Systems and methods for multisource thermophotovoltaic energy conversion

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and methods for a multisource capable thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system. The TPV system includes an absorber that receives directed energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation from at least a primary source and converts the electromagnetic radiation to thermal energy, an emitter, thermally coupled to the absorber, wherein the emitter receives the thermal energy from the absorber and radiates the thermal energy, and a photovoltaic cell which receives the thermal energy from the emitter and converts the thermal energy to electric power. The absorber may receive energy from at least a second source providing a combination of two or more power generation technologies to obtain efficiencies higher than what could be obtained by identical sources individually. Using multiple sources also provides the capability to extend the duration of available electric power to a load and to control the output power in response to the variable loads.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.