Analysis of different Hybrid TEG/TEC Configurations

The growing demand for electricity and the looming environmental crisis are the main challenges to be faced and solved today. This calls for innovative energy conversion systems, for which efficiency and reliability are among the most sought-after features. Thermoelectric generators are devices that can offer partial or complete solutions to these challenges of the new millennium. The advantages of these technologically advanced devices are many: they are environmentally friendly, reliable and have a long service life. Furthermore, by applying thermoelectric generators, it is possible to improve the efficiency of existing systems or meet the electricity demand of different systems with high flexibility. At the same time, their low conversion efficiency has so far prevented their wide application, limiting them mainly to research. However, recent advances in thermoelectric materials and devices are pushing this technology to find its place among state-of-the-art energy conversion systems. This review explores the state of the art in terms of research and solutions already on the market, in order to illustrate a comprehensive and realistic perspective of the PV-TEG/TEC structures.