International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 13, Number 10 (2018) pp. 8535-8545 © Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com 8535 Renewable Energy Thermoelectric Module Air Conditioning System – Design Factors: A Review Rupert Gouws School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Abstract The conventional air conditioner is fast becoming a noticeable energy user that negatively affects the supplier’s ability to supply energy during peak periods when the country’s energy need rises. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) stipulates that a country committed under the Kyoto Protocol, has to implement emissions-reduction programs in developing countries to help reduce the CO2 emissions around the world. It is therefore important to invest in renewable energy projects and perform research on air conditioning systems, in order to lower the energy strain on the electricity grid and contribute towards CDM. This paper therefore provides a review on the factors that need to be taken into account and the different technologies that can be used in the design of a renewable energy thermoelectric module (TEM) air conditioning system for South African conditions. The different technologies in the design are compared to each other by means of a unique trade- off study, in order to design the optimal efficient and cost effective renewable energy TEM air conditioning system. Keywords: Thermoelectric module; air conditioning; renewable energy; cost; availability; functionality. INTRODUCTION As climate change takes place in the world, more and more people are using air conditioners for the purpose of cooling as well as heating. The conventional air conditioner is fast becoming a noticeable energy user that negatively affects the supplier’s ability to supply energy in peak times as the country’s energy need rises [1]. The conventional air conditioner uses chemical gas to cool and the green-house gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere also damage the ozone layer [2]. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) stipulates that a country committed under the Kyoto Protocol, has to implement emissions-reduction programs in developing countries to help reduce the CO2 emissions around the world [2]-[4]. The need therefore exist to investigate other means of air cooling, which can replace the conventional air conditioning system. As the Cap and Trade Movement is fast growing on an international level, it is becoming more important that a business or country that wants to export goods to other countries, comply with these regulations. Cap and Trade limits a business or country on the amount of carbon emissions that they emit annually. It will be very difficult for countries that do not comply with these standards, to still trade in the future [4]-[6]. As the cost of electricity rises, the need to find other energy sources becomes more important every day. By making use of renewable energy sources, the peak period energy demand that the supplier needs to deliver in order to sustain the country’s electricity usage, will also decrease [3], [5]. The primary objective of this paper is to provide a review on the different technologies that can be used and factors that needs to be taken into account in the design of a renewable energy TEM air conditioner system in order to design the optimum efficient and cost-effective renewable energy TEM air conditioning system. In order to do this, the different technologies are compared to each other, by means of a unique trade-off study for South African conditions. This paper also provides a guideline in terms of the available literature on the different technologies that are applicable and available to renewable energy TEM air conditioning systems. Figure 1 provides the main building blocks in a simplified renewable energy TEM air conditioning system. For this review we focus primarily on the DC power source and the main TEM air conditioner system components. The DC power source is made up of a renewable energy source, a charge controller and a backup power source (or storage system). An alternative to these blocks is a DC power source (like Eskom with an AC-DC inverter). The renewable energy source feeds the charge controller which in turn feeds the backup power source. A control unit receives power from the DC power source and relays this power to the cooling and heating system(s) (TEM), fans and accessories, according to instructions received from a remote control, pre-programmed rules and sensors. Charge controller Renewable energy source Backup power source (storage) DC power source (Eskom–alternative) (with AC-DC inverter) Remote control TEM air-conditioner system Casing and components DC power source DC Control unit Fans and accessories Temp sensor Sensors IR DC Cooling/Heating (TEM) Figure 1: Main building blocks in the renewable energy TEM air conditioning system. Figure 2 provides an overview block diagram of the different technologies, together with the applicable references for each