[lowtechmagazine]

Now that I have some more time, I actually do want to address your comment in more detail.

1. "Kris De Decker just really doesn't like plastic!"

Correct. We need to get rid of plastic. Keep reading me if you want to know how.

2. "TEGs tend to get burned up"

Not if you build a well designed stove, which is what all the research in the article is about.

3. "They are not going to run your vacuum cleaner or your e-scooter, contrary to the misleading illustrations in this article."

There are several references in the article to prototypes of thermoelectric heating systems that actually do provide enough power to run a vacuum cleaner or an e-scooter.

4. "The truth is that solar panels are not being recycled because almost all of them still work"

Just read a bit about the recycling of solar panels, OK? You can find the references in the article.

5. "TEGs are not "less costly" than solar panels."

In your calculation, you completely ignore the energy storage and the installation. And that's where the cost advantage of the TEG is. Also, no need to oversize generation capacity. RTFA.

6. "The apartment I'm in here is primarily heated by an air conditioner with the capability of functioning backwards, in which mode it produces about 3 kilowatts of heating in exchange for a single kilowatt of electricity."

So where are you getting that single kilowatt of electricity from? Also, can your air conditioner also cook your food, heat your water, and maybe even provide you with lighting? No. You need a lot more electric appliances (and infrastructures) for that.

7. "So what could have motivated such a mendacious article?"

You would not have the balls to say these things in my face.