Research » Fluids and Heat Transfer
Title
The µPower stove generator
Project coordinator(s)
Dr. Tony Robinson
Email: arobins@tcd.ie
Tel: +353 1 896 3919
Post-doctoral Staff
Dr. Séamus O'Shaughnessy
Post-graduate Staff
Mr. Maurice Deasy
Description
This technology generates electricity from the heat of efficient biomass cook stoves currently being deployed on an unprecedented scale in the developing world. Approximately 2.5 billion people living in the developing world burn biomass as a primary energy source. This number is expected to grow to 5 billion by 2050. Half of those who burn biomass lack access to grid electricity. An astonishing number of people at the base of the pyramid have no access to night time lighting, meaning complete darkness once the last cooking fire goes out. Those who do have the luxury of lighting predominantly use kerosene. The negative cost, health, safety, security and environmental consequences are to numerous to list.
The µPower Stove Generator utilizes a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and purpose built heating and cooling hardware to produce electricity from the efficient cook stove. Specialized circuitry has been developed to charge and discharge a rechargeable battery. For the current single TEG embodiment on a ceramic biomass stove, the device can store around 8Whrs of energy subject to three meals being cooked. The µPower Stove Generator can charge simple electrical appliances such as LED lanterns and mobile phones.
Funding Body
Irish Aid
Electric Aid
IRCSET EPS Post-Doc (Intel)
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