  So far, the efficiency of thermoelectric energy conversion remains low
compared to traditional technologies, such as coal or nuclear. This low
efficiency can be explained by connecting the thermoelastic properties of the
electronic working fluid to its transport properties. Such connection also
shows that operating close to electronic phase transitions can be an efficient
way to boost the thermoelectric energy conversion. In this paper, we analyze
thermoelectric efficiency close to the metal-insulator Anderson transition. Our
results reveal the direct link between the thermoelectric and thermoelastic
properties of Anderson-type systems. Moreover, the role of the conductivity
critical exponent in the thermoelectric energy conversion is analysed. Finally,
we show that relatively large values of the thermoelectric figure of merit may
be obtained in the vicinity of the Anderson transition.
