Thermoelectric materials allow for the generation of electric power at the site where generated power is consumed, similar to the events in a solar cell. It can generate both electric power and cooling at the same time, with a Seebeck effect and Pertier effect. Many materials are thermoelectric related material. Thermoelectric materials generate electric energy utilizing a temperature difference between two materials presently some two third of generated heat in being discharged as waste heat. If such waste heat is recovered as a usable electric energy, the thermal efficiency will be improved dramatically. Thermoelectric materials are those which convert thermal energy into an electric energy directly. Figure 1 illustrates the thermal energy conversion principle. A system which applies the thermoelectric conversion principle may serve as an electric power generation system as a distributed power source which utilizes waste heat. Theoretically it is applicable in the utilization of waste heat generated by refuse incineration facilities, home gas equipment, etc.
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