Device for producing electric energy

A device for producing electric energy includes a plurality of thermocouples, each of which has a first conductor element, a second conductor element connected witht he first conductor element, and a third conductor element connected with the second conductor element on the opposite side of the second conductor element from the first conductor element. The conductive material of the fist and third conductor elements is different from the conductive material of the second conductor elements; the first conductor elements are connected with a heat source, and the third conductor elements are connected with a heat sink. A bank of thermocouples is provided, in which the first and third conductor elements of successive thermocouples alternately face each other. The conductor elements that face each other in the bank are electrically connected with each other' and the second conductor elements of the thermocouples are alternately made of conductive material that is thermoelectrically positive and thermoelectrically negative with respect to the conductive material of the first and third conductor elements.