Thermophotovoltaics (TPV)

TPV is the conversion of radiation energy from a source with a lower temperature than the sun´s to electricity with the help of photovoltaic cells (solar cells). For more information about the principles of TPV, see, for example,  www.JXcrystals.com TPV research was started at the Dalarna University Solar Energy Research Center SERC in 1994 in co-operation primarily with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL, USA. Presently, we co-operate with Mälardalen University, Borlänge Energi AB; Mälarenergi AB, Sala-Heby Energi, and Solarit AB The aim of the project is to develop a system for the production of electricity and heat from refined solid biofuel with TPV techniques. Research on wood powder combustion has been carried out financed by the Swedish Energy Agency. The prototype burner was tested at Borlänge Energi and the final version is aimed to be put into operation at the Torsång district heating plant. See Publication list for published reports and papers. The  present SERC-TPV group R&D activities include studies within the following areas: * Design of a ceramic wood powder burner for high temperatures (> 1000°C). * Design of the optical connection of emitter and TPV cells for maximum efficiency using both measurements and computer simulations. The TPV research group has in late 2004 got funding from Swedish Energy Agency for construction of a TPV prototype for about 2.25 kW heat and 0.12-0.27 kW electricity. See a model of the prototype below. See the TPV generator animation! Project group:           Dalarna University Lars Broman, Professor, lbr@du.se, Eva Lindberg, PhD, eli@du.se Svante Nordlander, Techn.Lic, snr@du.se Mälardalens University Erik Dahlquist, Professor, Project leader Erik.Dahlquist@mdh.se           Adel Karim, Techn.Dr, Adel.Karim@mdh.se Eva Thorin, Techn.Dr, Eva.Thorin@mdh.se Gert Bard, Research engineer, Ger.Bard@mdh.se Solarit AB Falah Hosini, Engineer Falah.Hosini@solaritab.se Stefan Söderlund, Engineer, Stefan.Soderlund@solaritab.se