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Innovative Thermoelectric Generation for Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Earth's Radiative Cooling

This study explores utilizing radiative cooling of the Earth to generate electricity through thermoelectric technology. The theoretical framework, construction details, advantages, commercial viability, and results are discussed. The atmospheric window theory and governing equations for heat flow are explained, highlighting the potential of this eco-friendly energy generation method. The research demonstrates that a football field area could power a house, and micro thermoelectric generators could reduce required space significantly. Although there are limitations related to area, locations, and environmental factors like humidity, the system's cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability make it a promising alternative energy source with low maintenance costs.

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Innovative Thermoelectric Generation for Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Earth's Radiative Cooling

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  1. Thermoelectric Generation by Radiative Cooling of the Earth Adam Vore Stella Kim Jung Hye Lee Jovani Tafoya

  2. Overview • Need/Purpose • Theory • Theoretical vs. Actual Data • Construction • Advantages/Disadvantages • Commercial Viability • Results/Conclusion

  3. Need/Purpose • Solar Cells need sunlight • Electricity is needed at night • Maximizing generated power

  4. Atmospheric Window Theory Blackbody curve for a body at 300K • The Atmosphere is clear • In the 8-14mm range • Most of the radiation of a 300K body is in the “Atmospheric window” Governing Equation

  5. Theory P • Voltage is generated by temperature difference • Power is generated by heat flow Governing Equations

  6. Theory • Heat Flow Governed by Boltzmann radiation law • Typical values for Thot and Tcold are • Thot =15oC (air temperature) • Tcold=-50oC (sky radiometric temperature) Governing Equations

  7. Theory -60oC Photon path 5oC T.E. Generator 15oC • Net Radiation flux out • Heat flow

  8. Data • Performance was better than expected • Probably due to Thermoelectric element not covering entire area of emmitter • Measurements taken with the following equipment • 1 Apogee instruments infrared thermometer for sky temp • 1 Vaisala Weather station for air temp • 1 Campbell Scientific CR1000 datalogger for voltage measurements

  9. Construction • Aluminum reflectors • Copper Emmiters • Foam Insulation • Thermoelectric • Epoxy • Dry ice • Voltage meter

  10. Advantages ECONOMICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL • SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES • LESS MAINTENANCE FEE • ECO-FRIENDLY

  11. Disadvantage LIMITED AREAS • LOCATIONS • HUMIDITY • SEASON

  12. Commercial Viability • A Football field could generate 50kW • For a 1MW powerplant, you’d need 20 football fields • At a cost of $2/cm2 it would cost $66,000,000 per football field • Costs would go down with a high level of production • Target cost of $30,000 per football field • Low maintenance costs (cleaning)

  13. Results/Conclusion • A football field could power a house (average daily residential use: ) • Micro thermoelectric generator can reduce the area required Standard thermoelectric generator mini thermoelectric generator 3.6 mm2 – 38.44 cm2 2.5 mm2 – 1.2 mm2

  14. High start up costs : $50,000 Solar panel : $ 11,500 wind turbine: minimum $ 2,000/kW

  15. Inexpensive maintenance • Cost effective in long-term (Average monthly electricity bill: $95.66) Pays back after 26 yrs

  16. Sustainable Environmentally friendly 

  17. Questions? • Please direct all your questions toward Jovani

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