Thermoelectric energy harvesting is no longer the Cinderella of energy harvesting - a subject previously dominated by photovoltaics and electrodynamics such as the bicycle dynamo and the electric vehicle's regenerative braking. Alphabet Energy of the USA has the world's most powerful thermoelectric generator in production. Partner Borla's exhaust systems coupled with Alphabet Energy's PowerModule thermoelectric generator has the potential to capture 5 to 10 percent of a car or truck's waste heat and use it to improve fuel efficiency by reducing alternator loads or replacing the alternator entirely. This captured heat can be used to power the multitude of electrical components on a modern car normally powered by the energy-hungry alternator, such as lights, heating, air conditioning, sound, and navigation systems. It will present at the "Energy Harvesting and Storage" conference in the 3000 delegate, 200 exhibitor event IDTechEx Show! in Santa Clara California. That is on November 18-19 and it has nine parallel conferences on allied topics and 22 masterclasses on the days before and after the two day event. www.EnergyHarvestingUSA.com 
According to the US Department of Energy, a Class 8 truck traveling 150,000 to 200,000 miles per year averages $70,000 to $125,000 in fuel costs. For many, the lifetime fuel costs for a Class 8 truck are approximately five times the original purchase price of the vehicle. Heat captured by a Borla Exhaust and delivered to an Alphabet Energy's PowerModule could deliver a fuel savings of 3 to 6 percent or as much as $7,500 per year, per Class 8 truck, the companies say.
The PowerBlocks thermoelectric materials are p-type tetrahedrites and n-type magnesium silicide (Mg2Si). PowerModule directly accepts exhaust heat with a temperature ranging from 350 - 600 °C and transforms it into DC electricity, delivering up to 850 watts of power. Evident Technologies of the USA also covers thermoelectrics for waste heat recovery, both on land and in vehicles. An allied topic concerns how many types of energy harvesting are now being combined in a given application to reduce the need for energy storage and give greater security of supply of harvested electricity.
Join us in Santa Clara on Nov 18-19 when we discuss this in more detail - www.EnergyHarvestingUSA.com
