Title: Solar thermoelectric generator

Abstract

Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) are solid state heat engines that generate electricity from concentrated sunlight. A novel detailed balance model for STEGs is provided and applied to both state-of-the-art and idealized materials. STEGs can produce electricity by using sunlight to heat one side of a thermoelectric generator. While concentrated sunlight can be used to achieve extremely high temperatures (and thus improved generator efficiency), the solar absorber also emits a significant amount of black body radiation. This emitted light is the dominant loss mechanism in these generators. In this invention, we propose a solution to this problem that eliminates virtually all of the emitted black body radiation. This enables solar thermoelectric generators to operate at higher efficiency and achieve said efficient with lower levels of optical concentration. The solution is suitable for both single and dual axis solar thermoelectric generators.

Inventors:

Toberer, Eric S.; Baranowski, Lauryn L.; Warren, Emily L.

Issue Date:

2016-05-03

Research Org.:

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1250438

Patent Number(s):

9331258

Application Number:

14/190,064

Assignee:

Colorado School of Mines (Golden, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

F24S10/45 - {the enclosure being cylindrical}
F24S20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
F24S80/54 - using evacuated elements

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DOE Contract Number:  

AR06704918

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2014 Feb 25

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

14 SOLAR ENERGY; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION