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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering
Solar Powered Stirling Engine for Self-Generating
Electricity
R.Aishwarya, K.DhivyaBharathi
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sri SaiRam Engineering College, Chennai, India
Email: aishusaran10@gmail.com, dhivykrish@gmail.com


Abstract- In the energy deficient world, it is strongly felt that the use
of solar energy as a possible source is not being fully utilised. So in
an attempt to deploy its use, a novel concept of solar powered
stirling engine is introduced in this paper. At present there are no
solar powered Stirling engines ready for use in many countries. The
Stirling engine used here runs using solar power from computer
controlled solar beam concentrator. Stirling engine is unique in its
sense that it uses only two pistons for its operation to produce
motoring action unlike the conventional motors. A Stirling engine is
basically a heat engine that operates by cyclic compression and
expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different
temperature levels such that there is a net conversion of heat energy
to mechanical work. This solar powered Stirling engine is coupled
with a generator to produce power. The generator is usually a linear
alternator which helps in reducing the number of moving parts and
linkages that are required in a conventional generator arrangement.
Moreover, the gas bearings provide a non-contact frictionless
surface for the piston, thus eliminating the need of maintenance.
Provision for storage of solar heat using salt storage system is
implemented to make use during its absence. The Stirling engine is
noted for its high efficiency (up to 40%), quiet operation, and the
ease with which it can use almost any heat source. It has the ability
to utilize effectively any burnable fuel, such as wood, rice husk,
straw, agricultural waste and other readily available and cheap
combustibles. This compatibility with alternative and renewable
energy sources has become increasingly significant as the price of
conventional fuel rise. This method of power production has no
pollution, no noise. Incredibly, the absorber in the concentrator is
very small (10 x 10) but has the ability of providing 10kW per
hour. This is proven to be the most efficient way to convert solar
energy to electric power. It is twice efficient and five times cost-
effective than the conventional method using Photo voltaic cells.
This engine is currently exciting interest as it is more efficient and
safer than a comparable steam engine. Stirling engines are also
being looked by NASA for the use in space exploration.
Keywords-cyclic compression and expansion, linear alternator,
solar beam concentrators, stirling cooler, stirling engine.
I. INTRODUCTION
God said, LET THERE BE LIGHT & there was light but the
Electricity Board said He would have to wait until thursday to
be connected is the present situation of our country. Probably
the above lines would have made you people to get an idea of
what the paper is about.Its nothing else than a solution for
increasing demand of power. One of the ways of meeting this
power demand is by producing



power ourselves without depending on our government. We
can even sell the excess of electricity if one is connected to
grid. Let us see how to self-generate electricity easily by
making use of solar powered stirling generators in this paper.
First of all, we need to be aware of the major resource for the
power production & how long will it last? The answer to this
question is of course the black diamond, coal. But the present
scenario is that the availability of coal content will last hardly
for another 155 years. Also other resources like diesel, nuclear
power seems to be costly. So, we need to find an alternative
fuel[10] for power production. While thinking about this, we
must keep in mind that the resources should also be renewable.
The everlasting resource which is at the reach of everyone is
our CLEAN and GREEN SOLAR POWER[2][5].This way of
generation ensures to be Eco-friendly too. The convenience of
this engine is that it can be operated at any time, day or night,
rain or shine by making use of the salt storage concept[13].This
is going to be the heat source for the Stirling motor. This motor
doesnt have parts like STATOR or ROTOR[4] but it has just a
piston, cylinder & a displacer(as shown in fig.1)which
produces the motoring action[1][7], which will be coupled with
an alternator to produce power. The suns energy is focussed
using Solar Beam Concentrator. One Solar Beam
Concentrator[6]can produce peak 10 kW/hour if we focus an
average of 8 hours of sun per day, you would achieve 80 kW
power generation in a day. Thus, this new way of power
generation with air or other gas as working fluid[3] is really
going to change the world[12].

