Thermal energy harvesting from wildlife

Abstract: In this paper we present the measurement of temperature differences between the ambient air and the body temperature of a sheep (Heidschnucke) and its applicability for thermoelectric energy harvesting from livestock, demonstrated via the test of a specially tailored TEG system in a real-life experiment. In three measurement campaigns average temperature differences were found between 2.5 K and 3.5 K. Analytical models and FEM simulations were carried out to determine the actual thermal resistance of the sheep's fur from comparisons with the temperature measurements. With these data a thermoelectric (TEG) generator was built in a thermally optimized housing with adapted heats sink. The whole TEG system was mounted to a collar, including a data logger for recording temperature and TEG voltage. First measurements at the neck of a sheep were accomplished, with a calculated maximal average power output of 173 μW at the TEG. Taking the necessity of a low-voltage step-up converter into account, an electric output power of 54 μW is available which comes close to the power consumption of a low-power VHF tracking system

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Journal of physics. Conference Series. - 557 (2014) , 012084, ISSN: 1742-6596

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Elektrotechnik, Elektronik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2019
• Creator: Woias, Peter ; Schüle, Florian ; Bäumke, E. ; Mehne, Philipp ; Kröner, Michael
• Contributor: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Professur für die Konstruktion von Mikrosystemen

Further information

• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/557/1/012084
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-1257095
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 25.03.2025, 1:44 PM CET