Patent Publication Number: US-2015083180-A1

Title: Systems, methods and/or apparatus for thermoelectric energy generation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/647,863, filed on May 16, 2012, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/648,034, filed on May 16, 2012, International Application No. PCT/US2011/060937, filed on Nov. 16, 2011, and International Application No. PCT/US2011/060942, filed on Nov. 16, 2011. This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/413,995, filed on Nov. 16, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/532,104, filed Sep. 8, 2011. Each of these applications is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to generally to the conversion of a thermal energy into electrical energy. This disclosure is also generally related to the conversion of a temperature difference into electrical energy. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is becoming more important to reduce the amount of energy generated by consumable heat source power plants, (e.g., natural gas, coal, fossil fuel, nuclear, etc.) and replace them with renewable and/or clean energy sources. 
     A challenge faced by current renewable clean energy technologies is that they are almost as, and in some cases more, complicated than the legacy technologies they are attempting to replace. Most of these technologies are focused on alternative generation of electricity and they miss the fact that most of the inefficiencies in getting the energy to the customer occur along the countless steps between the conversion into electrical energy and the actual use of the energy. 
     Factoring in the energy consumed developing, deploying and maintaining both the new and old technologies there often insufficient return of the investment. 
     There is a need for improved systems, devices, and/or method directed to localized, sustainable, and/or renewable clean energy that can be stored more efficiently and then converted into electrical energy when desired. The present disclosure is directed to overcome and/or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art as will become apparent from the discussion herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments relate to the conversion of various types of energy into thermal energy that may be stored and/or then converted into electrical energy. In exemplary embodiments the electrical energy may be available on demand and/or at a user&#39;s desired power requirements (e.g., power level and/or type). For example, the energy may be available at a particular voltage and either as direct current (DC) energy or alternating current (AC) energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy may be easily transported and therefore available at a user&#39;s desired location. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the systems, methods and/or devices may eliminate or reduce the need for electricity transmission, at least for certain applications. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the thermal energy may be locally stored. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the system may include organic phase change material(s) for storing the thermal energy. In addition, other types of phase change materials for storing the thermal energy are also contemplated. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the system may include a petroleum-based phase change material (e.g., paraffin) for storing the thermal energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the system may include a mineral based-phase change material (e.g., salt hydrates) for storing the thermal energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the system may include a water based-phase change material (e.g., water) for storing the thermal energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the system may include an organic phase change material for storing the thermal energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, two thermal mass types (hot and cold or a first temperature or temperature range and a second temperature or temperature range, wherein the first is greater than the second in order to create a sufficient thermal difference) may be used and in exemplary embodiments, one or both of the materials may be pre-charged and provided to a user in a state ready for use by an end user. 
     In exemplary embodiments a system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy may comprise: a thermoelectric generator; a high temperature storage in contact with a first side of the thermoelectric generator; a low temperature storage in contact with a second side of the thermoelectric generator; a high temperature regenerator for maintaining the high temperature storage at a high temperature; and a low temperature regenerator for maintaining the low temperature storage at a low temperature. The difference in the temperatures of the high temperature storage and the low temperature storage creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator that creates the electrical energy. 
     In certain embodiments, at least one first temperature storage material and at least one second temperature storage material may be used to create a temperature differential. In addition, a combination of first temperature materials and a combination of second temperature materials may be used to create a temperature in combination with one or more thermal electric generators to generate electricity. In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature storage and low temperature storage are phase change materials. In certain embodiments, the higher temperature storage and lower temperature storage materials may be organic phase change materials, other types of phase change materials, batteries, engines, solar, geothermal, electromagnetic, differences in ambient environmental temperatures, heat exhaust, heat waste exhaust, or combinations thereof. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy is DC current. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature regenerator comprises: a thermoelectric generator that uses the high temperature storage on one side and an ambient temperature (that is sufficiently lower than the higher temperature) on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator. The thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator generates electrical energy. 
     In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the at least one first temperature regenerator is used to power a thermal source to keep the at least one first temperature storage at an appropriate temperature. In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy of the high temperature regenerator is used to power a heater to keep the high temperature storage at a high temperature. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the higher temperature regenerator is used to power a heater to keep the higher temperature storage at a higher temperature. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the higher temperature regenerator is used to power a heating source to keep at least in part the higher temperature storage at a higher temperature. 
     In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the at least one second temperature regenerator is used to power a thermal source to keep the at least one first temperature storage at an appropriate temperature. In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy of the second temperature regenerator is used to power a heating or cooling source to keep the second temperature storage at a second temperature. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the second temperature regenerator is used to power a heating or cooling source to keep the second temperature storage at a second temperature. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the electrical energy of the second temperature regenerator is used to power a heating or cooling source to keep at least in part the second temperature storage at a second temperature. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the lower temperature regenerator comprises: a thermoelectric generator that uses the lower temperature storage on one side and an ambient temperature on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator. The thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator generates electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy of the lower temperature regenerator is used to power a chiller to keep the lower temperature storage at a low temperature. 
     In exemplary embodiments a system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy may comprise: a thermoelectric generator means for converting a temperature difference into electrical energy; a high temperature storage means for storing thermal energy in contact with a first side of the thermoelectric generator means; a low temperature storage means for storing thermal energy in contact with a second side of the thermoelectric generator means; a high temperature regenerator means for maintaining the high temperature storage means at a high temperature; and a low temperature regenerator means for maintaining the low temperature storage means at a low temperature. The difference in the temperatures of the high temperature storage means and the low temperature storage means creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator means that creates the electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature storage means and low temperature storage means are phase change materials. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy is DC current. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature regenerator means comprises: a thermoelectric generator means for converting a temperature difference into electrical energy that uses the high temperature storage means on one side and an ambient temperature on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator means. The thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator means generates electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy of the high temperature regenerator means is used to power a heater means to keep the high temperature storage means at a high temperature. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the low temperature regenerator means comprises: a thermoelectric generator means for converting a temperature difference into electrical energy that uses the low temperature storage means on one side and an ambient temperature on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator means. The thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator means for converting a temperature difference into electrical energy generates electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy of the low temperature regenerator means for storing thermal energy is used to power a chiller to keep the low temperature storage at a low temperature 
     As well as the embodiments discussed in the summary, other embodiments are disclosed in the specification, drawings and claims. The summary is not meant to cover each and every embodiment, combination or variations contemplated with the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems; 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system utilizing spent nuclear fuel rods as the harvested heat source; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a solar thermal and photovoltaic energy harvesting system to provide buildings with thermoelectric electricity, hot water, comfort heating, comfort cooling or combinations thereof; 
         FIG. 29  is a plan view and corresponding elevation and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a solar thermal collection system; 
         FIG. 30  is a plan view with corresponding section views of an exemplary embodiment of a solar thermal collection system; 
         FIG. 31  is a plan view and corresponding elevation, section and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a solar thermal hot water tank; 
         FIG. 32  is a plan view and corresponding elevation views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system; 
         FIG. 33  is plan view and corresponding isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system; 
         FIG. 34  is plan view and corresponding section views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system; 
         FIG. 35  is an isometric view and corresponding detail views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system; 
         FIG. 36  is a plan view and corresponding elevation and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric cooling system; 
         FIG. 37  is plan view and corresponding section and detail views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric cooling system; 
         FIG. 38  is a plan view and corresponding elevation and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a portable thermoelectric heating, cooling and/or electrical generation system; 
         FIG. 39  is an elevation view and corresponding section views of an exemplary embodiment of a portable thermoelectric heating, cooling and/or electrical generation system; 
         FIG. 40  is an elevation view and corresponding other elevation, plan and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric solid-state refrigeration system; 
         FIG. 41  is a plan view and corresponding section and detail views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric solid-state refrigeration system; 
         FIG. 42  is a schematic section view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric harvesting configuration; 
         FIG. 43  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system utilizing multiple thermal regeneration methods for use in, for example, land vehicles; 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric regenerating system thermal energy harvester for use in, for example, land vehicles during sunlight and in warm to hot temperatures; 
         FIG. 45  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric regenerating system thermal energy harvester for use, in for example, land vehicles during cloudy to dark and in cool to freezing temperatures; 
         FIG. 46  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system for use, in for example, marine vessels; 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system for use for the production of hydrogen gas from water by means of electrolysis; 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric solid-state chiller system for the purposes of, for example, cooling nitrogen gas into a liquid from average ambient temperatures; 
         FIG. 49  is a schematic section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator with sufficiently isolated high and low temperature storage. 
         FIG. 50  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an electromagnetic and/or thermal energy harvesting power supply for use, in for example, mobile phones and/or handheld devices; 
         FIG. 51  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section A of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section B of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 53  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section C of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric harvesting device and/or generator that may be utilized in large industrial facilities, that permits the recycling and/or storing of wasted thermal energies and the converting of such wasted thermal energies to electrical energy; 
         FIG. 55  is an isometric section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heater and/or cooler for use in vertical farming; 
         FIG. 56  is an isometric section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heater and/or cooler powered vertical farming grow cell; and 
         FIG. 57  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device. 
         FIGS. 58 and 59  are schematic diagrams of an apparatus developed to test the benefits of organic phase change materials over water and chemical based phase change materials for use in thermoelectric energy generation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments described in the disclosure relate to the conversion of various types of energy into thermal energy that may be stored and/or then converted into electrical energy. The thermal energy also may be used for other purposes as well such as heating and/or cooling. As will be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure, the exemplary embodiments described herein may be beneficial for environment as well as economic reasons. In exemplary embodiments, the electrical energy may be easily transported and therefore available at a user&#39;s desired location reducing transportation costs etc. In exemplary embodiments, the systems, methods and/or devices may eliminate or reduce the need for electricity transmission, at least for certain applications, thereby reducing the need for electricity generation based, on for example, fossil fuels. In exemplary embodiments, the thermal energy may be locally stored. In other exemplary embodiments, the thermal energy may be stored and be mobile. In exemplary embodiments, the system may include an organic phase change material, for storing the thermal energy, thereby reducing non-biodegradable waste generated by the system. 
     In certain embodiments, systems, methods and/or devices are disclosed that may provide, for example, comfort heating, comfort cooling, hot water heating, refrigeration, electrical energy or combinations thereof, wherein such embodiments may be partially, substantially, or completely independent of electrical grid energy and/or fossil fuels. Certain embodiments may be at least 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% independent of the electric grid energy and/or fossil fuels for the operating period. Certain embodiments may be between 20% to 99%, 20% to 40%, 10% to 30%, 20% to 50%, 40% to 99%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 65% to 100%, 80% to 95%, 80% to 100%, 90% to 99% or 90% to 100% independent of the electric grid energy and/or fossil fuels for the operating period. Certain embodiments may provide a return of the investment within 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 2.5 years, 3 years, 5 years or 10 years. In exemplary embodiments, buildings or other structures may be retrofitted or built without the need of natural gas, or a reduced need of natural gas, being delivered for heating and/or cooking requirements. In certain embodiments, this could be done at a cost that is 10%, 20%, 30% or 50% less than that of conventional methods. In certain embodiments, buildings or other structures may be retrofitted or built wherein at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the natural gas used for providing heating and/or cooking requirements is eliminated. In certain embodiments, buildings or other structures may be retrofitted or built wherein at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the natural gas used for providing heating and/or cooking requirements is eliminated. Combinations of reducing the need for grid electricity, power plant generated electricity, fossil fuel generated power, and/or natural gas is also contemplated. 
     In certain embodiments, land vehicles may be manufactured and/or retrofitted to eliminate or reduce the use of fossil fuels or, on electric vehicles, chemical batteries. Certain embodiments may reduce the need for fossil fuels and/or chemical batteries by at least 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%. Certain embodiments may reduce the need for fossil fuels and/or chemical batteries by between 20% to 99%, 20% to 40%, 10% to 30%, 20% to 50%, 40% to 99%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 65% to 100%, 80% to 95%, 80% to 100%, 90% to 99% or 90% to 100% for a portion of the operating period, a substantial amount of the operating period, or for the entire operating period. Such systems, methods and/or devices may reduce the initial cost, the maintenance cost and/or the recurring fuel cost associated with land vehicles. 
     In certain embodiments, marine vessels may be manufactured or retrofitted to eliminate or reduce the need of fossil fuel, or in the case of electric marine vessels, to eliminate or reduce the need of chemical batteries and/or the electrical energy cost of recharging those batteries. In certain embodiments, the associated cost of disposing of chemical batteries is eliminated or reduced. In certain embodiments, the solid-state nature of certain disclosures substantially or completely reduces the cost of maintenance and/or replacement. In certain embodiments, building cost may be reduced, or substantially reduced, by the elimination, or reduction, of grid tie methods such as transformers and large gauge wiring. In certain embodiments, the size and cost of solar and/or wind energy generations may be reduced, or substantially reduced, when the energy is converted into thermal energy and stored, in for example, the organic phase change material. Due to the efficiency of the thermal storage, the use of batteries and/or solar tracking systems may be eliminated or reduced, further reducing the cost of purchase and/or maintenance. Additional advantages will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Certain embodiments may reduce the need for fossil fuels and/or chemical batteries by at least 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%. Certain embodiments may reduce the need for fossil fuels and/or chemical batteries by between 20% to 99%, 20% to 40%, 10% to 30%, 20% to 50%, 40% to 99%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 65% to 100%, 80% to 95%, 80% to 100%, 90% to 99% or 90% to 100% for a portion of the operating period, a substantial amount of the operating period, or for the entire operating period. 
