Thermal Electric Generation of Electricity in Rural Areas.

Abstract

Electricity use is a crucial part of man today due to its various important uses like lighting, phone charging, refrigeration, powering of television and radio sets and many other uses. However, electricity access in rural areas is still a big problem. The electricity grids of hydroelectricity have not yet been extended to numerous rural areas despite the efforts of the Uganda government. Solar energy is used but it is not helpful in seasons and days without sunshine. This project is geared to help solve the problem of lack of electricity in rural areas by the generation of electricity from fire places using the thermoelectric effect. A thermoelectric device generates direct current when one of its sides is heated and the other exposed to coldness. Four thermoelectric devices, metal frames, metal container, wires, boost converter, asbestos material, I N4007 diode and 12V battery were used. The thermoelectric devices were connected in series and fastened between a metal plate for the hot side, and metal container which will contain cold water to form the cold side. The thermoelectric modules generated a varying current of voltage 4.7-9V. The voltage was stepped and stabilized by the boost converter to a stable output of 12V. .;.-. The diode was connected on the live wire from the boost converter to the battery, and the neutral J wire was connected directly, so as to charge the battery. The battery would be used to power loads at night for example Led bulbs, radio, and phone charging. The system could be able to provide a cheap and reliable power solution for rural areas.