Wood stoves equipped with thermoelectric generators can produce electricity that is more sustainable, more reliable, and less costly than power from solar PV panels.
Found this on the lowtech magazine. What are your toughts?
Honestly, it’s not a great take from low-tech magazine.
This does not replace what solar panels do, which is to be an almost entirely passive way to collect/generate clean energy. It requires a fuel source, produces dirty emissions, requires actively monitoring while in use, and generates very little energy relative to what it is exposed to.
It’s potentially good for reusing waste heat as a small amount of electricity but it’s very little compared to other methods of reclamation like a hot water heater or an actual steam engine.
Exactly. I think thermoelectric generators are great as an accessory for a wood burning stove - if used to supplement the function of that stove. For example, you might add such a generator to a wood stove of a remote off-grid cabin, and use the small power output to power a fan to more efficiently distribute the stove’s heat around the room.
Honestly, it’s not a great take from low-tech magazine.
This does not replace what solar panels do, which is to be an almost entirely passive way to collect/generate clean energy. It requires a fuel source, produces dirty emissions, requires actively monitoring while in use, and generates very little energy relative to what it is exposed to.
It’s potentially good for reusing waste heat as a small amount of electricity but it’s very little compared to other methods of reclamation like a hot water heater or an actual steam engine.
Exactly. I think thermoelectric generators are great as an accessory for a wood burning stove - if used to supplement the function of that stove. For example, you might add such a generator to a wood stove of a remote off-grid cabin, and use the small power output to power a fan to more efficiently distribute the stove’s heat around the room.