Dishing out power with a solar engine

[hankthecrank]

http://news.com.com/Dishing+out+power+with+a+solar+engine/2100-1008_3-6129168.html?tag=nefd.lede

A company is trying to prove that a 19th-century design known as the Stirling engine has a place in the emerging market for clean energy.

Infinia, based in Kennewick, Wash., plans to release a dish--which will look like a large satellite TV receiver--that will use the sun's heat to generate electricity. The product is slated for final design later this year and commercial release in 2008.

Right now its better using the heat from the sun.

More info at link below


http://www.infiniacorp.com/applications/remote.htm

[whistle]

1. I played with Stirling engines as a kid

...look here for lots of photos:

http://www.jerry-howell.com/Cust-Pix-2.html

[hunter]

4. That's some lovely machine work!

Thanks for the link.

[acmejack]

2. Stirlings are very cool.

Always fascinated me, of course, I am easily amused.

[skids]

3. A bit smaller than the SES system...

...and using curved polished metal rather than mirrors.

I suppose the stirling they are using must be smaller, perhaps a higher temp one as well if the focus spot is tighter... they seem to have free piston stirlings down into the 55W range.




...though IIRC the SES boasts higher efficiency numbers around 30%ish whereas this is 24%ish -- but they may make up the difference on cost.

[hunter]

5. I'm still dreaming of my Stirling-electric car powered by wood pellets...

It would double as a backup power supply for my dream vacation cabin.

Until then it's fun to imagine playing around with one of these:



http://www.kockums.com.tr/Submarines/gotland.html

It has a "Stirling Air Independent Propulsion System."

I've always thought a simplified Stirling engine fitted out with modern power control systems might be very useful