Enhanced laser wireless power transmission efficiency with a novel PV-TEG hybrid receiver: dual thermal management and energy recovery

Laser wireless power transmission (LWPT) has emerged as a transformative solution for medium and long-distance energy delivery, offering a reliable alternative to traditional cable-based systems. However, thermal management and residual energy recovery remain critical challenges at the receiver end, particularly under prolonged high-intensity laser exposure. In this study, a novel hybrid receiver integrating photovoltaic (PV) cells and thermoelectric generators (TEG), termed the PV-TEG system, is proposed and analyzed for the first time in LWPT applications. The PV-TEG system not only enhances energy utilization efficiency but also mitigates the thermal stress on PV cells by converting unused residual heat into supplemental power via the thermoelectric effect. A comprehensive multiphysics simulation model, validated experimentally, was developed to evaluate the thermal, electrical, and optical performance of the PV-TEG system under various laser power levels and atmospheric turbulence intensities. The results reveal that the PV-TEG receiver significantly reduces the operating temperature of PV cells by up to 31.94 K compared to conventional PV-only receivers. This effective thermal management improves the open-circuit voltage and maximum power output of the PV cells, achieving an overall power improvement of 25.81% over standalone PV receivers. Furthermore, under moderate atmospheric turbulence, the PV-TEG system exhibits a notable increase in output power, with enhancements of up to 66.06%. While strong turbulence introduces uneven energy distribution, the PV-TEG receiver maintains superior performance by leveraging its dual energy recovery capability. The study also demonstrates that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of PV cells in the PV-TEG system stabilizes at over 48%, while the thermoelectric conversion efficiency steadily increases with higher laser power. The findings establish the PV-TEG system as a robust and efficient LWPT receiver, capable of addressing key limitations such as thermal degradation and atmospheric energy losses. This pioneering work provides a solid foundation for the practical deployment of PV-TEG receivers in terrestrial, aerospace, and space-based energy applications, marking a significant advancement in the field of wireless power transmission.