Thermal Energy Harvesting from Wildlife

14th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications

物理学;能源学

Woias, P.^1 ; Schule, F.^1 ; Bäumke, E.^1 ; Mehne, P.^1 ; Kroener, M.^1

Laboratory for Design of Microsystems, IMTEK, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 102, Freiburg

79110, Germany^1

关键词: Body temperature;    Electric output;    Measurement campaign;    Measurement of temperature;    Temperature differences;    Thermoelectric (TEG);    Thermoelectric energy;    Tracking system;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/557/1/012084/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/557/1/012084

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

In this paper we present the measurement of temperature differences between the ambient air and the body temperature of a sheep (Heidschnucke) and its applicability for thermoelectric energy harvesting from livestock, demonstrated via the test of a specially tailored TEG system in a real-life experiment. In three measurement campaigns average temperature differences were found between 2.5 K and 3.5 K. Analytical models and FEM simulations were carried out to determine the actual thermal resistance of the sheep's fur from comparisons with the temperature measurements. With these data a thermoelectric (TEG) generator was built in a thermally optimized housing with adapted heats sink. The whole TEG system was mounted to a collar, including a data logger for recording temperature and TEG voltage. First measurements at the neck of a sheep were accomplished, with a calculated maximal average power output of 173 μW at the TEG. Taking the necessity of a low-voltage step-up converter into account, an electric output power of 54 μW is available which comes close to the power consumption of a low-power VHF tracking system.