     As used herein, the terms a “first temperature” and a “second temperature” are used in terms of a relevant comparison wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature. These terms also may cover temperature ranges as well, wherein the “first temperature” and the “second temperature” cover temperature ranges and the first range is higher, or substantially higher, then the second temperature range. In certain embodiments, there may be a partial overlap of the first temperature range and the second temperature range. In certain embodiments, the overlap may be between 0% to 10%, 0% to 20%, 1% to 8%, 2% to 5%, 4% to 8%, 0.5% to 3%, 0% to 5%, 0% to 2%, etc. In certain embodiments the “first temperature” may vary ±0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, or 200%. In certain embodiments the “first temperature” may vary by at least ±0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200% etc. In certain embodiments the “first temperature” may vary by less than ±0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, etc. In certain embodiments the “second temperature” may vary by ±0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, etc. In certain embodiments the “second temperature” may vary by at least ±0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, etc. In certain embodiments the “second temperature” may vary by less than ±0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, etc. Combinations of the variation in the “first temperature” and the “second temperature” are also possible in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, there may also be additional temperatures such as a “third temperature”, a “fourth temperature” etc. In certain embodiments at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or more temperature differences may be used. 
     Using the “first temperature” and “second temperature” as exemplary illustrations, this could mean a first and second temperature wherein both hotter than a typical room temperature; a first and second temperature wherein both are cooler than a typical room temperature; or wherein the first temperature is greater than a typical room temperature and the second temperature is less than a typical room temperature. As used herein, the terms “high temperature and “low temperature” are also used in terms of a relevant comparison where the high temperature is greater than the low temperature. As used herein, the terms “higher temperature and “lower temperature” also are used in terms of a relevant comparison where the higher temperature is greater than the lower temperature. 
     Designing the desired level of the voltage and current being supplied from the system(s), method(s) and/or device(s) may be a useful end result in certain embodiments. It is often an advantage if the system, method and/or device that provides the generation of electricity can provide that electricity at a specific level of voltage and current or a substantially specific level of voltage and current. Because of the electrical properties of thermoelectric generator modules, their electrical output being based on series connections of the individual couples in the module, a maximum voltage and current is “built-in” to the thermoelectric module that is based on a thermal difference on either side. By using specific temperature differences and electrically connecting the individual modules in either series or parallel a number of power output options may be designed into the system. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide voltages of 12, 24, 48, 110, 120, 230, 240, 25 kV or 110 kV. Other higher and lower voltages are also contemplated. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be designed to have an output of voltage in increments as low as millivolts and current as low as milliamps e.g., −75 mV to 900 mV and 0.01 mA to 900 mA. Other suitable ranges may also be used. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a system with multiple differing electrical outputs available to a user. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may enable the user to adjust the electrical output by allowing the module connections to be altered on demand, or substantially on demand, by way of jumpers that, are typically used in the electronics industry. 
     Another advantage of certain embodiments is the high Watts per square millimeter that may be delivered. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may enable the system to be designed in three dimensions allowing for a smaller square footage footprint. By vertically stacking embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 14  or  27 , systems may be constructed that allow increased amounts of electricity to be generated in the footprint provided. With other renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic and wind, there is less ability of gaining more power per square millimeter or per square meter by adding panels or turbines above or below one another. Because of the remote thermal communication nature of the thermal storage and the thermoelectric modules, the stacking of thermoelectric modules with thermal transport layers into the thermal storage reservoirs increases Watts per square millimeter. For example, if a single 50 square millimeter thermoelectric module is thermally connected to a low temperature thermal storage reservoir on one side and is thermally connected to a high temperature thermal storage reservoir on the other providing it a thermal difference of, for example, 150° C. it may yield 8 Watts of power or 0.16 Watts per square millimeter. By adding a second 50 square millimeter thermoelectric module thermally connected to the same low temperature thermal storage reservoir on one side and thermally connected to the same high temperature thermal storage reservoir on the other also providing it a thermal difference of, for example, 150° C. the yield is now 16 Watts of power or 0.32 Watts per square millimeter. This may be done on larger or smaller footprints up to structurally reasonable heights. In certain embodiments, the stack comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 100, etc. of the thermoelectric modules. In certain embodiments, the stack comprises between 2 to 100, 2 to 5, 5 to 30, 5 to 10, 5 to 15, 10 to 50, 25 to 50, 40 to 80, 50 to 200, etc. of the thermoelectric modules. The stacked modules may be in thermal communication to a similar number of higher temperature thermal storage reservoirs and/or a similar number of lower thermal storage reservoirs. In some aspects of the technology, less thermal storage reservoirs may be needed because a thermal reservoir may act as the higher thermal reservoir for one thermoelectric module and the lower thermal reservoir for another thermoelectric module. Certain embodiments, may use at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, etc. temperature differences in the stack. Various combinations of the number of stacked thermoelectric modules, the number of thermal storage reservoirs, and the number of temperature difference are contemplated. The stacking may be done in a vertical construction, a substantially vertical construction, a horizontal construction, a substantially horizontal construction, other three dimensional constructions, or combinations thereof. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to systems that use at least a portion of the electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric generators to power heaters and/or chillers that at least in part assist in maintaining the phase change materials at the appropriate temperature. Using thermal differences that are available to the system and by allocating at least a portion of the electrical energy generated to power devices that at least in part assist in maintaining the phase change materials at the appropriate temperature, certain embodiments are able to extend the operating time of the system without having to rely on other power sources. For example, if a system is able to sustain its power generation by taking advantage of the thermal energy provided by sunlight and some other source of cooler thermal energy when the sunlight is not available, the system is still able to operate and generate electricity for a longer period of operating time by using at least a portion of the electrical energy generated to continue to heat the phase change material on the higher temperature side. 
     In certain embodiments, the system is able to operate in a self sustaining manner between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, or 80% to 100% of the desired operating period. Certain embodiments are directed to a system that may provide sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. Certain embodiments are directed to a system that may provide sufficient electricity, heating and/or cooling between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. Certain embodiments are directed to a system that may provide sufficient electricity, heating and/or cooling between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation without the need for supplemental external power sources. 
     Certain embodiments disclose a system wherein at least a portion of the electrical energy of the at least one first temperature regenerator is used to power a heating or cooling source to keep the at least one first temperature storage at, or substantially at, a first temperature or temperature range; and at least a portion of the electrical energy of the at least one second temperature regenerator is used to power a heating or cooling source to keep the at least one second temperature storage at a second temperature, or substantially at a second temperature range; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the system provides sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. 
     Certain embodiments are directed to a system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy comprising: at least one thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in substantially direct or indirect contact, with a first side of the thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in substantially direct or indirect contact with a second side of the thermoelectric generator; a first temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature; and a second temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the second temperature storage material at a second temperature, wherein the difference in the temperatures of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator which creates the electrical energy and wherein the system provides sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. In certain embodiments, the first and/or second temperature regenerators may be replaced, partially replace, or supplemented with an alternative power source. The applications and locations of use of the technology disclosed herein are broad. The number of suitable sources of regeneration of the thermal storage, whether it be higher or lower, is also broad. Some examples for direct or indirect heat regeneration may be solar thermal, geothermal, waste industrial heat, volcanic, spent nuclear fuel rods, heat from chemical reactions, heat from metabolism, heat from electrical resistance and waste biofuel burning, or combinations thereof. Some examples for heat regeneration, by powering a heater, may be photovoltaic, wind energy, hydroelectric, kinetic to electrical, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, thermodynamic and other types of harvested waste energy sources that may be available at specific locations or combinations thereof. Some examples for direct or indirect cooling regeneration may be bodies of water, subterranean structures, caves, ice, snow, city waterlines, city sewer-lines, high altitudes, and substances under high atmospheric pressures or combinations thereof. Some examples for cold regeneration by powering a chiller may be photovoltaic, wind energy, hydroelectric, kinetic to electrical, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, thermodynamic and other types of harvested waste energy sources that may be available at specific locations or combinations thereof. The above non-limiting listed examples may also be combined in various suitable manners.  FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. The system in  FIG. 1  includes a thermoelectric generator  1 . One side of the thermoelectric generator is placed in contact, or in thermal communication with, high temperature storage  2  while the other side is placed in contact, or in thermal communication with, low temperature storage  3 . The difference in the temperatures of the high temperature storage  2  and the low temperature storage  3  creates a large thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator  1  which creates an electrical output. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the electrical output is identified by direct current  20  that flows between positive and negative terminals. 
     A thermoelectric generator is a device that converts heat (i.e., a temperature difference as described herein) into electrical energy, using a phenomenon called the “thermoelectric effect”. The amount of temperature difference that may be used may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to, the type of thermoelectric generator used in a particular embodiment, the type of phase change material used or the type of regeneration system(s) used. 
     In exemplary embodiments such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the high temperature storage  2  may be kept at a high temperature by employing a high temperature regenerator  4 . In certain embodiments, the higher temperature storage may be kept at a higher temperature by employing at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 high temperature regenerator(s), other sources of the higher temperature energy or combinations thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature regenerator  4  may comprise a thermoelectric generator  1 . In certain embodiments, the high temperature regenerator may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or other sources of the higher temperature or combinations thereof. The thermoelectric generator  1  of the high temperature regenerator  4  operates in a substantially similar manner to the originally described thermoelectric generator  1  except it uses the high temperature storage  2  on one side and high temperature ambient temperature  9  on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator  1 . The thermal difference across thermoelectric generator  1  creates an electrical output identified by direct current  20 . The electrical output of thermoelectric generator  1  may be used to power a heater  5  which may be used to keep high temperature storage  2  at a high temperature. In certain embodiments, the electrical output of at least one thermoelectric generator may be used to power at least one heater and/or other sources of energy, such as thermal energy, may be used to keep the higher temperature storage at a higher temperature. 
     Similarly, in exemplary embodiments such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the low temperature storage  3  may be kept at a low temperature by employing a low temperature regenerator  6 . In certain embodiments, the lower temperature storage may be kept at a lower temperature by employing at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 low temperature regenerator(s), other sources of the lower temperature energy or combinations thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the low temperature regenerator  6  may comprise a thermoelectric generator  1 . In certain embodiments, the lower temperature regenerator may comprise at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, other sources of the lower temperature, or combinations thereof. The thermoelectric generator  1  of the low temperature regenerator  6  operates in a substantially similar manner to the originally described thermoelectric generator  1  except it uses the low temperature storage  3  on one side and low temperature ambient temperature  17  on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator  1 . The thermal difference across thermoelectric generator  1  creates an electrical output identified by direct current  20 . The electrical output of thermoelectric generator  1  may be used to power a chiller  7  which may be used to keep the low temperature storage  3  at a low temperature. In certain embodiments, the electrical output of at least one thermoelectric generator may be used to power at least one chiller and/or other sources of energy, such as thermal energy, may be used to keep the lower temperature storage at a lower temperature. The sources of thermal energy may be selected from various sources that produce suitable thermal energy. For example, a lower temperature source may be a building&#39;s concrete slab or foundation, a large body of water, an aquifer, a geothermal loop, a city water main, a vehicle&#39;s metal chassis, the outdoor temperature in cooler climate zones or ice or snow in cooler climate zones or combinations thereof. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the surfaces of the high temperature storage  2  and low temperature storage  3  may be insulated with an insulating barrier  8  to help conserve the thermal energy stored in the materials. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the surfaces of the high temperature storage  2  and/or the low temperature storage  3  is insulated, or substantially insulated, with an insulating barrier  8  to help conserve the thermal energy stored in the materials 
     In certain embodiments, the surface of the phase change material may be in direct contact, or in thermal communication with, the surface of the thermoelectric generator. The amount of contact, or thermal communication, either direct or indirect, between at least a portion of the surface of the phase change material and/or at least a portion of the thermoelectric generator may vary depending upon the particular configuration of the embodiment selected. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the surface or a substantial portion of the surface, of the phase change material may be in direct contact, or in thermal communication with, at least a portion of the surface, or a substantial portion of the surface, of the thermoelectric generator. In certain embodiments, the surface of the phase change material may be in indirect contact with the surface of the thermoelectric generator. In certain embodiments at least a portion of the surface or a substantial portion of the surface of the phase change material may be in indirect contact with at least a portion of the surface or a substantial portion of the surface of the thermoelectric generator. In certain embodiments, there may be, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a spacer material that is in thermal communication or contact with, the surface of the phase change material and also in thermal communication, or contact with, the surface of the thermoelectric generator. This spacer material may be made of various materials, such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, beryllium or some thermally conductive plastics, polymers, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the spacer material may be part of the thermal electric generator used; the spacer material may be part of the surface of container being used to hold the phase change material; a separate spacer; or combinations thereof. 
     In certain embodiments, various configurations and/or structures may be used to transport, conduct and/or move thermal energy from the thermal storage material to the surface of the thermoelectric generator. This may be done using one or more of the four fundamental modes of heat transfer; conduction, convection, radiation and advection. For example, the phase change material may be in thermal communication with the surface or surfaces of the thermoelectric generator by the use of some type of heat pipe or heat conduit, (for example, the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24 ). In certain embodiments, there may be advantages to thermally isolating the higher temperature thermal storage material and/or the lower temperature thermal storage material from each other and/or the surfaces of the thermoelectric generator. Thermal isolation may be accomplished in a number of suitable ways including, but not limited to, increasing the distance between the higher and/or lower thermal sources, insulating the higher and/or lower thermal sources, treating the surfaces of thermoelectric generator, treating the surface of the thermal storage container, magnetism of certain materials, actively chilling the area to be isolated from heat energy or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the structure used for transporting, conducting and/or moving thermal energy from the thermal storage material to the surface of the thermoelectric generator may include fluids within the heat pipe, (e.g., water, ammonia, acetone, helium, pentane, toluene, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, fluorocarbons, propane, butane isobutene, ammonia, or sulfur dioxide or combinations thereof). 
