Hybrid Thermoelectric–Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Sustainable Buildings: Performance and Certification Impact

This paper presents a hybrid energy harvesting approach tailored for sustainable building environments, utilizing thermoelectric and piezoelectric mechanisms to convert ambient waste energy into usable electrical power. A Peltier module-based thermoelectric generator captures heat differentials across building facades, achieving a power output of approximately 74 mW at a 10°C gradient, while a piezoelectric converter embedded in the floor structure yields up to 600 mW at 240 Hz and optimal voltage excitation. A series of small-scale experimental investigations were conducted to assess the harvested energy potential, and the results were subsequently validated through simulation tools, demonstrating a prediction accuracy exceeding 93% in comparison with the empirical datasets. Additional simulations analysing module size and material efficiency demonstrated that a 3×3-inch high-performance thermoelectric module could yield up to 0.5 W at a 60°C hot-side temperature—outperforming conventional modules by more than double. Furthermore, the integration of the hybrid harvesting system into a prototypical wall-floor assembly contributed to an 18.5% reduction in net energy consumption within modelled indoor environments. These performance metrics were mapped onto green building rating frameworks such as LEED and BREEAM, showing an incremental increase of up to 8 certification points for structures employing the proposed harvesting technologies.