Docket #: S20-222
Nighttime Electrical Power Generation via Radiative Cooling
Stanford researchers have designed a power generation system capable of working at off-grid and at night when solar cells are not effective. By combining a thermoelectric generator with radiative cooling, this system can generate nighttime power density over 2 W/m2, outperforming wind and radio frequency energy harvesting. The thermoelectric generator component represents less than 1% of the system footprint area, making this an economically accessible platform.
Stage of Research
Applications
- Off-grid, nighttime power generation
- Modular energy source:
- Agricultural, environmental or security sensors
- Lighting
- Digital communications
Advantages
- Low cost, off-grid
- Nighttime 2.2 W/m2 power density
- Outperforms other ambient energy harvesting techniques like wind or radio frequency
- Daytime performance estimated to be 3-4x higher than nighttime
Related Links
Similar Technologies
-
Automatic Power Exchange (APEX) for Distributed Energy Resource Networks S17-256Automatic Power Exchange (APEX) for Distributed Energy Resource Networks
-
High efficiency thermal radiation extraction for thermophotovoltaic cells, efficient heating and other applications S12-299High efficiency thermal radiation extraction for thermophotovoltaic cells, efficient heating and other applications
-
Intelligent control for coordinating distributed energy storage S16-384Intelligent control for coordinating distributed energy storage