     In exemplary embodiments, the phase change material may be an acceptable material or combinations of materials that achieves and maintain the desired temperature, temperatures or desired temperature range. Most commonly used phase change materials are chemical formulations derived from petroleum products, salts, or water. For example, water, water-based salt hydrates, various forms of paraffins, fatty acids and esters, trimethylolethane, organic thermal salts, inorganic thermal salts, ionic liquids, thermal composites, vegetable-based fats or oils, or combinations thereof. These types of phase change materials may be limited in temperature range options, containment methods, thermal cycles and/or latent heat capacities. 
     A phase change material is a material that uses phase changes (e.g., solidify, liquefy, evaporate or condense) to absorb or release large amounts of latent heat at relatively constant temperature. Phase change materials leverage the natural property of latent heat to help maintain products temperature for extended periods of time. In exemplary embodiments, the phase change material may be manufactured from renewable resources such as natural vegetable-based phase change materials. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the phase change materials may be a type manufactured by Entropy Solutions and sold under the name PureTemp. For example, PureTemp PT133 and PT-15 may be used wherein PT133 is the higher temperature phase change material used for storing thermal energy and PT-15 the lower temperature phase change material used for storing thermal energy. Another example would be using PureTemp PT48 and PT23 wherein PT48 is the higher temperature phase change material used for storing thermal energy and PT23 the lower temperature phase change material used for storing thermal energy. 
     In certain embodiments, phase change materials can be used in numerous applications so a variety of containment methods may be employed, (e.g., microencapsulation (e.g., 10 to 1000 microns, 80-85% core utilization)(e.g., 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 700, 1000 microns etc.), macro encapsulation (e.g., 1000+ microns, 80-85% core utilization) (e.g., 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 300, 4000, 5000+ microns etc.), flexible films, metals, rigid panels, spheres and others). As would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the proper containment option depends on numerous factors. 
     In certain embodiments, the number of thermal cycles that the phase change material may go through and still perform in a suitable manner may be at least 400, 1000, 3000, 5,000, 10,000, 30,000, 50,000, 75,000 or 100,000 thermal cycles. In certain embodiments, the number of cycles that the phase change material may go through and still perform in a suitable manner may be between 400 and 100,000, 5000 and 20,000, 10,000 to 50,000, 400 to 2000, 20,000 to 40,000, 50,000 to 75,000; 55,000 to 65,000 thermal cycles. PureTemp organic phase change material has been proven to retain its peak performance through more than 60,000 thermal cycles. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the temperature difference between the hot and cold phase change materials may be anywhere from a fraction of a degree to several hundred degrees at least in part depending on the power requirements. In exemplary embodiments, the phase change material heat differential may be capable of producing 1 watt of power with, e.g., 5 grams of phase change material or about 3.5 kilowatts with 1.3 kilograms of material. 100 watts with 50 grams of material, 500 watts with 200 grams of material, 1 kilowatt with 380 grams of material, 100 kilowatts with 22.8 kilograms of material or 1 Megawatt with 14 metric tons of material. As the mass of the thermal storage increases so does the power output per gram. Other ranges of kilowatts are also contemplated. Dimensionally, in exemplary embodiments, the system may be the size of a cell phone battery (e.g., 22 mm×60 mm×5.6 mm for 1 watt) (e.g., 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, etc.) or larger (e.g., 21 cm×21 cm×21 cm for about 3.5 kilowatts) (e.g., 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4 kilowatts). Other dimensional sizes and amounts are also contemplated and to a certain extent may depend on the application and/or the configuration of the system. 
     In certain embodiments, the amount of phase change material that may be used in a particular embodiment may range from 1 gm to 20 kg, 0.5 gm to 1.5 gm, 20 kg to 50 kg, 1 gm to 100 gm; 500 gm to 2 kg, 250 gm to 750 gm, 4 kg to 10 kg, 10 kg to 20 kg, 25 kg to 40 kg, 100 kg to 500 kg, 500 kg to 1 ton or other acceptable amounts. 
     In exemplary embodiments, multiple thermoelectric generators may be utilized to increase the amount of energy that is being produced. For example, between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, etc.) generators may be used in a cell phone whereas the larger 3.5 kilowatt device may use 300-1000 (e.g., 300, 400, 500, 600, 200-400, 300-500, 400-600, etc.) generators. In certain embodiments, the number of thermoelectric generators may range from 1 to 10, 15 to 2000, 5 to 20, 15 to 40, 20 to 100, 50 to 200, 100 to 400, 200 to 1000, 600, to 1200, etc. The number of thermoelectric generators to a certain extent may depend on the application and/or the configuration of the system. In certain embodiments, the thermoelectric generator(s) may be combined with other thermal and or power sources. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system that takes advantage of the energy stored in ambient temperature. The embodiment in  FIG. 2  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  except an insulating barrier  8  is used to maintain two different ambient temperatures, a high side ambient temperature  9  and a low side ambient temperature  17 . This arrangement may be beneficial when, for example, the high temperature storage  2  is kept at a relatively low temperature. In this case, the high side ambient temperature  9  may be maintained at a lower temperature than the low side ambient temperature  17 . The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. The embodiment in  FIG. 3  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  except, instead of a high temperature regenerator, an alternative power source providing photovoltaic direct current electric energy  51 , piezoelectric direct current electric energy  52 , or electromagnetic electrical energy  53  is provided for the heater  5 . The alternative power source may also be a conventional power source such as a battery, an engine, etc. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, indirect contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. The embodiment in  FIG. 4  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  except, instead of a low temperature regenerator, an alternative power source providing photovoltaic direct current electric energy  51 , piezoelectric direct current electric energy  52 , or electromagnetic electrical energy  53  is provided for the chiller  7 . Again, the alternative power source also may be a conventional power source such as a battery, an engine, etc. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. The embodiment in  FIG. 5  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  except, instead of a high temperature regenerator and low temperature regenerator, both are replaced with an alternative power source providing photovoltaic direct current electric energy  51 , piezoelectric direct current electric energy  52 , or electromagnetic electrical energy  53  for the heater  5  and chiller  7 . The power sources may also be a conventional power source such as a battery, an engine, solar, geothermal, electromagnetic, etc. This embodiment may be beneficial when both energy sources have an available man-made wasted thermal energy source. In this case, it may not be necessary to include regeneration capabilities in the system. This embodiment may be beneficial when one or more energy sources have an available man-made wasted thermal energy source. In this case, it may not be necessary to include regeneration capabilities in the system or it may only be necessary to include a reduced capacity for regeneration of the thermal energy needed to maintain the phase change materials at the appropriate temperature. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. In  FIG. 6 , the high temperature source is replaced with an alternative high temperature heat source  48 . In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature heat source  48  may be, e.g., heat from nuclear fuel rods, lava from an active volcano, heat from a furnace, body temperature, etc. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. In  FIG. 7 , the low temperature source is replaced with an alternative cold temperature source  50 . In exemplary embodiments, the low temperature source may be, e.g., from a glacier, ocean, etc. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system.  FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  except the high temperature storage  2  is replaced with a direct connection to an alternative high temperature heat source  48 . In exemplary embodiments, the high temperature heat source  48  may be, e.g., heat from nuclear fuel rods, lava from an active volcano, heat from a furnace, body temperature, etc. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system.  FIG. 9  is similar to  FIG. 6  except the low temperature storage  3  is replaced with a connection to an alternative cold source  50 . As described above, various alternative sources are available. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. In  FIG. 10  the high temperature storage  2  is replaced with a connection to an alternative high temperature heat source  48  and the low temperature storage  3  is replaced with a direct connection to an alternative cold source  50 . As described above, various alternative sources are available. The higher side temperature and/or the lower side temperature may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIGS. 6-9  are similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 10  except a phase change material is also present in case the alternative sources are intermittent or fluctuating in temperature. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heating and cooling system.  FIG. 11  is similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  but also includes a heat exchanger  10  to provide heating and/or cooling on demand. In this exemplary embodiment, the high temperature inlet  12  and low temperature inlet  11  provided use liquid or vapor that is heated or cooled by the high temperature storage  2  or the low temperature storage  3  to the heat exchanger  10  which cools the liquid or vapor received from the low temperature inlet  11  or further warms the liquid or vapor received from the high temperature inlet  12 . The liquid or vapor then exits the heat exchanger through the high temperature outlet  13 , or the low temperature outlet  14 , into a plenum or tank  15  where it is distributed to desired locations via pipe or duct, by traditional methods using pumps or fans  16 . It releases its thermal energy into the atmosphere to be heated or cooled and then is returned to the high temperature storage  2  or the low temperature storage  3  via the high temperature return  18  or low temperature return  19 , the plenum or tank  15  and the heat exchanger  10 . In this embodiment the electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator  1  may be used to generate electrical power for other devices. The higher side temperature(s) and/or the lower side temperature(s) may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system.  FIG. 12  is similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11  but may not, if desired, power ancillary devices except for the pumps or fans  16 , from the thermoelectric generator  1 . The higher side temperature(s) and/or the lower side temperature(s) may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating, heating and cooling system. In this embodiment, there are no regenerators; there are two thermoelectric generators  1  one using high temperature storage  2  and the high side ambient temperature  9  to power the chiller  7 , the other the thermoelectric generator  1  between the low side ambient temperature  17  and low temperature storage  3  to power the heater  5  and the pump or fan  16 . The higher side temperature(s) and/or the lower side temperature(s) may be in direct contact, in direct contact, or in thermal communication with the thermoelectric generator. 
     Although many of the exemplary embodiments described above are single modifications to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , it should be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the same or similar variations could be made to, for example,  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the various exemplary modifications could be made in combination with each other to create additional exemplary embodiments. 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems. In exemplary embodiments, a more efficient thermoelectric device may be used instead of a generic off the shelf device. 
     Additional details of the exemplary embodiment described in  FIG. 14  can be found in  FIGS. 15-20 .  FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems.  FIG. 16  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems.  FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation systems.  FIG. 18  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices.  FIG. 19  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices.  FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of semiconductor posts that may be used in exemplary embodiments of thermoelectric devices; 
     The thermoelectric device  39 , 43 , 45  may comprise vacuum seal foils  22  that seal both ends of the module to create evacuated, or sustainably evacuated, chambers. The chambers may contain an amount of heat pipe working fluid  23 , (e.g. water, acetone, butane, or other suitable materials). When the vacuum seal foils  22  are vacuum sealed onto the two outermost thermally conductive thermoplastic elastomer electrical insulating skins  24  that have cutouts to match chambers is attached, using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, electrical conductor layer  25  and electrical input/output (I/O) layer  28  which are slightly smaller than the voided areas  31  that have wicking grooves  32 , to allow for universal orientation of module, in semiconductor posts  26 ,  27  that are attached, using thermally and electrically conductive epoxy, to the electrical conductor layers  25  and electrical input/output layers  28 . By effectively adding an internal heat pipe thru the semiconductor posts, various benefits may be realized. For example, in exemplary embodiments, less mass in the posts leads to less thermal resistivity which adds efficiency; holes in the posts add surface area allowing more electrons to flow; and/or heat pipe latent energy may reduce the thermal resistivity of the posts, which adds efficiency. For example, if a hole is placed in each post reducing its thermal resistance by about 30% and also expanding the surface area to allow more electron flow of about 40%, doing so may increase efficiency of the thermoelectric module up to 82 percent. Certain embodiments of thermal electric devices disclosed herein may have an efficiency of between 9 to 15 percent of converting heat energy into electrical energy. However, that efficiency is based upon having to generate the heat from a fuel, not from a harvest. Other efficiency ranges are also contemplated. 
     In exemplary embodiments, individual semiconductor posts  26 ,  27  may be arranged in series electrically and in parallel thermally, beginning with the top or “hot” side layer. The series begins with a layer commencing with a positive electrical conductor I/O tab  29  on the right bottom of the layer, when viewed from the top, connecting to a semiconductor n-type post  26 , alternating between semiconductor post types  26 ,  27  until ending with a semiconductor p-type post  27  that is connected to a negative electrical conductor I/O tab  30  on the bottom left, when viewed from the top. The I/O tab  30  may be connected to the next layer&#39;s positive electrical conductor I/O tab  29  on the bottom left of this layer, when viewed from the top, that connects to a semiconductor n-type post  26 , alternating between semiconductor post types  27 ,  26  until ending with a semiconductor post p-type  27  that is connected to a negative electrical conductor I/O tab  30  on the bottom right of that layer. This structure may continue alternating layer by layer, until a desired number of layers is achieved. In exemplary embodiments, the bottom-most layer ends with a semiconductor p-type post  27  that is connected to a negative electrical conductor I/O tab  30  on the bottom right of the stack. The final electrical input/output (I/O) layer  28  may be attached, using e.g., thermal and electrically conductive epoxy, to a final, bottom or “cold” side, thermally conductive thermoplastic elastomer electrical insulating skin  24  that is sealed using vacuum seal foil  22 . In certain embodiments, the number of layers may be between 2-5, 5-10, 10-50, 40-100, etc. depending upon the thermal difference between the high and low temperatures. The number of layers may vary significantly depending on the configuration of the particular embodiment. 
     In exemplary embodiments, these exemplary modules may be used in the systems in a number of different manners or combinations thereof. For example, the thermoelectric device may be used as an energy converter, in configurations such as (i) a thermoelectric generator module stack  39 , where a high thermal energy is applied to the top side and a low thermal energy is applied to the bottom side, a positive polarity output electrical flow  47  is achieved, (ii) as a thermoelectric heater module stack  43 , when a positive polarity input electrical flow from harvest source  44  is applied and (iii), as a thermoelectric chiller module stack  45 , when a negative polarity input electrical flow from harvest source  46  is applied. 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. The exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 21  uses a thermoelectric generator  39  which may, in exemplary embodiments, be of scalable size and number to achieve the desired positive polarity output electrical flow  47 . The thermoelectric generator  39  may be attached on the “hot” side, using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, to the flat and smooth surface of a high temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  38  and may be attached on the “cold” side, using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, to the flat and smooth surface of a low temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  40 . The substantially complete adhesion of these casings, avoiding, or substantially reducing, micro voids may, in some embodiments, be beneficial to the performance of the energy conversion. Both the high temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  38  and the low temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  40  may extend into a stored thermal energy mass in the shape of hollow tubes each of which may have a sintered layer  37  that acts as an interior wick for the heat pipe working fluid  36 . The heat pipes may be designed using well-known methods of thermodynamics and may be purchased from a number of sources in the heat transfer industry. The high temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  38  tubes may extend into a latent heat thermal energy mass of high temperature phase change material  34  with a high density energy storage that stores heat within a narrow temperature range and a latent heat of &gt;180 J/g. The low temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  40  tubes may extend into a latent heat thermal energy mass of low temperature phase change material  42  with a high density energy storage that stores heat within a narrow temperature range and a latent heat of, for example, &gt;180 J/g. In exemplary embodiments, the phase change material may have combinations of the properties identified in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Phase Change Material Properties 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 PEAK MELT 
                 PEAK MELT 
                   
