Recycling Generator Winding Heat into Electrical Power: Thermoelectric Generation at Bilibili Hydroelectric Plant in Indonesia

The power losses from the generator winding are dissipated as heat, which can be harnessed as an alternative energy source and converted into electrical energy. This study calculates the power output of a thermoelectric generator that utilizes heat from the generator winding temperature. The case study focuses on the Bilibili Hydroelectric Power Plant generator in Gowa, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. At a minimum load of 6.60 MW with a winding temperature of 61.5 °C, the thermoelectric generator produces between 1,116.82 watts and 1,250.69 watts. At a load of 13.5 MW with a winding temperature of 79.1 °C, the electrical energy generated ranges from 2,616.60 watts to 3,048.3 watts. These results demonstrate that the heat energy produced by the generator winding can be effectively recycled and harnessed as an alternative energy source.