Electrocaloric vs. magnetocaloric energy conversion

•Electrocaloric (EC) and magnetocaloric (MC) regenerators were compared.•The analysis was performed based on a previously developed numerical model.•The EC regenerator shows very similar or even better results than the MC regenerator.•If larger electric fields are applied, the EC regenerator shows better performance.

Currently, one of the most interesting alternatives to conventional compressor refrigeration is magnetic refrigeration. However, despite its great potential, some important obstacles, relating mostly to the relatively low power density and the related high costs, must be overcome. Another alternative, which also shows great potential, is electrocaloric refrigeration. Until recently, electrocaloric materials were not so common; however, a number of different electrocaloric materials exist today. Like magnetocalorics, these can be used in the form of a regenerator in order to increase the temperature span. Based on a previously developed numerical model, we have made a comparison between electrocaloric and magnetocaloric regenerators. The results suggest that electrocaloric energy conversion represents a serious alternative, not only to compressor-based technologies, but also to magnetocalorics.