                   
                 LATENT 
                 LATENT 
                 SPEC. HEAT 
                 SPEC. HEAT 
               
               
                 TEMPERATURE 
                 TEMPERATURE 
                 DENSITY 
                 DENSITY 
                 HEAT 
                 HEAT 
                 (J/g ° C.) 
                 (BTU/lb ° F.) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 (° C.) 
                 (° F.) 
                 (g/cm 3 ) 
                 (lb/ft 3 ) 
                 (J/g) 
                 (BTU/lb) 
                 SOLID 
                 LIQUID 
                 SOLID 
                 LIQUID 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 −37 
                 −35 
                 0.88 
                 54.6 
                 147 
                 63 
                 1.39 
                 1.99 
                 0.042 
                 0.061 
               
               
                 −23.8 
                 −11 
                 −92 
                 57.4 
                 215 
                 93 
                   
                   
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
               
               
                 −15 
                 5 
                 1.03 
                 64.5 
                 265 
                 114 
                 1.84 
                 2.06 
                 0.056 
                 0.063 
               
               
                 −12 
                 10 
                 0.87 
                 54.4 
                 168 
                 72 
                 1.86 
                 2.07 
                 0.057 
                 0.063 
               
               
                 −5 
                 23 
                 0.86 
                 53.7 
                 180 
                 78 
                 1.66 
                 1.93 
                 0.051 
                 0.059 
               
               
                 1 
                 34 
                 1.00 
                 62.4 
                 275 
                 118 
                 2.32 
                 2.43 
                 0.071 
                 0.074 
               
               
                 4 
                 39 
                 0.87 
                 54.3 
                 195 
                 84 
                 1.28 
                 1.65 
                 0.039 
                 0.050 
               
               
                 6 
                 43 
               
               
                 8 
                 46 
                 0.86 
                 53.8 
                 180 
                 78 
                 1.85 
                 2.15 
                 0.056 
                 0.066 
               
               
                 12 
                 54 
                 0.86 
                 53.7 
                 185 
                 80 
                 1.76 
                 2.25 
                 0.054 
                 0.069 
               
               
                 15 
                 59 
                 0.86 
                 53.8 
                 165 
                 71 
                 2.25 
                 2.56 
                 0.069 
                 0.078 
               
               
                 18 
                 64 
                 0.86 
                 53.4 
                 189 
                 81 
                 1.47 
                 1.74 
                 0.045 
                 0.053 
               
               
                 20 
                 68 
                 0.86 
                 53.8 
                 190 
                 82 
                 2.59 
                 2.89 
                 0.079 
                 0.088 
               
               
                 23 
                 73 
                 0.83 
                 51.9 
                 203 
                 87 
                 1.84 
                 1.99 
                 0.056 
                 0.061 
               
               
                 24 
                 75 
                 0.86 
                 53.7 
                 189 
                 81 
                 2.85 
                 3.04 
                 0.087 
                 0.093 
               
               
                 27 
                 81 
                 0.86 
                 53.9 
                 200 
                 86 
                 2.46 
                 2.63 
                 0.075 
                 0.080 
               
               
                 28 
                 82 
                 0.86 
                 53.7 
                 205 
                 88 
                 2.34 
                 2.54 
                 0.071 
                 0.077 
               
               
                 29 
                 84 
                 0.85 
                 53.2 
                 189 
                 81 
                 1.77 
                 1.94 
                 0.054 
                 0.059 
               
               
                 30 
                 86 
                 0.89 
                 55.7 
                 163 
                 70 
                 1.58 
                 1.62 
                 0.048 
                 0.049 
               
               
                 33 
                 91 
                 0.85 
                 52.9 
                 185 
                 80 
                 2.34 
                 2.53 
                 0.071 
                 0.077 
               
               
                 37 
                 99 
                 0.84 
                 52.4 
                 222 
                 96 
                 1.0 
                 1.09 
                 0.031 
                 0.033 
               
               
                 40 
                 104 
                 0.85 
                 53.1 
                 198 
                 85 
                 1.98 
                 2.13 
                 0.060 
                 0.065 
               
               
                 43 
                 109 
                 0.88 
                 55.1 
                 180 
                 78 
                 1.87 
                 1.94 
                 0.057 
                 0.059 
               
               
                 48 
                 118 
                 0.82 
                 51.1 
                 245 
                 106 
                 2.10 
                 2.27 
                 0.064 
                 0.069 
               
               
                 50 
                 122 
                 0.86 
                 53.8 
                 200 
                 86 
                 1.82 
                 1.94 
                 0.056 
                 0.059 
               
               
                 56 
                 133 
                 0.81 
                 50.7 
                 237 
                 102 
                 1.47 
                 2.71 
                 0.075 
                 0.083 
               
               
                 61 
                 142 
                 0.84 
                 52.4 
                 199 
                 86 
                 1.99 
                 2.16 
                 0.061 
                 0.066 
               
               
                 68 
                 154 
                 0.87 
                 54.3 
                 198 
                 85 
                 1.85 
                 1.91 
                 0.056 
                 0.058 
               
               
                 103 
                 217 
                 1.22 
                 76.2 
                 157 
                 68 
                 2.09 
                 2.28 
                 0.064 
                 0.069 
               
               
                 133 
                 271 
                 1.21 
                 75.5 
                 230 
                 99 
                 1.57 
                 1.95 
                 0.048 
                 0.059 
               
               
                 142 
                 288 
                 1.27 
                 79.4 
                 180 
                 78 
                 1.61 
                 1.76 
                 0.049 
                 0.054 
               
               
                 151 
                 304 
                 1.36 
                 84.9 
                 182 
                 78 
                 2.06 
                 2.17 
                 0.063 
                 0.066 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In exemplary embodiments, the stored energy can be calculated using the following equation; 
     
       
         
           
             
               kW 
               h 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     
                       cm 
                       3 
                     
                     * 
                     
                       g 
                       
                         cm 
                         3 
                       
                     
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 * 
                 
                   J 
                   g 
                 
               
               
