Forecasting thermoelectric power generation through utilization of waste heat from building cooling systems based on simulation

Abstract

The transformation of sustainable energy use is one of the main challenges facing the world today. Waste heat from industrial processes and conventional power plants is one form of energy waste that is often wasted. In this context, research on thermoelectric energy conversion systems is a very relevant and important topic to research. This research investigates about the potential for utilizing thermoelectric elements with stacked materials that utilize waste heat from building cooling systems. Numerical simulation was chosen to carry out further analysis regarding the potential energy produced and the efficiency of the materials used. Three-dimensional design and ANSYS is used as a three-dimensional simulation analysis tool. The research results show that thermoelectric systems with stacked materials have the potential to produce energy from waste heat. Material (Cu₂Se⁺, BiTe⁺) (Bi₂S₃^-, CuFeS^-) with 10 mm legs has the highest output power of 32.82 mW whereas (PbSe⁺, BiTe⁺) (Bi₂S₃^-, AgInSe^-) with a leg length of 20 mm has the highest efficiency value of 25.97%, and a power value of 6 .92mW. Full system research can produce values ​​that more closely resemble actual conditions.