Performance analysis of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) for waste heat recovery

In this study, the potential of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for converting waste heat into electrical energy was investigated as a solution to increasing energy demand and environmental challenges. The performance of a TEG module, based on fundamental thermoelectric principles such as the Seebeck and Peltier effects, was analyzed through a detailed theoretical modeling that incorporated temperature-dependent material properties as well as electrical and thermal contact resistances. The analysis was conducted for a module consisting of 127 Bismuth Telluride (Bi₂Te₃) elements, and the performance was evaluated as a function of the load resistance to internal resistance ratio ( ). Simulation results confirmed that maximum power output is achieved when the load resistance equals the internal resistance ( ). Under this condition, the module delivered approximately 2.50 W of power with a thermal efficiency of 4.05%. Moreover, it was observed that maximum efficiency occurred at a load resistance ratio higher than that corresponding to maximum power. These findings indicate a trade-off between power and efficiency in TEG design, highlighting that the optimal operating point should be determined according to specific application objectives. The developed model provides a reliable tool for the efficient design and optimization of TEG systems.