An Analysis of Phase Change Material for Heat Retainment of Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting System at Asphalt Pavement

This study proposes a thermoelectric energy harvesting system (TEHs) utilizing waste heat from asphalt pavement surfaces. The primary objective is to investigate the influence of subterranean heat conduction through varying geometric configurations. The models comprise an asphalt base layer, a top aluminum plate (hot side), and a bottom aluminum plate (cold side) for the thermoelectric generator (TEG). Only the top plate is exposed at pavement level, enabling direct solar radiation absorption. This research aims to develop a cost-effective, renewable micro-energy harvesting method harnessing both thermoelectric and latent heat effects. Additionally, a realistic TEHs model is designed, incorporating phase change material (PCM) atop the top plate for heat storage. The inclusion of PCM resulted in a significant 59% increase in TEG output voltage, from 0.84 V (without PCM) to 1.34 V, with a maximum temperature difference (ΔT) of 36.44°C compared with 15.55°C without PCM. Furthermore, the system with PCM successfully charged two 10-farad supercapacitors within 60 min, demonstrating its potential as an efficient alternative to existing renewable energy solutions.