Project STARTREC

In the context of the energy transition, the interest for thermoelectric generators (TEG) is increasing, as they are able to tap into renewable or waste heat sources with very low impact. So far, wide-scale applicability of TE devices was limited by their low conversion efficiency, typically 5 % at system level at the most. STARTREC will develop and evaluate a new generation of TEG based on the optimal combination of nanostructured Si₈₅Ge₁₅ thermoelectric materials with innovative device architectures designed by simulation:

1) Three different materials processing routes using nanostructuration to increase material performances: Additive Manufacturing (AM); Nanostructured Rapid Casting (Nano-RC); Optimized Rapid Casting (O-RC)

2) Innovative device architectures, such as complex forms and cascade architectures, which can considerably improve both their performance and their optimal temperature ranges, and so increase their efficiencies and potential for wider applications.

STARTREC aims at doubling TEG efficiencies up to 10 % at system level (15 % at device level). It will demonstrate their high-performances in relevant environments at TRL5 for three different and complementary high impact use cases (industrial, domestic and space). Technical work will be completed by dedicated life cycle studies to address economic and environmental issues for these TEGs. A strong dissemination and exploitation strategy and novel circular business models will allow the developed solution to open new application opportunities in other sectors. With TEGs produced and commercialized by European industrial leaders, reinforcing EU strategic autonomy in renewable energy technologies, STARTREC has a complete value-chain with two RTOs, two universities, one technological SME and three industrial end-users. STARTREC will serve a global TEG market valued at $ 472.5 m in 2020 and forecasted to reach $ 1443.3 m by 2030.