teg – Xtralec

Thermo Electrics

Once used in outer space with a technology so expensive that until a short few years ago the TEG could have never been used in our every day lives.

The Teg

How the TEG works. We liken its operation to a thunder storm. When a hot cloud meets a cold cloud a bolt of lightening erupts (electricity) with Thermo electrics when a heat is placed on one side of a TEG plate and cold on the other an electrical current erupts ( electricity).

Thermo Electricity invented in the mid 1800s, used in space technology during the 1970s is now in every day use. Until recently only a very small amount of electricity could be produced by a Thermo electric (TEG) plate. In order to create a significant amount of electricity hundreds of these plates had to be coupled together. The cost of production made it impossible to consider use outside specific areas with enormous amounts of available funding.

During recent years projects have started to emerge. Mostly projects requiring small amounts of electricity, perhaps only enough to charge a mobile phone.

Our story, from acorns to oak trees really has happened.

Development has taken another major turn. This time, rather than charge a mobile phone, Xtralec has seen heat driven generators capable of producing enough electricity to power a remote off grid village giving everyone a chance of a better future.

The Oak Tree

Using the same principal as the electric light made from plumbing parts, an aluminium heat sink and two very small TEG plates. By multiplying the TEG plates and changing the heat sink we have developed this micro power station. With the heat of the fire box on one side of the TEG plates, the cooling of a heat sink on the other side, adding electronics and circuitry to the generator has increased the electrical power output very significantly. This micro power station, the size of a cooker in most kitchens is able to power several hundred flood lights.

With many years of research and development we now have a silent running generator with no moving parts capable of putting a remote location onto its own power grid.

Consider its potential, living in the wilderness with no access to conventional fuel to power an electricity generator. This power station so silent in its operation has nothing to maintain, no servicing necessary and no need for part replacement. With the added value of being able to run on any available fuel including wood, grass, leaves, in fact any burning material makes this generator a one of a kind. Perhaps the future really is renewable.

The Technology Behind The Micro Power Station

In the mid 19th century, a gentleman by the name of Jean Charles Athanase Peltier invented a form of electrical production.

The TEG or thermoelectric generator, produced in different sizes, is often used in Space technology, powering satellites etc. Some plates are only 3mm thick and 50x50mm in diameter and these tiny devices, subjected to heat on one side and cold on the other can produce a small amount of electricity. These tiny plates are made up of dissimilar metals.

When subjected to heat and cold they produce an electrical current. We liken this to a thunder storm. When a hot cloud meets a cold cloud a bolt of lightening erupts (electricity).

The plates can be connected together in order to produce more electricity. The bigger the temperature difference the more powerful the TEG becomes.

The difference in the two temperatures is known as the delta T. For instance, if the hot side is one hundred degrees centigrade and the cold side is ten degrees centigrade then the delta T is 90c. The greater the delta T, the more electricity is produced.

Being able to control and balance the two temperatures on a plate only 3mm thick is the secret of success.

The cold side, if too cold, stops the heat from striking the plate. In the same way, if the plate is too hot it can stop the cold side striking. This is where technology kicks in.

Electronics help to balance the two temperatures. Xtralec have developed a circuit board capable of controlling both the hot and the cold sides of the TEG, when placed into a wood or multi fuel stove.

Once installed inside a multi-fuel stove, these generators are capable of producing a considerable amount of electricity.