The energy and exergy examination of a thermoelectric ventilation system powered by photovoltaic/thermoelectric for space cooling and heating in a residential building

Abstract

In the present study, the thermoelectric ventilation (TEV) system, whose electricity is supplied by a system consisting of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) panels cooled with thermoelectric generators (TEGs), is used to supply the heating and cooling loads of a building located in Huaian city (Jiangsu, China). Two new parameters named Energy Proficiency Indicator (PIen) and Exergy Proficiency Indicator (PIex) are defined to determine the contribution of the CPV/TEG-TEV system in supplying the heating and cooling loads of the building. The value of these parameters is calculated for a base case. Then, the effect of concentration ratio, mass flow rate of supply air, area of PV module, number of TEGs, and number of thermoelectric coolers on the annual average of these parameters (i.e., PIen,ya and PIex,ya) is investigated. The results indicated that the PIen for September was obtained as the highest value (1.68) among the other months followed by February, March, and April. Moreover, April, May, and September exhibited the highest PIex; 26.4, 21.71, and 21.38, respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that both the PIen,ya and PIex,ya are improved by boosting the mass flow rate of supply air, area of PV module, number of TEGs, and number of thermoelectric coolers.