Thermoelectric Material Solutions for High Temperature Thermoelectric Generators

Today, about 60 % of the energy produced is lost as waste heat, the electricity generation sector being the largest contributor closely followed by the transportation sector and industry. As an example, more than 60% of the energy that goes into an automotive combustion cycle is lost, primarily to waste heat through the exhaust or radiator system. Thermoelectricity is a promising upcoming technology conversion of waste heat into electricity. Thanks to its ability to locally scavenge energy and features as no moving mechanical parts, high reliability and low maintenance need, many applications are being imagined for local energy production by the thermoelectric effect. Examples are exhaust heat recovery in cars and trucks, waste heat recovery in land based and off-shore industry and power generation in aeronautic and space applications. The vision of TEGma AS is to become a leading supplier of high temperature thermoelectric materials and thermoelectric modules for waste heat recovery applications. To achieve this, TEGma needs to develop high efficiency and high durability materials and module solutions and industrially scalable production processes for these. On the material side, TEGma has already succeeded in developing a high efficiency thermoelectric material. We have also identified and begun testing of a promising concept for metallization, bonding and packaging of a thermoelectric module. Going forward, the main focus of the project will be within the optimization of material, metallization and bonding technology, production of prototype thermoelectric modules and reliability testing of both individual components and complete modules.

About 60% of the primary energy production is never utilized. Most of this energy is rejected as waste heat, the electricity generation sector being the largest contributor closely followed by the transportation sector and industry. As an example, more th an 60% of the energy that goes into an automotive combustion cycle is lost, primarily to waste heat through the exhaust or radiator system. Thermoelectricity (TE)is a promising source of electric power, thanks to its ability to locally scavenge energy by converting a heat flow into electricity when placing a thermoelectric device (TEG) in a persistent thermal gradient. Even with a modest conversion yield, this would have huge benefits. As a consequence, many applications are being imagined for local ener gy production by the thermoelectric effect thanks to local heat leakages. Examples are exhaust heat recovery in cars and trucks, waste heat recovery in land based and off-shore industry and power generation in aeronautic and space applications. TEGma AS was established as a subsidiary of Scatec in 2012. The vision of TEGma is to become a leading supplier of high temperature TE materials for use in TEGs for waste heat recovery applications in the automotive and process industry. To achieve this, TEGma nee ds to develop high efficiency and high durability material solutions. On the material side, TEGma already works closely with the German Aerospace Center to develop high efficiency bulk TE materials and industrially scalable processes for the production of these. However, the thermoelectric materials also faces challenges related to thermal stability and issues related to the thermal and electrical connection of the elements into the finished thermoelectric generator. These challenges will be the main focu s of this R&D project which will be carried out in close cooperation with highly skilled experts within the relevant disciplines at Sintef Materials and Chemistry and the University of Agder.