Abstract

Energy-related (power) technologies may be treated as a combination of engineering-technical methods of energy and work conversion employed to facilitate human life. They are divided into two main groups. The first group comprises technologies of heat conversion into another type of energy (mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, etc.) while the second one comprises technologies of heat transfer, accumulation, and regeneration. Each thermal technology discussed herein will be illustrated by specific physical schemes and devices. We shall consider them in the following order:

Technologies of mechanical work performance (so called thermomechanical technologies)

Technologies of generation of electrical energy (thermoelectric technologies)

Technologies of heat transformation (regeneration and recuperation)

Technologies of heat transfer and collection (transfer and accumulation)

Technologies creating comfortable environment (air conditioning and ventilation)