                 3 
                 , 
                 600 
                 , 
                 000 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where stored latent heat energy (kW/h) equals the volume of phase change material (cm 3 ) multiplied by the phase change material density (g/cm 3 ); the sum of which is then multiplied by the phase change material latent heat storage capability (J/g) and then the total (J) is converted into kW/h by dividing by 3,600,000. 
     Both the high temperature phase change material  34  and/or the low temperature phase change material  42  may have additional heat pipes embedded to ensure their temperature is maintained or substantially maintained. 
     A high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  with the tube portion embedded into the high temperature phase change material  34  may include a sintered layer  37  designed to wick the heat pipe working fluid  36  and may also include a flat and smooth surface of the same high temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  34 . In exemplary embodiments, the heat pipe may extend beyond the insulating casket  33 . Similarly, a low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  with the tube portion embedded into the low temperature phase change material  42  may include a sintered layer  37  designed to wick the heat pipe working fluid  36  and a flat and smooth surface of the same low temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41 . In exemplary embodiments, the heat pipe may extend beyond the insulating casket  33  which may aid in conducting the thermal energy from a remote source into the device. 
     When determining the temperature for both the high temperature phase change material  34  and the low temperature phase change material  42 , the local temperature, hot or cold, that naturally occurs and/or occurs as a secondary waste from a primary action, may be exploited. For example, if installing the system in a factory in the desert with a high average daytime temperature and/or where there are other sources of heat that occur as byproducts of work done at the factory during the day, that heat may be used to maintain and/or increase the high temperature of the high temperature phase change material  34  thereby making it easier to achieve and maintain a large thermal distance. In certain applications, multiple first and second temperatures may be available to be exploited which may permit systems that use multiple temperature differentials using multiple suitable phase change materials. 
     For example,  FIG. 21  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. As shown in  FIG. 21 , thermoelectric heater module stacks  43  may attach to the high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, to its flat and smooth outside surface. The heat may be generated by adding positive polarity input electrical flow from harvest sources  44 . Also, thermoelectric chiller module stacks  45  are attached to the low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, to its flat and smooth outside surface. The cooling may be generated by adding negative polarity input electrical flow from harvest source  46 . 
       FIG. 22  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. Referring to  FIG. 22 , if there is a heat source  48  that can be harvested, the thermoelectric heater module stacks  43  referenced in  FIG. 21  may be eliminated or reduced and the high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  can be attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the waste source of high temperature thermal energy. The area of the high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  that is not connected to the heat source  48  may be sealed in a thermally non-conductive material  49 . 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. Referring to  FIG. 23 , if there is a cold temperature source  50  that can be harvested, the thermoelectric chiller module stacks  45  referenced in  FIG. 21  can be eliminated, or reduced, and the low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  can be attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the waste source of low temperature thermal energy. The area of the low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  that is not connected to the cold temperature source  50  may be sealed in a thermally non-conductive material  49 . 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. Referring to  FIG. 24 , if there is a heat source  48  as well as a cold source  50  that can be harvested, the thermoelectric heater module stacks  43  as well as the thermoelectric chiller module stacks  45  can be eliminated or reduced and the high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  as well as the low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  can be attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the waste source of high temperature thermal energy and the waste source of low temperature thermal energy respectively. The area of the high temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  35  and the area of the low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing  41  that is not connected to the cold temperature source  50  may be sealed in a thermally non-conductive material  49 . 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system. Referring to  FIG. 25 , the need to harvest and convert additional energy to maintain the mass and thermal difference in order to achieve a constant stable electrical supply may exist to some degree in various applications. Energy harvesting using known methods such as harvested photovoltaic direct current electric energy  51 , harvested piezoelectric direct current electric energy  52 , and harvested electromagnetic energy  53 , along with other types can power the thermoelectric heater  33 . In this manner, the heater  54  may heat to boiling the working fluid into working fluid vapor  55  in the high temperature heat pipe  56  that transfers its heat as it travels a flow path  57  towards a lower temperature into the high temperature thermal storage  59  and in so doing cools and is wicked as the condensed working fluid return  58 . In exemplary embodiments, this may be used to power the thermoelectric chiller  61  to cool to a liquid low temperature working fluid into chilled working fluid  62  in the low temperature heat pipe  63  that travels towards the low temperature thermal storage  66  along the outer heat pipe walls  64  and in doing so is heated, changing from a liquid to a vapor, and is wicked back towards the thermoelectric chiller  61 , as shown as the heated working fluid  65 . In exemplary embodiments, this process maintains a substantially high temperature transfer  60  and a low temperature transfer  67  in contact with opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator modules  68  generating a configurable, scalable, constant, and/or reliable renewable source of direct current electrical output. 
       FIG. 26  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation system utilizing spent nuclear fuel rods as the harvested heat source. In  FIG. 26  a nuclear spent fuel rod harvested energy converter absorbs thermal energy at multiple conversion energy conversion layers to generate electrical energy. In embodiments, this eliminates or substantially reduces the costly active water and air cooling methods currently in use as well as providing a quadruple redundancy safety casket.  FIG. 26  shows multiple layers beginning with the outermost reinforced concrete  70  (e.g., 14,500 psi) outer wall with stainless steel interior liner  71 . Exemplary embodiments may also comprise a lead loaded vinyl exterior liner coating on the outermost reinforced concrete outer wall  70  with a secondary reinforced 8,000 psi concrete outer wall having an outer protection layer of bituthene low temperature self-adhering, rubberized asphalt/polyethylene waterproofing membrane system of the standard type for subterranean structures. The outermost reinforced concrete outer wall  70  with stainless steel interior liner  71  encapsulates a large volume of low temperature phase change material  72  around the entire or substantial portion of the assembly including the top and bottom of the structure. The phase change material may be integrated with heat pipes (e.g., Cu heat pipes) with low temperature working fluid (e.g., Ammonia, Acetone)  73 , that extend above and below the transfer band through the low temperature phase change material  72 , passing through the outermost reinforced concrete  70  outer wall and stainless steel interior liner  71  and into the surrounding fill material (e.g., earth, sand, ash and/or clay) in order to maintain the coldest possible (or at least a cold) temperature at the thermoelectric cold transfer location for the first thermoelectric layer. The thermoelectric layer may be comprised of multiple layers of low temperature thermoelectric generator module stacks  74  e.g., of the type described in  FIG. 14 , that are connected with a SiC ceramic outer seal plug  75 , creating the outer encapsulated chamber. In exemplary embodiments, He gas  76  may be added and that may make up the “hot” side of the first thermoelectric layer and the “cool” side of the second thermoelectric layer comprised of a liquid to vapor thermoelectric ring  77  of SiC separated alternating chambers of HgCdTe:B and HgCdTe:P. In exemplary embodiments, this may be separated by a narrow vacant area within the outer evacuated chamber (which may include He gas  76 ), that makes up the “hot” side of the second thermoelectric layer and the “cool” side of the third and final thermoelectric layer comprised of a high temperature thermoelectric ring  78  of separated alternating posts of SiC:Se and SiC:Sb  79 , that is thermally bonded to the secondary SiC absorption wall with integrated sintered heat pipes using liquid CO2 for high temperature working fluid  80 , that may extend above and below the transfer band by passing through a sealed lid and floor of SiC ceramic plates, then, through a separated upper and lower area of low temperature phase change material  72 , where they combine with each other in non-adjacent groups of four, penetrate the upper casing into a top cavity constructed in the same manner as the outermost reinforced concrete  70  outer wall with a stainless steel interior liner  71  and/or a lead loaded vinyl exterior liner coated with a secondary reinforced 8,000 psi concrete wall having an outer protection layer of bituthene low temperature self-adhering, rubberized asphalt/polyethylene waterproofing membrane system of the standard type for subterranean structures, to enable different working fluids to be used as the fuel rods at the center cool, in order to extend the maximum electrical generation. The chamber may be designed with dual protection hatches to remove, add or replace fuel rods using standard methods. In embodiments, this may encapsulate the middle evacuated chamber, connected with vertical titanium seal plugs  81 , encapsulating the primary SiC absorption wall  82  with integrated heat pipes that use liquid carbon dioxide working fluid  83 , that may extend above and below the transfer band by passing through a sealed lid and floor of SiC ceramic plates, then, through a separated upper and lower area of low temperature phase change material  72 , where they combine with each other in non-adjacent groups of four, penetrate the upper casing into a top cavity constructed in the same manner as the outermost reinforced concrete  70  wall with a stainless steel interior liner  71  and/or a lead loaded vinyl exterior liner coated with a secondary reinforced 8,000 psi concrete wall having an outer protection layer of bituthene low temperature self-adhering, rubberized asphalt/polyethylene waterproofing membrane system of the standard type for subterranean structures, to enable different working fluids to be used as the fuel rods at the center cool, in order to extend the maximum electrical generation, forming a large area inner evacuated chamber with He gas  76  added, to evenly disperse heat radiation of the spent nuclear fuel rods  84  housed within. In exemplary embodiments, additional electrical energy may be harvested in the following manner. The primary SiC absorption wall  82  may include Alpha Voltaic Conversion Layer SiC tiles with deep wells coated with Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) designed to take advantage of the presence of alpha radiation and/or Beta Voltaic Conversion Layer SiC tiles with deep wells coated with Tritium (T) designed to take advantage of the presence of beta radiation and/or Thermophotovoltaic Conversion Layer of SiC thermal emitters and Gallium Antimonide (GaSb) photovoltaic diode cells to take advantage of radioactive decay thermal energy. 
       FIG. 27  is a schematic drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric energy generation. As seen in  FIG. 27 , the device includes high temperature heat plates  85  with integrated heat pipes and low temperature heat plates  86  with integrated heat pipes, alternating on opposing sides of thermoelectric generator modules  68 , bonded together with thermally conductive adhesive, making up the thermoelectric generator core  87 . The ends of the high temperature heat plates  85  that do not have thermoelectric generator modules  68  attached to them are embedded in the high temperature phase change material  34  in order to maintain a high temperature to the desired “hot” side of each thermoelectric generator module  68 . The ends of the low temperature heat plates  86  that do not have thermoelectric generator modules  68  attached to them are embedded in the low temperature phase change material  42  in order to maintain a low temperature to the desired “cold” side of each thermoelectric generator module  68 . The device also includes a Ni-chrome coil heater  88  that is embedded in the high temperature phase change material  34  that may be powered by additional thermoelectric generator modules  68 , with their “cold side” connected to the low temperature phase change material  42  and their “hot side connected to a conductive connection mount  91  that may be attached to any conductive surface, harvesting high side ambient temperature  9  to convert a thermal difference into electrical energy. Both the high temperature phase change material  34  and the low temperature phase change material  42 , are encapsulated in a thermally insulated outer casing  92 . Additionally, the device includes thermoelectric chiller modules  90  that are embedded in the low temperature phase change material  42  that may be powered by additional thermoelectric generator modules  68 , with their “hot” side connected to the high temperature phase change material  34  and their “cold” side connected to a conductive connection mount  91  that may be attached to any conductive surface, harvesting low side ambient temperature  17 , to convert a thermal difference into electrical energy. The conductive connection mounts  91  use the thermally conductive outer shell strap  89  to maintain positive thermal connections to the additional thermoelectric generator modules  68 . An alternative to this embodiment would utilize the conductive connection mount  91  to connect the device to outside wasted or ambient thermal source(s). The electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric generator core  87  may be drawn in configurable outputs of desired voltages and amps using the integrated voltage/current pin-out board  93 . 
       FIG. 28  is a schematic diagram of a solar thermal and photovoltaic energy harvesting system to provide buildings or other structures with thermoelectric electricity, hot water, comfort heating, comfort cooling or combinations thereof. Referring to  FIG. 28 , one or more parabolic trough(s)  94 , further described in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , with a reflective surface  95 , that faces the sun that may be enclosed by glass panels  96  that may be coated with one-way mirror on its outward surface, so as to allow the sunlight and heat in, while not allowing it out (or at least reducing the loss), collects the sun&#39;s rays  97  and focusing the sun&#39;s heat onto a pipe  98  filled with an oil that flows through the pipe in a convection loop  99  to heat a reservoir of organic phase change material  100  that becomes a liquid at 133° C. The heated reservoir of organic phase change material  100  is insulated with high R-value insulation so as to maintain, or substantially maintain, heat during times when there is little or no sunlight. To provide water heating, a cold waterline  101  supplies and keeps a water storage tank  102 , that is further described in  FIG. 31 , filled so that a heat loop inlet  103  draws water from the water storage tank  102 , by using a water pump  104  when electrically powered. The water is pumped through a waterline loop  105  that passes through the heated reservoir of organic phase change material  100  in a single or multiple loop which heats the water as it flows through the heated reservoir of organic phase change material  100  and then back down into the water storage tank  102  where it exits a heat loop outlet  106 . The water storage tank  102  is insulated with high R-value insulation so as to maintain, or substantially maintain, the heated water that is distributed throughout the building through a hot water supply line(s)  107 . To provide comfort heating, insulated transfer pipes  108  flow the liquid phase change material that is stored in the reservoir of organic phase change material  100  and the liquid phase change material stored in the secondary reservoir of organic phase change material  109  by convection in loops. A temperature shut-off valve may be placed in the loop to stop the flow at times when there is little or no sunlight. The secondary reservoir of organic phase change material  109  is insulated with high R-value insulation so as to maintain, or substantially maintain, the heated liquid organic phase change material. When heated air is desired, a thermostat or control switch  110  starts a blower  111  that is electrically powered and draws air  112  from the conditioned space through a filtered return air grill  113  and blows the air through heat ducts  114  that are made of thermally-conductive material and run through the secondary reservoir of organic phase change material  109  heating the air as it passes, after which it blows through an insulated plenum  115  and into insulated distribution ducts, blowing into the desired conditioned area  116 . To provide comfort cooling, a photovoltaic panel(s)  117  or other renewable energy source such as wind or thermoelectric generates electrical energy which is stored in capacitor arrays  21  to provide a stable output to thermoelectric chiller modules  90  attached to low temperature heat plates  86  that chill organic phase change material that becomes a solid at −15° C. in a tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material  118 . When cooled air is desired, a thermostat or control switch  110  starts a blower  111  that is electrically powered and which draws air  112  from the conditioned space through a filtered return air grill  113  and blows the air through chilling ducts  119  that are made of thermally conductive material and run through the tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material  118 , cooling the air as it passes, after which it blows through an insulated plenum  115  and into insulated distribution ducts, blowing into the desired conditioned area  116 . Further details for comfort heating and cooling are described in  FIGS. 32-35 . For electric power generation, a thermoelectric generator core  87  as described in  FIG. 27 , is set between the chilled tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material  118  and the heated secondary reservoir of organic phase change material  109 , in order to maintain a temperature differential sufficient enough to generate electrical energy that may be connected via electrical wiring  120  to a DC electrical sub-panel  121  where the electricity can be distributed to electrical loads via electrical wiring  120 . 
     Additional details of the exemplary embodiment described in  FIG. 28  can be found in  FIGS. 29-35 .  FIG. 29  is a plan view and corresponding elevation and isometric views of a solar thermal collection system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, hot water heating, comfort heating, cooling systems or combinations thereof.  FIG. 30  is another plan view with corresponding section views of a solar thermal collection system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, hot water heating, comfort heating, cooling systems or combinations thereof.  FIG. 31  is a plan view and corresponding elevation, section and isometric views of a solar thermal hot water tank of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary hot water heating systems.  FIG. 32  is a plan view and corresponding elevation views of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, comfort heating and/or cooling systems.  FIG. 33  is another plan view and corresponding isometric views of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, comfort heating and/or cooling systems.  FIG. 34  is another plan view and corresponding section views of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, comfort heating and/or cooling systems.  FIG. 35  is an isometric view and corresponding detail views of a thermoelectric comfort heating and/or comfort cooling system of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in exemplary thermoelectric energy generation, comfort heating and/or cooling systems. 
       FIGS. 36 and 37  are a plan views and corresponding elevation, section, isometric, and detail views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric cooling system. An exemplary embodiment of a system, method and/or apparatus of a thermoelectric cooling system as described in  FIGS. 36 and 37  where a photovoltaic panel(s)  117  or other renewable energy source such as wind or thermoelectric generates electrical energy where it is stored in capacitor arrays  21  or building grid power converted to DC power to provide a stable output to thermoelectric chiller modules  90  attached to low temperature heat plates  86  that chill organic phase change material that becomes a solid at −15° C. in a tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material  118 . When cooled air is desired, a thermostat or control switch  110  starts a blower  111  that is electrically powered, which draws air  112  from the conditioned space through a filtered return air grill  113  and blows the air through chilling ducts  119  that are made of thermally conductive material and run through the tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material  118 , cooling the air as it passes, after which it blows through an insulated plenum  115  and into insulated distribution ducts, blowing into the desired conditioned area  116 . 
