Converting everyday heat energy into electricity

[dbaezner]

Separate question. Can anyone tell me what the limitations would be of trying to convert the planet's ever increasing heat into electricity. I'm imagining building materials that could take 100-120 degree heat and convert it for use in running home appliances, including air conditioners. How likely is this?

Thanks,
Dirk

 

[Drakkith]

You'd need some sort of heat engine, but those require differences in temperatures, so you'd need a cooler place to act as a heat sink. Unfortunately the way you're imagining it isn't quite feasible, as heat engines work poorly when there is only a small difference between the hot and cold sides.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_engine