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Harnessing phase change materials for solar thermoelectric generators: A case study in Sudan

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study presents the development and experimental evaluation of a micro-energy harvesting system based on a solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) integrated with a phase change material (PCM) under real weather conditions in Sudan. The system was tested on the roof of the Engineering North building at the University of Khartoum using paraffin wax supplied by the Central Petroleum Laboratories (CPL), Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Sudan. The paraffin sample was originally derived from crude oil extracted from the Heglig oil fields and was used in this study without further chemical modification. Three PCM heights (2, 4, and 6 cm) were investigated to evaluate their effect on thermal and electrical performance. The results demonstrate that placing paraffin on the upper surface (hot side) of the STEG ensures stable electrical performance under varying weather conditions, enabling continuous power generation even during periods of low solar radiation. Incorporating a copper serpentine wire enhanced thermal conductivity within the paraffin, enabling complete melting of the material at approximately 64°C and improving voltage stability. Among the tested configurations, the 2 cm PCM height produced the highest power output, reaching 1,995 μW. The copper-enhanced 4 cm configuration exhibited a substantial improvement, achieving nearly 50% higher power output compared to its unmodified case. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing PCM geometry and heat sink design for enhanced power generation under diverse weather conditions. The proposed system shows strong potential as an electrical power source for miniature systems, such as wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensing systems.
DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112680
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W7204449386
FWCI:
Cites: 29
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Related to: 10