Thermoelectric technology assessment: Application to air conditioning and refrigeration

A combination of factors-notably environmental concerns about global warming and ozone depletion due to refrigerants and the increasing demand for electronics and optoelectronic cooling-led to renewed activity in alternative cooling technologies. Currently, thermoelectric cooling is considered a popular cooling technology. This paper provides a critical review of thermoelectric technology and assesses its potential applications in air conditioning and refrigeration. The first part of this paper is devoted to the basic concept of thermoelectrics, with an overview of current thermoelectric materials and devices. The second part is a general overview of the applications of thermoelectric technology, with an emphasis on those related to air conditioning and refrigeration.