A network of distributed thermoelectric assemblies, the network comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, each thermoelectric assembly having a first side and a second side, each thermoelectric assembly selectively operable either to heat a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from a first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid, wherein each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, each thermoelectric assembly comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the first side and with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric assembly, the first heat exchanger configured to be in thermal communication with the first working fluid; and a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly and with the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly; one or more conduits fluidically coupled to the first heat exchangers of each thermoelectric assembly of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, the one or more conduits providing a flowpath through which the first working fluid flows to and from each of the first heat exchangers; at least one fluid conduit is part of a first working fluid loop through which the first working fluid flows repeatedly, and wherein the first working fluid is a liquid; and one or more flow controllers adjustable to place one or more selected thermoelectric assemblies in thermal communication with the first working fluid. a plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, each thermoelectric assembly having a first side and a second side, each thermoelectric assembly selectively operable either to heat a region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from a first working fluid to the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly or to cool the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly by transferring heat from the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly to the first working fluid, wherein each thermoelectric assembly is operable independently from operation of other thermoelectric assemblies of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, each thermoelectric assembly comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the first side and with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric assembly, the first heat exchanger configured to be in thermal communication with the first working fluid; and a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly and with the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly; a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the first side and with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first side of the thermoelectric assembly, the first heat exchanger configured to be in thermal communication with the first working fluid; and a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the second side of the thermoelectric assembly and with the region corresponding to the thermoelectric assembly; one or more conduits fluidically coupled to the first heat exchangers of each thermoelectric assembly of the plurality of thermoelectric assemblies, the one or more conduits providing a flowpath through which the first working fluid flows to and from each of the first heat exchangers; at least one fluid conduit is part of a first working fluid loop through which the first working fluid flows repeatedly, and wherein the first working fluid is a liquid; and one or more flow controllers adjustable to place one or more selected thermoelectric assemblies in thermal communication with the first working fluid.