Application of the thermoelectric heat exchange module combined with renewable energy for UK domestic heating

Abstract

This thesis proposes a theoretical study which mainly utilizes experimental test, quantitative data statistics, case study and scenario simulation to ascertain the feasibility of developing a thermoelectric (TE) heating system powered by renewable energy to service for the UK domestic heating demands, and further compete with current domestic heating system to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Experimental study results of the space heating application of TE modules in a laboratory environment (19 ◦C-21 ◦C) and outside courtyard low-temperature environment (1 ◦C-5 ◦C) demonstrate that sufficient temperature difference can be achieved with TE modules so as to satisfy UK thermal comfort levels. The heating COP test results of TE modules also suggest an acceptable heat pump efficiency for the domestic heating application. In order to ascertain the potential feasibility of applying renewable energy to power TE modules for supporting the domestic heating, the detailed case study presents a simulated domestic heating application of TE modules to a Pre-1900s mid-terrace UK dwelling using hybrid renewable energy of solar energy and wind energy. Relevant calculation results reveal that a TE heating system, powered by local hybrid renewable energy and energy storage, can partly meet the domestic heating demand and could achieve a theoretical energy saving efficiency of 64.93% and reduce the CO2 emission of 3927.72 kg/year compared with using generic electric heater for the domestic space heating whilst the average heating COP remains at 1.8. These suggest that TE modules can potentially be a solution for domestic indoor space heating whilst using renewable electricity. Consequently and for further evaluating the feasibility of universally applying TE heating system in the UK domestic context, more scenario simulations regarding the domestic heating application of TE modules with hybrid energy supply in different properties across England and Wales are proposed. The simulation results show that with the heating support of TE modules powered by renewable energy, the domestic heating demands can be independently meet for 2-6 months per year (exclude June, July and August) in most common property types and 4-9 months per year in bungalows. Especially in some domestic scenarios of the UK southern regions, both of the domestic heating demands and hot water demands can be potentially meet without extra grid-supply throughout the year. More relevant estimation results suggest that the domestic heating application of TE modules with hybrid energy supply in various scenarios can save minimum 56.11% annual grid electricity consumption in comparison with employing generic electric heaters powered by the grid electricity, and can save 2.89%-84.82% CO2 emission in comparison with condensing boiler heating by burning natural gas, respectively. Meanwhile during some warm months, the excess renewable energy outputs which are not requested by the domestic heating demands can potentially be used to supply the domestic hot water and electric demands which will contribute with more grid energy saving and CO2 emission reduction.