Fig.1 Stirling motor and its parts

II. WORKING PRINCIPLE
The working of this generator can be analysed from:
A.MOTORING ACTION
B.POWER GENERATION

978-1-4577-2149-6/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE


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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering
A. Motoring Action due to Stirling Cycle
The Stirling engine was invented by Robert Stirling, a
Scottish minister in 1816. At that time, Stirling engines were
recognized as a safe engine that could not explode like steam
engines of that era often did. As the output of a Stirling engine
is mechanical, it can be considered as a Stirling motor.
The Stirling engine is a heat engine that operates by cyclic
compression and expansion of air or other gas as the working
fluid, at the different temperature levels such that there is a net
conversion of heat energy into mechanical work. The gases
used inside a Stirling engine never leave the engine. There are
no exhaust valves that vent high-pressure gases, as in a
gasoline or diesel engine, and there are no explosions taking
place. Because of this, Stirling engines are very quiet.
The Stirling cycle uses an external heat source, which could be
anything from gasoline to solar energy to the heat produced by
decaying plants. No combustion takes place inside the
cylinders of the engine.
The Stirling engine uses the concept of Stirling cycle. The
cycle of generic stirling engine is as follows:

Fig.2.1 Stirling cycle resulting in motoring action
With reference to fig.2,Air at the bottom of cylinder (E) is
heated, thus expanding and forcing the piston (A)(which has
about a 25-micrometer clearance in the cylinder)upward. At
this time the displacer (B) is driven downward to the bottom of
the cylinder. Since the displacer is of the smaller diameter than
the cylinder, the hot air rushes around the displacer to the cool
end of the engine (F). Once in the top of the cylinder, the hot
air begins to contract, sucking the piston downward. Now, the
displacer moves upward, forcing all the cool air from the top
end of the cylinder to the bottom end. Here the air is heated and
the cycle begins again.
The idealized Stirling engine has four thermodynamic
processes acting on the working fluid:

Isothermal Expansion-The expansion-space and associated
heat exchanger are maintained at a constant high temperature,
and the gas undergoes near-isothermal expansion absorbing
heat from the hot source.
Constant Volume (known as isovolumetric or isochoric) heat-
removal-The gas is passed through the regenerator, where it
cools transferring heat to the regenerator for use in the next
cycle.
Isothermal Compression-The compression space and
associated heat exchanger are maintained at a constant low
temperature so the gas undergoes near-isothermal compression
rejecting heat to the cold sink.
Constant Volume (known as isovolumetric or isochoric) heat-
addition-The gas passes back through the regenerator where it
recovers much of the heat transferred in isovolumetric heat
removal, heating up on its way to the expansion space.
While considering the practical cycle, we can explain this
engine working in the following manner:
1) Process 1:Most of the working gas is in contact with the
hot cylinder walls, it has been heated and expansion has pushed
the cold piston to the bottom of its travel in the cylinder(refer
fig 2.2).The expansion continues in the cold cylinder, which is
90 behind the hot piston in its cycle, extracting more work
from the hot gas.
RED CYLINDER-HOT END(H)
BLUE CYLINDER-COLD END(C)

Fig.2.2 Gas at end H expanding isothermally by absorbing heat from the source
2) Process 2:The gas is now at its maximum volume. The hot
cylinder piston begins to move most of the gas into the cold
cylinder(refer fig 2.3), where it cools and the pressure drops.

Fig.2.3 Gas moving from H to C at constant volume
3) Process 3:Almost all the gas is now in the cold cylinder
and cooling continues(refer fig 2.4). The cold piston, powered
by flywheel momentum (or other piston pairs on the same
shaft) compresses the remaining part of the gas.

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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering

Fig.2.4 Isothermal compression of the gas from C to H
4) Process 4:The gas reaches its minimum volume, and it
will now expand in the hot cylinder(refer fig 2.5) where it will
be heated once more, driving the hot piston in its power stroke.

Fig.2.5 Gas expanding isochorically in H
Thus this cycle repeats to produce rotary motion at the output
thereby producing mechanical energy.

