Waste heat is the thermal energy produced involuntarily during industrial processes or in buildings. Traditionally dissipated into the environment, this heat represents a considerable energy potential which, until now, has remained largely untapped.
The ThermoHarv project focuses on the development of innovative devices using flexible polymers capable of recovering waste heat in buildings and converting it into electricity. This approach is based on two key physical principles:
1. Thermoelectricity: exploiting spatial temperature gradients.
2. Pyroelectricity: using temporal temperature gradients.
These technologies make it possible to generate electricity from heat sources previously considered as losses, such as pipes heated by hot water or glazed surfaces heated by solar energy.
The electricity produced by these devices, albeit low-power, could power low-energy connected objects such as home automation sensors, smoke detectors or motion sensors. This approach fits perfectly with the growing trend towards the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced home automation.
ThermoHarv is the result of an international collaboration involving renowned institutions such as the University of Mons, IMT Nord Europe, Centexbel, the University of Lille and CD2E. With a budget of €1.78 million, the project aims not only for technological innovation but also for sustainability, incorporating considerations on the recycling of the materials used.
At a time when the building sector accounts for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, initiatives such as ThermoHarv are paving the way for a new era of sustainable construction. By combining waste heat recovery and renewable energies, tomorrow's buildings could not only reduce their carbon footprint but also become energy sources in their own right.
03/03/2025
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