Solar Stirling Engine for Remote Power Generation

Denisse Aranda

Kevin LaMott

Stephen Wood

Advisor:Dr. Tao

Overview

Problem Statement Trade Studies and Design Alternatives Project Formulation Conceptual Design Prototype Specification Timeline and Division of

Responsibilities

Problem Statement The political, economical, environmental concerns over traditional

fossil fuel power generation have led to an overwhelming amount of innovation and research into cleaner renewable sources.

Of the existing sources of renewable energy, the most promising is the sun. It is the most abundant source of energy on the planet and it is a phenomenal source of light and heat. Scientific American magazine states, “The energy in sunlight striking the Earth for 40 minutes is the equivalent to global energy consumption for one year.”

Design Alternatives :Solar Collectors

Cost Ingenuity Ability Reliability TotalParabolic Mirrors 3 2 5 5 15Fresnel Plastic lens 5 5 4 5 19

Parabolic Mirrors Fresnel Lens

The scale is based on a scale on 1 – 5, where 5 is the most desirable based on the metric that are required for this project.

Design Alternatives:Solar Conversions

Cost Ingenuity Ability Reliability TotalPhotovoltaic 1 1 4 5 11Brayton Cycle 3 3 5 4 15Stirling Engine 4 5 5 4 18

Photovoltaics Brayton Cycle Stirling Engine

The scale is based on a scale on 1 – 5, where 5 is the most desirable based on the metric that are required for this project.

Design Alternatives:Types of Stirling Engines

Cost Ingenuity Ability Reliability TotalAlpha Stirling 3 4 3 3 13Beta Stirling 4 4 4 5 17Gamma Stirling 3 4 4 4 15

Alpha Beta Gamma

The scale is based on a scale on 1 – 5, where 5 is the most desirable based on the metric that are required for this project.

Project Formulation

A Stirling Engine of Beta configuration should generate up to 25 kW during peak performance

Fresnel lens should concentrate approximately 100 kW on solar energy on the hot end of the engine

Efficient conversion between mechanical energy to electrical energy

Initial Conceptual Design

Current Conceptual Design

Prototype Specification Fresnel lens should concentrate over

1kWh Hot End Temperature 250˚F Cold End Temperature 100˚F Efficiencies 25 – 35 %

Timeline & Division of Responsibilities

Conclusion

A conceptual design and prototype of a Stirling engine of Beta configuration that uses a Fresnel lens for a solar collector will generate 25 kW of power for use in solar plant or to provide power for remote areas and disaster relief.

Any Questions ?