Pulse-Green: Pulsating Energy Harvesting from Thermoelectric Semiconductors for Superior Green Power Generation

Challenge

Large amounts of surplus heat from industry and energy production are currently lost, even though this heat could potentially be converted into electricity. Thermoelectric generators can produce electricity directly from a temperature difference, but existing solutions typically have relatively low conversion efficiency and limited power output.

New approaches are therefore needed to make better use of waste heat and expand the potential of thermoelectric power generation.

Solution

Pulse-Green investigates a new concept combining thermoelectric semiconductors, magnetic fields and high-frequency switching. Heat generates a high electrical current in a thermoelectric loop, which is then converted into electrical power through rapid current switching and electromagnetic induction.

The project will develop and test the key components in the laboratory and integrate them into an initial prototype. The aim is to determine whether the concept can achieve significantly higher power output and energy efficiency than conventional thermoelectric generators and provide a basis for further scale-up.