       FIG. 38  and  FIG. 39  are plan views with corresponding elevation, section and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a portable thermoelectric heating, cooling and/or electrical generation system. Referring to  FIG. 38 , a Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar-type fan unit, is set in a housing, designed to accommodate the Dyson air multiplier&#39;s  134  air input openings, of a removable chill reservoir  135  designed to provide suitable airflow for the air input openings of the a Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar-type fan unit when it is in cooling mode. Additionally, the same Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar type fan unit, may also be set in a housing, designed to accommodate the Dyson air multiplier&#39;s  134  air input openings, of a removable heat reservoir when it is in heating mode. A control box  127  along with capacitor array  21  wiring chases  138 , heat sinks  124  and a thermoelectric generator core  87  is at the center of the unit with the removable chill reservoir  135  on one side and the removable heat reservoir  136  on the other side of the thermoelectric generator core  87 . This portion of the system may be placed with either side (hot or cold) up within its base  139  that is wrapped with a photovoltaic skirt  137  that supplies electrical power to the system&#39;s heating, cooling and air movement needs. Additionally, as described in  FIG. 39 , a Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar-type fan unit, is set in a housing, designed to accommodate the Dyson air multiplier&#39;s  134  air input openings, of a removable chill reservoir  135  filled with low temperature phase change material  42  with integrated chilling ducts  119  that are designed to provide suitable airflow for the air input openings of the a Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar-type fan unit when it is in cooling mode. During the cooling operation the Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar type fan draws air from the local environment through the integrated chilling ducts  119  where it is cooled as it rejects heat into the low temperature phase change material  42  and blows the cooled air back out into the local environment. The low temperature phase change material  42  is kept at the desired temperature by using power obtained by the photovoltaic skirt  137 , conditioned and stored until needed in the capacitor array  21 , to run thermoelectric chiller modules  90  placed on both sides of low temperature heat plates  86 , with the thermoelectric chiller modules&#39;  90  “cold” side facing into the low temperature heat plates  86 , and their “hot” side connected to heat sinks  124 , that are partially embedded and sealed around their exit of the removable chill reservoir  135  filled with low temperature phase change material  42 . Additionally, the same Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar-type fan unit, is set in a housing designed to accommodate the Dyson air multiplier&#39;s  134  air input openings, of a removable heat reservoir  136  filled with high temperature phase change material  34  with integrated heating ducts  114  that are designed to provide suitable airflow for the air input openings of the a Dyson air multiplier  134  or similar type fan unit when it is in heating mode. During the heating operation the Dyson air multiplier  134 , fan or similar type fan draws air from the local environment through the integrated heat ducts  114  where it is heated as it draws heat from the high temperature phase change material  34  and blows the heated air back out into the local environment. The high temperature phase change material  34  is kept at the desired temperature by using power obtained by the photovoltaic skirt  137 , conditioned and stored until needed in the capacitor array  21 , to run thermoelectric heaters  122  placed on both sides of high temperature heat plates  85 , with the thermoelectric heater&#39;s  122  “hot” side facing into the high temperature heat pipes  85  and “cold” side connected to heat sinks  124  that are partially embedded and sealed around their exit of the removable heat reservoir  136  filled with high temperature phase change material  34 . As a result of a substantial thermal difference held between the removable heat reservoir  136  and the removable chill reservoir  135  the thermoelectric generator core  87  being in direct contact of each reservoir&#39;s thermally conductive skin  149  generates electrical energy for use as needed or stored in the capacitor array  21  for later use. 
       FIGS. 40 and 41  are an elevation view and corresponding other elevation, plan, section, detail and isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric solid-state refrigeration system. Referring to  FIG. 40 , a refrigerator chamber  145  and freezer chamber  145  would maintain a low temperature to refrigerate and/or freeze stored food or other perishables are lined with thermally conductive skin  149  facing the inner chambers and thermally insulated outer casing  92  facing outward into ambient temperature. The cavity created between the thermally conductive skin  149  and the thermally insulated outer casing  92  may be filled with low temperature phase change material  42 . An additional layer of an insulating barrier  8 , such as rigid foam insulation, may be used to further maintain the cavities&#39; temperatures. To bring the refrigerator chamber  145  and freezer chamber  146  to desired temperatures and to maintain those temperatures, low temperature heat pipes  63  may be embedded into the low temperature phase change material  42  with a portion protruding beyond the thermally-insulated outer casing  92  to fit and attach thermoelectric chiller modules  90  with their “cold” side to the low temperature heat pipes  63  and their “hot” side attached to a heat sink  124 . The thermoelectric chiller modules  90  may be powered using any DC power source available. While not being powered to chill, the thermoelectric chiller modules  90  may have a thermal difference between their “cold” side and “hot” side effectively making them thermoelectric generators  1  as they slowly leak the heat from the outer ambient temperature into the low temperature phase change material  42 . This electrical energy may be stored in a capacitor array  21  to aid in the re-chilling or power lights when the insulated door  141  of either the refrigerator chamber  145  or freezer chamber  146  is opened. The system may also include adjustable feet  143  for leveling purposes, door handles  142 , door panel frames  144  with appropriate opening hardware and shelve and bin racks  147  for storage purposes. 
       FIG. 42  is a schematic section view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric harvesting configuration. An exemplary embodiment of a system, method and/or apparatus of thermoelectric energy conversion as described in  FIG. 27 , used to power electric motor(s) in vehicles may have a thermal regeneration system using a thermoelectric harvesting configuration as shown in  FIG. 42 , comprised of thermoelectric generators  1  attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the underside of the outer thermally conductive skin  149  that makes up a vehicle&#39;s outer shell, which is exposed to the elemental and atmospheric temperature differences relative to location and time of day and/or year and absorb or reject thermal energy. The opposite side of the thermoelectric generators  1  may be connected to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that may act as a thermal absorber/rejecter that is shielded, simply by orientation, to the elemental and atmospheric temperature differences relative to location and time of day and/or year, causing a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  and generating electrical energy. The electrical harvest will vary based on location, weather and/or speed, at which the vehicle was moving. For certain embodiments, another harvesting opportunity for the thermal regeneration system may be available from the heat caused by friction in the braking system. As shown in  FIG. 42 , thermoelectric generators  1  attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the backside braking discs  151  absorb heat as a driver uses the brakes to slow or come to a stop. The opposite side of the thermoelectric generators  1  may be connected to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that may act as a thermal absorber/rejecter, causing a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  and generating electrical energy. Another harvesting opportunity for the thermal regeneration system may be available from the comfort heating system waste, as shown in  FIG. 42 , thermoelectric generators  1  attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the areas that typically “leak” heat intended for the vehicle occupants, such as duct walls and vent plates  152  absorb the waste thermal energy. The opposite side of the thermoelectric generators  1  may be connected to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that would act as a thermal rejecter, causing a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  and generating electrical energy. Another harvesting opportunity for the thermal regeneration system may be available from the comfort cooling system waste, as shown in  FIG. 42 , thermoelectric generators  1  attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the areas that typically “leak” chilling intended for the vehicle occupants, such as duct walls and vent plates  152  rejecting the waste thermal energy. The opposite side of the thermoelectric generators  1  may be connected to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that would act as a thermal absorber, causing a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  and generating electrical energy. 
       FIG. 43  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system utilizing multiple thermal regeneration methods for use in land vehicles. Now referring to  FIG. 43 , the thermoelectric generator core  87  of the thermoelectric generator described in  FIG. 27  uses the thermal differences stored in two thermally separated tanks of Organic Phase Change Materials (OPCM&#39;s)  34  and  42  to generate electrical energy sufficient to power, or to supplement the power of, the vehicles&#39; electric motor. To regenerate those thermal energy tanks, whether or not the vehicle is being operated, the following regeneration embodiment may be employed. First the electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric generator&#39;s regeneration thermoelectric generator(s)  4  and  5  attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the outside of the two thermally separated tanks of OPCM&#39;s  34  and  42  on one side and to heat pipe plates  153  attached to the mass of the vehicles&#39; chassis  154 , absorbing or rejecting thermal energy from the other side as well as the electrical energy from the harvesting methods disclosed herein; harvest from outside skin  155 , harvest from braking  156 , harvest from waste comfort heat  157 , harvest from waste comfort chilling  158 , and harvest from braking impulse energy  159  are connected electrically to pass electrical current yielded, without polarity bias, into capacitor arrays  21 . The capacitor arrays  21  may be designed to use the stored harvested electrical energy described herein to run either a heater  5  or a cooler  7  in order to keep the two thermally separated tanks of OPCM&#39;s  2  and  3 , one with a designed high phase change temperature and one with a designed low phase change temperature, at their desired temperatures as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
       FIG. 44  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric regenerating system thermal energy harvester, for use in land vehicles during sunlight and in warm to hot temperatures. Now referring to  FIG. 44 , a thermoelectric generator as described in  FIG. 27  used to power a vehicle may utilize the atmospheric conditions of the vehicle&#39;s location to harvest thermal energy to power a thermoelectric regenerating system previously described in  FIG. 43 . Heat from the sun  148  and the sun&#39;s radiation  97  create a high side ambient temperature  9  that transfers heat energy to the thermally conductive skin  149  of a thermoelectric harvesting configuration as described in  FIG. 42 . The vehicles&#39; chassis  154  rejects heat energy into the low side ambient temperature away from the thermally conductive skin  149 , as shown in  FIG. 42 , shown by filled arrows as the heat rejection direction  160 . 
       FIG. 45  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric regenerating system thermal energy harvester, for use in land vehicles during days without sunlight, night and in cold to freezing temperatures. Now referring to  FIG. 45 , a thermoelectric generator as described in  FIG. 27  used to power a vehicle may utilize the atmospheric conditions of the vehicle&#39;s location to harvest thermal energy to power a thermoelectric regenerating system previously described in  FIG. 43 . Heat from the vehicles interior escapes into ambient temperature  9  as it passes through the thermally conductive foam  150  the thermoelectric generators  1  and the thermally conductive skin  149  of a thermoelectric harvesting configuration as described in  FIG. 42 . The vehicles&#39; chassis  154  draws heat energy from the road into the thermally conductive foam  150 , as shown in  FIG. 42 , shown by filled arrows as the heat rejection direction  160 . 
       FIG. 46  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system for use in marine vessels. Referring to  FIG. 46 , to be used to recharge, marine vessels may have at least two thermoelectric regeneration systems to maintain storage of a defined thermal capacity. The first thermoelectric regeneration system comprised of thermoelectric modules  68  that have one side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive skin  149  and the other side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that would act as a thermal absorber/rejecter, rejecting heat from the vessel interior ambient temperature  162  into the body of water  123  in which the vessel is floating. The electrical energy produced by the thermoelectric modules  68  due to this thermal difference may be stored, without polarity bias, in capacitor arrays  21  to power heaters  5  and/or chillers  7  to regenerate, when needed, the high temperature thermal storage  58  and the low temperature thermal storage  66  of the thermoelectric generator core  87  of the thermoelectric generator described in  FIG. 27 , in order to have a thermal difference for thermoelectric energy generation for use in powering the vessel. This thermally conductive skin  149  is designed to begin below the vessel&#39;s waterline  123 . The second thermoelectric regeneration system comprised of thermoelectric modules  68  that have one side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive skin  149  and the other side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a thermally conductive foam  150  such as aluminum foam or carbon foam that would act as a thermal absorber/rejecter, rejecting heat from the vessel interior ambient temperature  162  into the outside vessel ambient temperature  163 . The electrical energy produced by the thermoelectric modules  68  due to this thermal difference, without polarity bias, may be stored in capacitor arrays  21  to power heaters  5  and/or chillers  7  to regenerate, when needed, the high temperature thermal storage  58  and the low temperature thermal storage  66  of the thermoelectric generator core  87  of the thermoelectric generator described in  FIG. 27 , in order to have a thermal difference for thermoelectric energy generation for use in powering the vessel. Additionally, photovoltaic panels  117  may be added to the system to power heaters  5  and/or chillers  7  to regenerate, when needed, the high temperature thermal storage  58  and the low temperature thermal storage  66  of the thermoelectric generator core  87  of the thermoelectric generator described in  FIG. 27 , in order to have a thermal difference for thermoelectric energy generation for use in powering the vessel if the vessel is in water and atmospheric temperatures with little or no thermal difference. 
       FIG. 47  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generating system for use for the production of hydrogen gas from water by means of electrolysis. Referring to  FIG. 47 , electrical energy from the thermoelectric generator  1  as described in  FIG. 27  is sent to the electrolysis terminals  165 . The positive lead connected to the anode  166  and the negative lead to the cathode  167  that are submerged in a water solution  168  that is best for the process of electrolysis. The water solution  168 , contained in a water storage tank  102  that may have a refill apparatus such as a float valve  169 , water inlet  170 , and air or compound inlet  171 , is fed to the electrolysis chambers  172  by way of a common inlet  173 . When an electrical charge is applied the water molecules are split into hydrogen  174  and oxygen  175  gas that is captured in gas tanks  176 . The extracted gas may then be directed through a regulator  177 , into a mixing chamber  178  where it mixes into the desired burn fuel  179 . The burn fuel  179  is piped through an oven or fireplace valve  180  of the oven or fireplace burner  181 , and may be ignited, using a glow plug  182  switched on by an oven or fireplace control switch  183  or other conventional methods. 
       FIG. 48  is a schematic section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric solid-state chiller system for the purposes of cooling nitrogen gas into a liquid from average ambient temperatures. In certain aspects, this may be done silently or with reduced noise and/or vibration. Referring to  FIG. 48 , to be used with reduced or little noise and/or with little or reduced vibration chill a chamber of nitrogen from a gas to a liquid state comprised of a thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of twenty eight degrees Celsius, having its “hot” side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a heat sink  124  and the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  cold side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a first thermal chamber  185  that has four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the first thermal chamber  185  to be filled with an organic phase change material  187  that becomes frozen at four degrees Celsius, and the sixth side being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The first thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the “hot” side of a separate thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of forty one degrees Celsius and the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  “cold” side is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a second thermal chamber  185  having four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the second thermal chamber  185  to be filled with an organic phase change material  187  that becomes frozen at minus thirty seven degrees Celsius and the sixth side being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The second thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the “hot” side of a separate thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of seventy degrees Celsius and the thermoelectric generators  1  cold side is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a third thermal chamber  185  that has four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the third thermal chamber  185  to be filled with xenon gas  188  that becomes liquid at minus one hundred and seven degrees Celsius and the sixth side being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The third thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the “hot” side of a separate thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of forty five degrees Celsius and the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  “cold” side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a fourth thermal chamber  185  that has four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the forth thermal chamber  185  to be filled with krypton gas  189  that becomes liquid at minus one hundred and fifty two degrees Celsius and the sixth side of the fourth thermal chamber  185  being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The fourth thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the “hot” side of a separate thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of thirty three degrees Celsius and the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  “cold” side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a fifth thermal chamber  185  that has four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the fifth thermal chamber  185  to be filled with argon gas  190  that becomes liquid at minus one hundred and eighty five degrees Celsius and the sixth side being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The fifth thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, the “hot” side of a separate thermoelectric generator  1  capable of rejecting a heat differential of a minimum of ten degrees Celsius and the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  “cold” side attached to, and/or in thermal communication with, a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  of a thermal sixth chamber  185  that has four other sides insulated, one of those sides having a filler cap  186  allowing the sixth thermal chamber  185  to be filled with nitrogen gas  191  that becomes liquid at minus one hundred and ninety five degrees Celsius and the sixth side being a sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184 . The sixth thermal chamber&#39;s  185  sixth side sealed (or substantially sealed) thermally conductive membrane  184  is attached to a Chill Plate  192  that may be attached to desired object that requires chilling. 
       FIG. 49  is a schematic section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator with isolated, sufficiently isolated, and/or substantially isolated high and low temperature storage. Referring to  FIG. 49 , it is desirable for the efficiency of the thermoelectric system to maintain the high temperature storage  2  and the low temperature storage  3  with minimal leakage while allowing the thermal energy from the high temperature storage  2  to move in a heat flow direction  193  into a high temperature heat pipe  56  where it travels towards the cooler thermoelectric generator module  68 , it than passes through the thermoelectric generator module  68 , generating electrical energy, and is drawn to the cooler temperature of the low temperature heat pipe  63  on the thermoelectric generator&#39;s opposite side where it is drawn away towards the mass in the low temperature storage  3 . 
