Thermal harvesting and storage: a heavenly match

摘要

Energy harvesting is the process whereby a portion of energy is removed, captured, and stored from an existing source of unused but available energy. The use of thermoelectric power generators (TEGs), in which a temperature difference creates an electrical potential, can convert waste heat from thermal sources into electricity as an alternative source of energy.rnEnergy harvesting offers the opportunity to directly power devices such as wireless sensors, but the stability of the heat source must be considered if thermal energy is to be viewed as a reliable electrical energy source. Combining thin-film thermoelectric power generators with energy storage devices offers an ideal solution to manage variability in the energy source.