A thermoelectric generator converts heat directly into electricity using the Seebeck Effect. When one side of the TEG module is hot and the other side is cold, voltage is generated.

Basic Working Principle

$V \propto \Delta T$ V∝ΔT

Where:

V = Generated Voltage
ΔT = Temperature Difference between hot and cold sides

The larger the temperature difference, the higher the voltage output.

Required Parts List

Main Components

Thermoelectric Generator Module
- SP1848-27145 Thermoelectric Generator Module
- Recommended: 2–4 modules for higher output
Microcontroller
- Arduino Uno R4
DC-DC Boost Converter
- Converts low TEG voltage to stable 5V
Aluminum Heat Sink
Cooling Fan (5V)
Temperature Sensors
- DS18B20 or LM35
LED Bulb or USB Output Port
Thermal Paste
Connecting Wires
Breadboard
Metal Plate (Hot Side)
Heat Source

Candle
Charcoal stove
Hot water container
Solar concentrator

Estimated Cost (Kenya)

Component	Quantity	Approx Cost (KSh)
TEG Module	2	600–1,200
Arduino Uno	1	1,000–2,500
Boost Converter	1	150–300
Heat Sink	2	300–700
Cooling Fan	1	150–400
Temperature Sensor	2	200–400
Breadboard & Wires	1	300–600

Total: KSh 2,700 – 6,000

Full Wiring Diagram

                HOT METAL PLATE
                      ▲
                      │ Heat
                      │
        ┌────────────────────────┐
        │    TEG MODULE          │
        └────────────────────────┘
                      │
                      ▼
                HEAT SINK
                      │
                 COOLING FAN

              TEG OUTPUT
                 (+) (-)
                   │
                   ▼

         DC-DC BOOST CONVERTER

          IN+  ◄── TEG +
          IN-  ◄── TEG -

          OUT+ ──► 5V Arduino
          OUT- ──► GND Arduino

Arduino:
---------
5V   ◄──── Boost OUT+
GND  ◄──── Boost OUT-

A0   ◄──── Voltage Sensor

D2   ◄──── Temperature Sensor

D13  ────► LED Indicator

Arduino Code

int sensorPin = A0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {

  int sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);

  float voltage =
  sensorValue * (5.0 / 1023.0);

  Serial.print("Generated Voltage: ");
  Serial.print(voltage);
  Serial.println(" V");

  delay(1000);
}

Assembly Procedure

Step 1

Apply thermal paste on both sides of the TEG module.

Step 2

Attach:

Hot metal plate on one side
Heat sink on the other side

Step 3

Mount cooling fan onto the heat sink.

Step 4

Connect TEG output wires to the boost converter.

Step 5

Set boost converter output to 5V.

Step 6

Connect boost converter to Arduino.

Step 7

Upload Arduino code.

Step 8

Apply heat source and observe voltage generation.

Expected Output

According to SP1848-27145 specifications:

Temperature Difference	Voltage
20°C	~0.97V
40°C	~1.8V
60°C	~2.4V
80°C	~3.6V
100°C	~4.8V

How to Make It KSEF-Level Competitive

Add:

1. IoT Monitoring

Arduino + WiFi Module (ESP8266)
Upload temperature and voltage data to cloud dashboard

2. LCD Display

Shows:

Hot side temperature
Cold side temperature
Generated voltage
Generated current

3. Automatic Cooling System

Fan speed changes according to temperature difference.

4. AI Prediction

Use Arduino + Machine Learning model to predict maximum power generation based on temperature.

5. Solar + TEG Hybrid System

Attach TEG behind a solar panel to harvest waste heat.

6. Mobile Phone Charging Port

Add USB output for practical demonstration.

Useful Component Sources

This project can be presented under Physics, Energy & Transport, Electrical Engineering, or Applied Technology categories in events such as the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair.

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