       FIG. 50  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an electromagnetic and thermal energy harvesting power supply for use in mobile phones and/or handheld devices.  FIG. 51  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section A of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50  for use in mobile phones, computing tablets, and/or handheld devices.  FIG. 52  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section B of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50  for use in mobile phones, computing tablets, and/or handheld devices.  FIG. 53  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of cross-section C of the exemplary power supply of  FIG. 50  for use in mobile phones and/or handheld devices. Referring to  FIG. 50 , a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an electromagnetic and thermal energy harvesting power supply for use in a device of choice (e.g., mobile phone, computing tablets, and/or handheld devices) is shown. In exemplary embodiments, the power supply may be used to power a device so long as the input power requirement of the device matches (or substantially matches) the output power of the described power supply. In certain embodiments, the thermal energy power supply may be combined with a battery to supplement the power provided by the battery and/or to recharge the battery. In exemplary embodiments, ambient electromagnetic radiation may be harvested using a series of enameled (or otherwise insulated) wire coil around an electrically conductive shaft (e.g., cylindrical ferrite cores  205 ) of differing sizes and wraps to match (or substantially match) multiple frequencies in order to harvest energy at multiple wavelengths and frequencies, where it is then converted to direct current using blocking diodes in a rectifying circuit  206  and used to fill ultra capacitor arrays  202  designed for an output power matching the input of thermoelectric chillers  33  and Nichrome coil heat elements  204 . In exemplary embodiments, the coil may be implemented without a conductive shaft. The electromagnetic harvesting may be constant, if desired, regardless of whether the device of choice is being operated. Additionally, piezoelectric material  207  may be added to the outer housing  197  and the electric energy stored may be stored in the ultra capacitor arrays  202  designed for an output power matching the input of thermoelectric chillers  33  and Nichrome coil heat elements  204 . The Nichrome coil heat elements  204  are in contact, and/or in thermal communication with, the thermoelectric generator substrate (“hot side”)  194  of thermoelectric generators  1 . The thermoelectric chillers  33  are in contact, and/or in thermal communication, with low temperature phase change material  72  as shown in  FIG. 51 , which is a vertical cross-section schematic diagram of  FIG. 50 . As well as  FIGS. 52 and 53 , which are horizontal cross-section schematic diagrams of  FIG. 50 , keeping the thermoelectric device at a calculated constant (or substantially constant) temperature. Referring to  FIGS. 51 ,  52  and  53 , the thermoelectric generator substrate (“cold side”)  195  of the thermoelectric generators  1  is in contact, and/or in thermal communication, with the low temperature phase change material  72 . The thermoelectric generator substrate (“hot side”)  194  of thermoelectric generators  1  are in contact, and/or in thermal communication, with the Nichrome coil heat elements  204  which cause a thermal difference between both sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  which converts the thermal energy into a calculable electrical energy that is capable of powering the device of choice. During times when the electrical device is in operation, the waste heat from one or more components may be routed to the thermoelectric generator substrate (“hot side”)  194  of thermoelectric generators  1  to provide passive cooling to those components and harvest the thermal energy. During times when the electrical device is not in operation, ambient temperature and the low temperature phase change material  72  cause a calculable thermal difference between both sides of the thermoelectric generators  1  which converts the thermal energy into a calculable electrical energy that is capable of powering the thermoelectric chillers  33  for the chilling of low temperature phase change material  33 . The low temperature phase change material  33  is in contact with the thermoelectric generator&#39;s  1  and thermoelectric chiller&#39;s  33  low thermoelectric generator substrate (“cold side”)  195 . The other areas of the low temperature phase change material  72  are typically insulated with e.g., low temperature phase change pellet insulation  200 , separated with polypropylene case walls  201 . The entire power supply may be then sealed in an outer housing  197  of choice, (e.g., fiberglass, plastic and/or metal). 
       FIG. 54  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric harvesting device and generator that may be utilized in industrial facilities, that currently may use tremendous amounts of energy cooling and/or heating with little or no method of recycling and/or storing the wasted thermal energies, to capture the thermal energy, convert it to electrical energy for other uses; (e.g. for cooling in the factory). Referring to  FIG. 54 , heat energy from an industrial furnace  209  produced by burn fuel  179  for industrial purposes may be transferred as shown in a heat flow direction  193  via high temperature heat pipes  56  into high temperature thermal storage. The working side of the furnace may be layered with high temperature phase change insulation  214  to help prevent or reduce heat from radiating into the work-space. The heat energy continues through additional high temperature heat pipes  56  onto the hot sides of a thermoelectric generator core  87  where it passes through the thermoelectric modules in the thermoelectric generator core  87  generating electrical energy and as it passes into low temperature heat pipes being drawn away towards the mass in the low temperature thermal storage  66  of low temperature phase change material  72  stored inside a cooling stack  213  that may include a turbine ventilating cap  208  and a cooling well  212  that may be integrated into the facilities&#39; foundation  211 . The generated electrical energy may be transferred to an ultra capacitor array so as to smooth out the electrical output so it may be used when desired. 
       FIG. 55  is an isometric section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heater and cooler for use in urban vertical farming. Referring to  FIG. 55 , an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heater and/or cooler for use in a sealed solid-state urban vertical farm biosphere that is substantially isolated from the typical pests and environmental concerns of traditional farming. The grow chambers  219  may be housed for protection in a shipping container  230  and wrapped on the sides, or a portion of the sides, with phase change insulation  214  to insure there is no, or reduced, thermal transfer from the outside environment into the farm biosphere. Because of the three dimensional nature of the unit, a single forty foot shipping container may grow in excess of three acres of soybeans or strawberries with a possible fifteen growth cycles per year. In certain embodiments, a single forty foot shipping container may grow in excess of between 1 to 2, 2.5 to 4, 2.75 to 3.25, 3 to 5 acres of crops at least 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, or greater growth cycles per year. The system utilizes an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator/heater/chiller  215 , similar to the portable system described in  FIGS. 38 and 39 , without the Dyson air multiplier or the photovoltaic skirt. Instead of the Dyson air multiplier as described in  FIGS. 38 and 39 , to draw air through the hot or cold chambers for heating or cooling, a nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas tank pushes its compressed gas through the hot or cold chamber of the unit when the temperature needs adjusting, based upon sensors set for the specific species of the plant(s) being grown. Additionally, the farm biosphere uses aeroponic methods to deliver water and nutrients to the roots of the plants that are stored in a nutrient enriched water tank  218  and delivered through misting pipes  223  by compressed oxygen stored in an oxygen tank  217 . The electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric generator/heater/chiller  215  is used to run the sensors, timers, solenoids and the highly efficient LED grow lights during the growth cycle. The thermoelectric generator/heater/chiller&#39;s  215  “hot” side and “cold” side may be regenerated by the thermal difference between the interior of the biosphere and outside ambient temperature and/or by use of other renewable energy sources that may be available at the location. 
       FIG. 56  is an isometric section of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator, heater and/or cooler powered urban vertical farming grow cell. Referring to  FIG. 56 , the view shows five grow chambers  219 , stacked by use of rack standards  227 , in a grow cell that is substantially isolated from pests and/or thermal transfer by phase change insulation  214  and isolation flooring  229  that may be made of recycled plastic or other thermally non-conductive material, and also sealed with inward-facing mirrored film that was left out of the isometric section for clarity purposes. Each grow chamber has the following amenities; electrical conduit  220  to bring power to LED grow lights  221  that are designed to put out a light spectrum to similar to or substantially matching the natural lighting of the environment of the species that is being grown of where that species became a successful species; a reflective hood  222 , to ensure that light from the LED grow lights  221  is directed on the plants; a misting pipe  223 , with misting nozzles capable of delivering the nutrient enriched water, to the root chamber  224 , in a mist, for example, of under five microns in size using less water than of a typical farm (for example, in certain applications 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, or 98% less water than a typical outdoor farm); a drainage valley to collect the water that was not absorbed by the roots to be recycled; an atmospheric feed line  228  to deliver the heated or chilled gas from the nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas tank  216 ; and stabilizing fabric  225  that is stretched across the top of the root chamber  224  to hold the plants in place and to isolate the roots from the leafy portion of the plant. Using these methods an urban vertical farm may benefit from year-round crop production, in different climate zones, growing most varieties of crops at a cost reduction (for example, in certain applications a cost reduction of up to 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, or 40%), while being more immune to weather related or other types of crop failures, due to droughts, floods, freezing and/or pests. This method may also enjoy the benefit of organic farming using no herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers and may greatly reduce the incidence of many infectious diseases or cross-contamination acquired at the agricultural interface. 
       FIG. 57  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric device that may be utilized in certain thermoelectric energy generation systems. In this exemplary embodiment, a more efficient thermoelectric device may be used instead of a generic off-the-shelf device.  FIG. 57  is similar to  FIGS. 14-20  except that the evacuated chambers or voids  31  are filled with a thermally non-conductive material  49  instead of the working fluid  23  that is described in the aforementioned figures and also as described herein. Additionally, the areas around each post may also be filled with thermally non-conductive material  49 . For example, the material may be a foam polymer, polystyrene, silica aerogel and/or argon gas. When the vacuum seal foils  22  are vacuum-sealed, or substantially vacuum-sealed, onto the two outermost thermally conductive thermoplastic elastomer electrical insulating skins  24  that may have cutouts to substantially match chambers or voids  31  is attached, using thermally conductive but electrically insulating epoxy, electrical conductor layer  25  and electrical input/output (I/O) layer  28  which may be slightly smaller than the voided areas  31  that have wicking grooves  32 , which are now sufficiently filled, or substantially filled, with a thermally non-conductive material  49  and are now adding more surface area, in semiconductor posts  26 ,  27  that are attached to, using thermal and electrically conductive epoxy, the electrical conductor layers  25  and electrical input/output layers  28 . By way of effectively blocking heat, or reducing heat, through the center and around the outside of the semiconductor posts various benefits may be realized. For example, in certain embodiments, less mass in the posts leads to less thermal resistivity which adds efficiency; holes in the posts add surface area allowing more electrons to flow; and/or forcing the heat to mainly pass only through the semiconductor material may have an increase in voltage. For example, if a hole is placed in each post reducing its thermal resistance by 30%, expanding the surface area to allow more electron flow of 40% and forcing most of the thermal energy through the semiconductor material increasing voltage by 5%, doing so may increase efficiency of the thermoelectric module up to, for example, 91%. In certain embodiments, the efficiency of the thermoelectric module may be at least 60%, 75%, 85%, 90%, or 91%. In certain embodiments, the efficiency of the thermoelectric module may be between 50% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 70% to 85%, 75% to 90%, 88% to 94% or 85% to 91%. 
       FIG. 58  is a schematic diagram of an apparatus built to test the thermoelectric energy generation using water and chemical based phase change materials. Two eight ounce containers, one filled with a high temperature phase change material  34  (boiling water at 100° C.) and the other filled with a low temperature phase change material  42  (liquid alcohol at −15° C.) were wrapped with a two inch thick insulating barrier  8  of foam insulation after a high temperature heat plate  85  was partially inserted in the high temperature phase change material  34  and a low temperature heat plate  86  was partially inserted in the low temperature phase change material  42 . The heat plates  85  and  86  were formed in a way that they were capable of sandwiching a thermoelectric generator  1  that was electrically connected to power a fan  16 . The fan was capable of running at a low power level of 0.5 Watts. The test commenced with the thermoelectric generator  1  receiving a thermal difference of 115° C. and when turned on ran continuously, but slowing down as the temperature between the two phase change materials  34  and  42  stabilized, finally stopping after a total duration of twenty three minutes.  FIG. 59  is a schematic diagram of the same apparatus built for  FIG. 58 . However, it was modified to test the thermoelectric energy generation using organic phase change materials. Two eight ounce containers, one filled with a high temperature phase change material  34  (OPCM 55° C.) and the other filled with a low temperature phase change material  42  (OPCM −15° C.) were wrapped with a two inch thick insulating barrier  8  of foam insulation after a high temperature heat plate  85  was partially inserted in the high temperature phase change material  34  and a low temperature heat plate  86  was partially inserted in the low temperature phase change material  42 . The heat plates  85  and  86  were formed in a way that they were capable of sandwiching a thermoelectric generator  1  that was electrically connected to power a fan  16 . The fan was capable of running at a low power level of 0.5 Watts. Additional burdens were added to this test, the first was the addition of two additional thermoelectric generators  1  attached the outside of the heat plates  85  and  86  electrically connected in series and hooked up to a multimeter to test voltage output. Large aluminum heat sinks  124  were connected to the outside of each thermoelectric generator  1  to draw or reject heat energy through these additional thermoelectric generators  1 . Finally, a high temperature heat pipe  56  was added to the heat sink  124  on the high temperature side and a low temperature heat pipe  63  was added to the heat sink  124  on the low temperature side. This was done to increase the rate at which the two containers would equalize in temperature due to some preliminary testing that showed the organic phase change materials resistance to thermal change as being strong. The test commenced with the thermoelectric generator  1  receiving a thermal difference of 70° C. and when turned on ran continuously, but slowing down as the temperature between the two phase change materials  34  and  42  stabilized, finally stopping after a total duration of five hours and forty five minutes. Additionally, the two added thermoelectric generators  1 , connected in series and connected to the multimeter, had an output voltage of over two volts that decreased slowly over the course of the five hours and forty-five minutes. Test conclusion: With the lower thermal difference (45° C. less), the added load of two additional thermoelectric generators and an increase in equalization efficiency by the added heat sinks and heat pipes, the organic phase change material outperformed the water and chemical based phase change material by about fifteen fold. The amount of energy spent to bring each phase change material to their start of test temperature was carefully watched to be equal, which is the reason for the high temperature organic phase change material beginning the test at the temperature of 55° C. instead of beginning the test at the temperature of 100° C. as the water did. 
     In exemplary embodiments, another application for the technology may be to inject Nano-radios and transmitters made from single and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes filled with phase change material of a slightly lower temperature than the human body, a Nano-scale thermoelectric device set in between the phase change material and the body so as to generate very small but needed electrical energy for medical applications (e.g., medicine delivery at cell level, growth disruptors for cancer cells, embedded micro-system analyzers and transmitters). 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device may be used in mobile devices (cell phones, computers, displays, etc.) to harvest heat as well as ambient temperature and may also harvest ambient electromagnetic radiation and vibrations to store as opposing thermal energies using phase change materials and then converting through the thermoelectric methods described it the embodiments. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device may also be used in mobile devices (cell phones, computers, displays, etc.) using the harvested heat as well as ambient temperature and may also harvest ambient electromagnetic radiation and vibrations to store as opposing thermal energies using phase change materials and then converting through the thermoelectric methods to chill the electronics for longer life and better efficiencies as described in exemplary embodiments. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device could be used in electric toys to power them and using the harvested heat as well as ambient temperature and may also harvest ambient electromagnetic radiation and vibrations to store as opposing thermal energies using phase change materials and then converting through the thermoelectric methods described it exemplary embodiments. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device may be used to power hand tools (e.g., drills, routers, saws, or other typical battery or mains operated devices). The harvested heat as well as ambient temperature also may harvest ambient electromagnetic radiation and vibrations to store as opposing thermal energies using phase change materials and then converting through the thermoelectric methods described in the embodiments and/or to chill the electronics for longer life and better efficiencies as described in the embodiments. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device could be used for emergency, security and surveillance systems that may benefit from not having to be hard wired or need batteries. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device could be used for health care applications such as pacemakers, hearing aids, insulin injection apparatuses as well as monitoring and ambulatory equipment that may benefit from having a constant source of electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device could be used for appliances (refrigeration, heating, cleaning) to power the device and provide the necessary temperatures needed to complete the task the appliance was designed for and achieved by the methods explained in the exemplary embodiments. 
     In exemplary embodiments, vehicles (e.g., automobiles, aircraft, ships, boats, trains, satellites, deployment vehicles, motorcycles and other powered methods of transportation), could use the methods/devices to power the vehicle and/or its ancillary systems for long to unlimited range without the need to stop for refueling. It may be of even further benefit to the transportation industry to use the body or skin as the thermoelectric transfer point since vehicles such as ships and aircraft typically travel through colder atmospheres. 
     In buildings whether residential, commercial or industrial this conversion method and device would allow for immediate off-grid use and also provide the heating and cooling of the occupants and water needs by the harvest of wasted energies, conversion to thermal energy and stored as thermal energy and then used on demand when converted into electrical energy. 
     In exemplary embodiments, technology and/or computing centers are typically high-energy users, using the methods in the embodiments would allow for immediate off-grid use and also provide the cooling of the center&#39;s equipment. 
     In exemplary embodiments, lighting could be wireless if a small generator, using the harvesting, storage and conversion methods in the embodiments, was attached to individual or circuits of fixtures. 
     In exemplary embodiments, urban farming may be realized using this conversion method and would allow for immediate off-grid use and also provide the heating and cooling of the agriculture air-conditioning and water needs by the harvest of wasted energies, conversion to thermal energy and stored as thermal energy and then used on-demand when converted into electrical energy. 
     Water can be easily harvested in dry climates when there is a low cost, clean energy solution that allows high volume intake of air and compresses it into condensation chambers to extract the moisture. While the extraction method is capable of being done now, today&#39;s energy costs are too high to make it viable. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the device may be utilized, in industrial facilities that currently use tremendous amounts of energy cooling and heating with no method of recycling the wasted thermal energies, to store that energy and move it electrically in the factory. 
     In exemplary embodiments, oceanic landmass building can be achieved by running current through wire frames, lowered into the ocean, attracting the skeletal remains of sea creatures. The remains attach and accumulate around the wire frame forming limestone. While this method can be currently achieved, today&#39;s energy costs are too high to make it viable. 
     In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the following reference numerals have the identified label/structure/operation: 
     1. Thermoelectric generator 
     2. High temperature storage 
     3. Low temperature storage 
     4. High temperature regenerator 
     5. Heater 
     6. Low temperature regenerator 
     7. Chiller 
     8. Insulating barrier 
     9. High side ambient temperature 
     10. Heat exchanger 
     11. Low temperature inlet 
     12. High temperature inlet 
     13. High temperature outlet 
     14. Low temperature outlet 
     15. Plenum or tank 
     16. Pump or fan 
     17. Low side ambient temperature 
     18. High temperature return 
     19. Low temperature return 
     20. Direct current 
     21. Capacitor array 
     22. Vacuum seal foils 
     23. Working fluid 
     24. Thermally conductive thermoplastic elastomer insulating skins 
     25. Electrical conductor layer 
     26. Semiconductor posts (negative) 
     27. Semiconductor posts (positive) 
     28. Electrical input/output layers 
     29. Positive electrical conductor I/O tab 
     30. Negative electrical conductor I/O tab 
     31. Voided areas 
     32. Wicking grooves 
     33. Insulating casket 
     34. High temperature phase change material 
