A Temperature Gradient based Harvesting of Solar Energy using a TEG Device

There has been an increasing demand for energy since the last decade especially due to the rapid depletion of non-renewable sources of energy. Technological advancements in the area of renewable sources of energy has been ever since increasing utilizing wind, solar bio gas sources of energy for power generation. A more recent research interest is towards tapping of solar energy from saline lakes or ponds which are manmade. It proves to be a cost effective strategy over the solar radiation harvesting using solar cells for small power generation system. Research analysis and contributions have reported temperatures ranging from 700–800C being trapped in the saline solutions of the lake which could be effectively utilized for energy harvesting. The proposed work aims to derive energy based on the concept of thermo electric devices which constitute a current flow due to differences in the temperature gradient of the saline solution. Salinity-gradient solar ponds can collect and store solar heat at temperatures up to 80C. As a result, these water bodies act as a renewable source of low grade heat which can be utilized for heating and power generation applications. In addition to utilizing thermo electric modules as power generators in this paper, A potential advantage of such a system is its ability to continue to provide useful power output at night time or on cloudy days because of the thermal storage capability of the solar pond.