the test bench's configuration used to evaluate the theoretical model previously analyzed. We will also characterize the components that make up the system. Finally, in chapter 5, the obtained results are discussed.