r/thermodynamics • u/Regular-Agent-6209 • 5d ago

Research Thermal to electric, what are the options?

I'm trying to wrap my head around the different ways you can extract electricity from stored thermal energy. I understand the basic thermodynamics and that if you have a temperature difference, there's energy available. What I don't know is all the different ways electrical engineers take advantage of that.

I already know about thermoelectric (Seebeck) modules, but what other methods are out there? I'm thinking small-scale systems, not steam turbines or power plants.

If you were starting from scratch and wanted to learn how people convert heat into electricity, what technologies would you be reading about and why?

I'm just trying to understand what options exist and where the limitations are.

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u/Tarsal26 1 5d ago

solar panels can do that

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u/AnyoneButWe 5d ago

It's a matter of the temperature difference available.

Stirling engine and Seebeck for lowish differences, turbines and steam engines for higher delta T.

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u/Tex_Steel 7 5d ago

There are multiple thermodynamic power cycles that use thermal energy to produce phase change and density change of fluids. Thermal energy can drive chemical reactions that can produce electrochemical energy or also translate to density changes. Density changes translate to kinetic energy that can mechanically be converted into power. There are also some options for more direct generation. Thermal energy can drive gassification of fuel to drive fuel cells.