     35. High temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing 
     36. Heat pipe working fluid 
     37. Sintered layer 
     38. High temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing 
     39. Thermoelectric generator stack 
     40. Low temperature output thermally conductive heat pipe casing 
     41. Low temperature input thermally conductive heat pipe casing 
     42. Low temperature phase change material 
     43. Thermoelectric heater module stacks 
     44. Positive polarity input electrical flow from harvest sources 
     45. Thermoelectric chiller module stacks 
     46. Negative polarity input electrical flow from harvest source 
     47. Positive polarity output electrical flow from harvest source 
     48. Heat source 
     49. Thermally non-conductive material 
     50. Cold temperature source 
     51. Photovoltaic direct current electric energy 
     52. Piezoelectric direct current electrical energy 
     53. Electromagnetic electrical energy 
     54. Thermoelectric heater 
     55. Working fluid vapor 
     56. High temperature heat pipe 
     57. Flow path 
     58. High temperature thermal storage 
     59. Condensed working fluid return 
     60. High temperature transfer 
     61. Thermoelectric chiller 
     62. Chilled working fluid 
     63. Low temperature heat pipe 
     64. Outer heat pipe walls 
     65. Warmed working fluid 
     66. Low temperature thermal storage 
     67. Low temperature transfer 
     68. Thermoelectric generator modules 
     69. Direct current output 
     70. Reinforced concrete outer wall 
     71. Interior liner 
     72. Low temperature phase change material 
     73. Heat pipes with low temperature working fluid 
     74. Low temperature thermoelectric generator module stacks 
     75. Outer seal plug 
     76. Helium (He) Gas 
     77. Liquid to vapor thermoelectric ring 
     78. High temperature thermoelectric ring 
     79. Alternating posts of SiC:Se and SiC:Sb 
     80. High temperature working fluid 
     81. Titanium seal plug 
     82. Primary SiC absorption wall 
     83. Carbon Dioxide working fluid 
     84. Spent nuclear fuel rods 
     85. High temperature heat plates 
     86. Low temperature heat plates 
     87. Thermoelectric generator core 
     88. Coil heater 
     89. Thermally conductive strap 
     90. Thermoelectric chiller modules 
     91. Conductive connection mount 
     92. Thermally insulated outer casing 
     93. Voltage/current pin-out board 
     94. Parabolic trough 
     95. Reflective surface 
     96. Glass panel 
     97. Sun&#39;s radiation 
     98. Oil filled pipe 
     99. Convection loop 
     100. Reservoir of organic phase change material 
     101. Cold waterline 
     102. Water storage tank 
     103. Heat loop inlet 
     104. Water pump 
     105. Waterline loop 
     106. Heat loop outlet 
     107. Hot water supply line 
     108. Insulated transfer pipes 
     109. Secondary reservoir of organic phase change material 
     110. Thermostat or control switch 
     111. Blower 
     112. Air 
     113. Filtered return air grill 
     114. Heat ducts 
     115. Insulated plenum 
     116. Conditioned area 
     117. Photovoltaic panels 
     118. Tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material 
     119. Chilling ducts 
     120. Electrical wiring 
     121. DC electrical sub-panel 
     122. Thermoelectric heater 
     123. Water 
     124. Heat sink 
     125. Blower chamber 
     126. Damper chamber 
     127. Control box 
     128. Support base 
     129. Reservoir stabilizing harness 
     130. Damper 
     131. Damper switching axle 
     132. Secondary reservoir of organic phase change material knockout 
     133. Tertiary reservoir of organic phase change material knockout 
     134. Dyson air-multiplier 
     135. Removable chill reservoir 
     136. Removable heat reservoir 
     137. Photovoltaic skirt 
     138. Wiring chases 
     139. Base 
     140. Base plug 
     141. Insulated Door 
     142. Door handle 
     143. Adjustable foot 
     144. Door panel frame 
     145. Refrigerator chamber 
     146. Freezer chamber 
     147. Shelve and bin rack 
     148. Sun 
     149. Thermally conductive skin 
     150. Thermally conductive foam 
     151. Breaking disc 
     152. Duct walls and vent plates 
     153. Heat pipe plates 
     154. Chassis 
     155. Harvest from outside skin 
     156. Harvest from breaking 
     157. Harvest from waste comfort heat 
     158. Harvest from waste comfort chilling 
     159. Harvest from breaking impulse energy 
     160. Heat rejection direction 
     161. Clouds or other shading device 
     162. Vessel interior ambient temperature 
     163. Outside vessel ambient temperature 
     164. Thermoelectric generating shell 
     165. Electrolysis terminals 
     166. Anode 
     167. Cathode 
     168. Water solution 
     169. Float valve 
     170. Water inlet 
     171. Air or compound inlet 
     172. Electrolysis Chamber 
     173. Common inlet 
     174. Hydrogen 
     175. Oxygen 
     176. Gas tank 
     177. Regulator 
     178. Mixing chamber 
     179. Burn fuel 
     180. Oven or fireplace valve 
     181. Oven or fireplace burner 
     182. Glow plug 
     183. Control switch 
     184. Thermally conductive membrane 
     185. Thermal Chamber 
     186. Filler cap 
     187. Organic phase change material 
     188. Xeon gas 
     189. Krypton gas 
     190. Argon gas 
     191. Nitrogen gas 
     192. Chill plate 
     193. Heat flow direction 
     194. Thermoelectric generator substrate (hot side) 
     195. Thermoelectric generator substrate (cold side) 
     196. Thermally conductive vertical path channels 
     197. Outer housing 
     198. DC positive lead 
     199. DC negative lead 
     200. Low temperature phase change pellet insulation 
     201. Polypropylene case walls 
     202. Ultra capacitor array 
     203. Bimetallic strip switch 
     204. Nichrome coil heat element 
     205. Enameled wire coil around cylindrical ferrite core 
     206. Rectifying circuit 
     207. Piezoelectric material 
     208. Turbine ventilator cap 
     209. Furnace 
     210. Chimney stack 
     211. Foundation 
     212. Cooling well 
     213. Cooling stack 
     214. Phase change insulation 
     215. Thermoelectric generator/heater/chiller 
     216. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas tank 
     217. Oxygen tank 
     218. Nutrient enriched water tank 
     219. Grow chamber 
     220. Electrical conduit 
     221. LED grow lights 
     222. Reflective hood 
     223. Misting pipe 
     224. Root chamber 
     225. Stabilizing fabric 
     226. Drainage valley 
     227. Rack standard 
     228. Atmospheric feed line 
     229. Isolation flooring 
     230. Shipping container 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1A 
     A system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy, the system comprising: a thermoelectric generator; a higher temperature storage in thermal contact with a first side of the thermoelectric generator; a lower temperature storage in thermal contact with a second side of the thermoelectric generator; a higher temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the high temperature storage at a higher temperature; a lower temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the low temperature storage at a low temperature; and wherein, the difference in the temperatures of the higher temperature storage and the lower temperature storage creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the thermoelectric generator, which creates the electrical energy. 
     2A. The system of example 1A wherein the higher temperature storage and lower temperature storage are phase change materials. 
     3A. The system of any of the preceding examples wherein the electrical energy is DC current. 
     4A. The system of any preceding examples wherein the thermally stored energy is used to heat or cool another application e.g., water heating, air conditioning. 
     5A. The system of any of the preceding examples wherein the higher temperature regenerator comprises: 
     a thermoelectric generator that uses the higher temperature storage on one side and an ambient temperature on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator; wherein, the thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator generates electrical energy. 
     6A. The system of example 5A wherein the electrical energy of the higher temperature regenerator is used to power a heater to keep the high temperature storage at a high temperature. 
     7A. The system of any of the preceding examples wherein the lower temperature regenerator comprises: a thermoelectric generator that uses the lower temperature storage on one side and an ambient temperature on the other side to create a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator; wherein, the thermal difference across the thermoelectric generator generates electrical energy. 
     8A. The system of example 6A wherein the electrical energy of the lower temperature regenerator is used to power a chiller to keep the lower temperature storage at a low temperature. 
     Example 1B 
     A system comprising: at least one thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; at least one first temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature range; at least one second temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the second temperature storage material at a second temperature range; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the difference in the temperature of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two portions of the at least one thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; and wherein a portion of the electrical output is used to power at least in part the at least one first temperature regenerator, the at least one second temperature regenerator, or both. 
     2B. The system of example 1 wherein the first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a first side of the generator. 
     3B. The systems of examples 1B or 2B wherein the second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a second side of the generator. 
     4B. The systems of examples 1B, 2B or 3B wherein the system is a thermoelectric module that may be vertically stacked. 
     5B The system of example 5B wherein the stack comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, or 100 of the thermoelectric modules. 
     6B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system is able to operate in a self sustaining manner between 30% to 50%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 80% to 100% of the desired operating period. 
     7B The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system provides sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. 
     8B The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system that provides sufficient electricity, heating and/or cooling between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. 
     9B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     10B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the first side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     11B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the second side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     12B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are partially or substantially thermally insulated from each other and/or the at least one thermoelectric generator and are still in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     13B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the thermally stored energy is used to heat or cool another application, (e.g., water heating, water cooling, comfort heating, comfort cooling, air conditioning or combinations thereof). 
     14B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from one or more of the following: air, ambient air, gas, solids such a cement, water, water based salt hydrates, various forms of paraffins, fatty acids and esters, trimethylolethane, organic thermal salts, inorganic thermal salts, ionic liquids, thermal composites, vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     15B. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     Example 1C 
     A system comprising: at least one thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; at least one temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature range or for maintaining at least in part the second temperature storage material at a second temperature range; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the difference in the temperature of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two portions of the at least one thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; and wherein a portion of the electrical output is used to power at least in part the at least one temperature regenerator. 
     2C. The system of example 1C wherein the first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a first side of the generator. 
     3C. The systems of examples 1C or 2C wherein the second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a side of the generator. 
     4C. The systems of examples 1C, 2C, or 3C wherein the system is a thermoelectric module that may be vertically stacked. 
     5C. The system of example 4C wherein the stack comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, or 100 of the thermoelectric modules. 
     6C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system is able to operate in a self-sustaining manner between 30% to 50%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 80% to 100% of the desired operating period. 
     7C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system provides sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. 
     8C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the system that provides sufficient electricity, heating and/or cooling between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the system is in operation. 
     9C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     10C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the first side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     11C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the second side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     12C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are partially or substantially thermally insulated from each other and/or the at least one thermoelectric generator and are still in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     13C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the thermally stored energy is used to heat or cool another application, (e.g., water heating, water cooling, comfort heating, comfort cooling, air conditioning or combinations thereof). 
     14C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from one or more of the following: air, ambient air, gas, solids such a cement, water, water based salt hydrates, various forms of paraffins, fatty acids and esters, trimethylolethane, organic thermal salts, inorganic thermal salts, ionic liquids, thermal composites, vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     15C. The systems of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     Example 1D 
     A system comprising: a) at least a first thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least first thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least first thermoelectric generator; b) at least a second thermoelectric generator; the first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least second thermoelectric generator; and a third temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least second thermoelectric generator; c) at least a third thermoelectric generator; a fourth temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least third thermoelectric generator; a third temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least third thermoelectric generator; at least one first temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature range; and at least one second temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the second temperature storage material at a second temperature range; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least one thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; wherein the first temperature is higher than the third temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the first temperature storage material and the third temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least second thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; wherein the fourth temperature is higher than the third temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the fourth temperature storage material and the third temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least third thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; and wherein a portion of the electrical output from the at least first, second and/or third thermoelectric generators is used to power at least in part the at least one first temperature regenerator, the at least one second temperature regenerator, or both. 
     Example 2D 
     A system comprising: a) at least a first thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least first thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least first thermoelectric generator; b) at least a second thermoelectric generator; the first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least second thermoelectric generator; and a third temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least second thermoelectric generator; c) at least a third thermoelectric generator; a fourth temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first side of the at least third thermoelectric generator; and a third temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second side of the at least third thermoelectric generator; at least one temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature range or for maintaining at least in part the third temperature storage material at a third temperature range; wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least one thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; wherein the first temperature is higher than the third temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the first temperature storage material and the third temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least second thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; wherein the fourth temperature is higher than the third temperature and the difference in the temperatures of the fourth temperature storage material and the third temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two sides of the at least third thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; and wherein a portion of the electrical output from the at least first, second and/or third thermoelectric generators is used to power at least in part the at least one temperature regenerator. 
     Example 1E 
     method that uses one or more of the systems of the proceeding A, B, C, or D examples. 
     2E. A method for generating electricity that uses one or more of the systems of the proceeding A, B, C, or D examples. 
     3E. A method for generating one or more of the following: electricity, water heating, water cooling, comfort heating, comfort cooling, air conditioning or combinations thereof that uses one or more of the systems of the proceeding A, B, C or D examples. 
     1F. A device comprising: at least one thermoelectric generator; a first temperature storage material in thermal communication with a first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; a second temperature storage material in thermal communication with a second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator; at least one first temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the first temperature storage material at a first temperature range and at least one second temperature regenerator for maintaining at least in part the second temperature storage material at a second temperature range; and wherein the first temperature is higher than the second temperature and the difference in the temperature of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material creates a thermal difference between the two portions of the at least one thermoelectric generator which creates an electrical output; wherein a portion of the electrical output is used to power at least in part the at least one first temperature regenerator, the at least one second temperature regenerator, or both. 
     2F. The device of example 1F wherein the first portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a first side of the generator. 
     3F. The device of examples 1F or 2F wherein the second portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator is a second side of the generator. 
     4F. The device of examples 1F, 2F, or 3F wherein the device is a thermoelectric module that may be vertically stacked. 
     5F. The device of example 4F wherein the stack comprises at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, or 100 of the thermoelectric modules. 
     6F. The device one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the device is able to operate in a self sustaining manner between 30% to 50%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 80% to 100% of the desired operating period. 
     7F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the device provides sufficient electricity between 30% to 50%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 80% to 98%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the device is in operation. 
     8F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the device provides sufficient electricity, heating and/or cooling between 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 30% to 95%, 50% to 100%, 70% to 95%, 80% to 98%, 90% to 99.5%, 95% to 100%, or 80% to 100% of the time that the device is in operation. 
     9F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     10F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the first temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the first side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     11F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein at least one of the second temperature storage material is in thermal communication with the surface of the second side of the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     12F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein the at least one of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are partially or substantially thermally insulated from each other and/or the at least one thermoelectric generator and are still in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator by the use of at least one heat pipe or heat conduit. 
     13F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from one or more of the following: air, ambient air, gas, solids such a cement, water, water based salt hydrates, various forms of paraffins, fatty acids and esters, trimethylolethane, organic thermal salts, inorganic thermal salts, ionic liquids, thermal composites, vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     14F. The device of one or more of the proceeding examples wherein one or more of the first temperature storage material and the second temperature storage material are selected from vegetable-based fats or oils. 
     In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various disclosed aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed inventions requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure. 
     Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. 
     Although the present disclosure makes particular reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.