Advanced Thermo Electric Generator System (ATEGS)

Advanced Thermo Electric Generator System (ATEGS) turns waste heat into electricity.

Industrial and Agricultural Innovation

Altex Technologies Corporation

Recipient

San Jose, CA

Recipient Location

10th

Senate District

26th

Assembly District

beenhere

$1,222,850

Amount Spent

closed

Completed

Project Status

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Project Result

The project team has performed lab testing to evaluate the design options of the high and low temperature TEGS. Many different methods were tried including using different materials, processes, and brazing techniques before a suitable design was developed. The low temperature unit has been installed and has begun commissioning. The high temperature unit is still in the fabrication process.

The Issue

California has a vast amount of waste heat available that could be used to produce electricity, but there are relatively few installations of waste heat to power systems. Innovations are needed to more cost effectively utilize this waste heat energy. One technology to convert waste heat to power is thermoelectric generators (TEG). Current TEG power system competitiveness is limited by low efficiency and low net power output. In addition, the efficiency of single type TEG modules is lower when applied to broad waste heat temperature markets, thereby reducing the available markets that can be competitively addressed.

Project Innovation

This project is developing and demonstrating an advanced thermoelectric generator system (ATEGS) to produce electricity from waste heat. The recipient will use innovative, low-cost, durable, and very high heat flux Altex heat exchangers integrated with innovative high and low temperature Hi-Z TEG modules. They can be optimally aligned with the waste heat gas temperature profile to maximize efficiency and minimize cost. By matching TEG modules to the waste heat gas temperatures of interest and applying superior heat exchangers, a cost-competitive ATEGS can be manufactured for applications that cover almost all of the waste heat markets in California.

Project Goals

Develop a pilot-scale ATEGS prototype and complete validation and demonstration tests to prove performance and cost.

Support cost competitive distributed generation technology implementation in the State of California and beyond.

Project Benefits

This project combines state-of-the-art TEG modules with cutting-edge heat exchangers to create ATEGS configurations that will optimally address multiple waste heat markets at a competitive payback of less than 5 years. Electric power will be the primary output, with some applications also producing hot water in a retrofit package.

Affordability

California is estimated to have a 483 MWe waste heat to power market. If ATEGS penetrated 20% of that market, it would save ratepayers $72 million per year.

Economic Development

It is projected that during the first five years after commercialization, up to 20% of the market will be captured. If 20% of the market was penetrated, that would provide a cumulative sale value of $251 million.