Conceptual schematic of transformational grid-resilient heating system technology for residential and commercial buildings.

Conceptual schematic of transformational grid-resilient heating system technology for residential and commercial buildings.

Lead Performer: Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL  
Partners:
-- Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
-- Sheetak Inc. -- Austin, TX
DOE Total Funding: $1,143,259
Cost Share: $287,500
Project Term: April 15, 2019 – July 31, 2022
Funding Type: Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) - 2018

Project Objective

The project’s overall objective is to develop a highly efficient, grid-independent, self-powered, fuel-flexible, and drop-in capable integrated Advanced Burner Thermoelectric Generator (ABTEG) system for residential and commercial buildings. At the end of this project, the system will demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of a system capable of operation without the use of external electrical power that can be further applied to other building heating technologies.

Project Impact

Research on developing highly efficient, self-powered appliances for grid independence have not resulted in commercially successful products due to low energy savings and customized designs preventing drop-in installation. The proposed project plans to address these challenges. The project leads to 1.5 quads/year of energy savings with a heat pump, drop-in, self-powered, grid-resilient system with more than 70% reduction in NOx emissions and 21.2 Mt of CO2 reduction annually.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Antonio Bouza
Lead Performer: Sandeep Alavandi, Gas Technology Institute

Related Publications

LaClair, T., Gluesenkamp, K., Wang, H., Abu-Heiba, A., Alavandi, S., Abbasi, H., Cygan, D., Whitehouse, J., and Ghoshal, U.,  “Material Selection and Sizing of a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) for Power Generation in a Self-Powered Heating System” 6th International High Performance Buildings Conference, Purdue.