A comparison of energy harvesting from cement and asphalt on road pavement using thermoelectric module

Abstract

Energy harvesting from road pavements was studied using thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules, where solar heat energy on the road pavement was transferred directly to electrical energy. Cement and asphalt pavements were examined and compared. The asphalt pavement had better solar energy adsorption due to its black surface. The hot surface of the TEG modules was attached to the underside of the pavement, while the cool surface was enclosed by a cooling system. Natural airflow and water-cooling systems were investigated and compared. The electromotive force (e.m.f.) voltages were directly related to the temperature difference between the hot and cool surfaces of the TEG modules. The e.m.f. voltage from the asphalt showed superior performance compared to that from cement with both natural airflow and water cooling. Moreover, the water-cooling system provided a larger temperature difference, allowing a greater e.m.f. voltage to be generated from the TEG module. The maximum e.m.f. from asphalt was about 168.5 mV, which was about 25.4% (ca. 134.4 mV) higher than that from cement with the water-cooling system.