A. Power Generation using Solar Energy
Solar power is used for the generation of electricity from
sunlight. This can be direct as with photovoltaics (PV), or
indirect as with concentrating solar power (CSP), where the
sun's energy is focused to heat the air in the displacer which
runs the motor and then coupled to a generator to produce
power. The generator is usually a linear alternator which helps
in reducing the number of moving parts and linkages that are
required in a conventional generator arrangement. Moreover,
the gas bearings provide a non-contact frictionless surface for
the piston, thus eliminating the need of maintenance.
Solar Beam Concentrator
1.Concentrator
The solar beam concentrator is designed to take advantage of
the parabolic curve performance of a reflector which is the
most efficient means of collecting solar energy. By utilizing the
parabolic curve, the SolarBeam concentrator focuses the suns
intensity onto the focal point, where the absorber is located.
Incredibly, the absorber is very small (10 x 10) but has the
ability of providing 10kW per hour (31,140 BTUs)
It is designed to handle extreme weather conditions (refer fig
2.6). High quality components & materials are used to ensure
product integrity in both hot and cold conditions. The reflective
petals are made of a high quality reflective material with a high
resistance to corrosion. The reflective petals will
not deteriorate from salt spray or acid rain when installed in
regions prone to these conditions.

2.Solar Collector
The solar absorber is made of solid aluminum block to
maximize the thermal transfer to the poly-glycol fluid.
3.Power Train
The power mechanism for the solar concentrator is driven by a
motor for horizontal tracking and a heavy-duty actuator is used
for vertical tracking.
4.Tracking System
SolarBeams celestial tracking system allows the concentrator
to follow the sun during all times and seasons with 100%
accuracy. The solar concentrator does not require additional
sensors to track the sun. As seasons change, the distance from
the earth to the sun also changes. The solar
concentrator automatically adjusts each day to maintain
alignment with the sun.
5.Wind Load
The solar concentrators supporting structure, including the
foundation, is designed to withstand up to 170km per hour
wind load.
6.Safety
The system goes into safety mode when there is no sun
available for harvesting. This safety feature places the solar
concentrator in a horizontal position to protect it from damage
from wind or vandalism.


Fig.2.6 Solar Beam Concentrator showing its parts

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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering
7.Mounting Structure
With practicality in mind, the mounting structure was designed
so that the SolarBeam will not affect people or animals near
the collector; nor will people or animals interfere with its
operation. When the SolarBeam is mounted on the ground, its
mounting post will be 8 feet from the ground post and the
reflective dish is 15 feet wide (4.5 m). The mounting of
SolarBeam on the roof is a perfect option for apartment
buildings, hotels, offices, grocery stores and retail stores which
will not affect the daily operation of the facility.
Solarbeam Concentrator vs. The Competition
SolarBeam tracks the sun continuously no matter the time or
the season. This provides 100% direct perpendicular sun
collection throughout the entire day, maximizing efficiency.
SolarBeams solar collector is smaller than those of other
systems and so the heat loss is much lower due to the decreased
surface area.The sizes of SolarBeams collector (10 x 10)
when compared to that of an evacuated tube design (110 ft2).
Though SolarBeams size is smaller,this efficient design
collects 10kW or 31,140 BTUs per hour.
Passive mounting systems miss much of the suns energy
each day, even in their most optimal conditions. Stationary
collectors only harvest at peak efficiencies during a short time
in the day. If the sun is obscured by clouds during those short
couple of hours, the days peak collection has been missed.
Thats harvestable energy savings gone forever. SolarBeam
uses a patent pending tracking system that follows the sun, so it
is always in peak-efficiency position.
SolarBeam does not suffer from stagnated heat conditions as
flat panel and evacuated tube systems do. Flat panels and
evacuated tubes are, by their very nature, susceptible to heat
stagnation. This occurs when the heat collected cannot be
extracted from the collectors because the application has all the
heat it requires. The tubes and panels cannot move out of the
sun and as a result continue to collect energy, which can be
damaging and dangerous. The SolarBeam automatically turns
the collector away from the sun until more energy is required,
at that time it realigns to collect more energy.

III.STIRLING GENERATORS STORING ENERGY BY
MOLTEN SALTS
Solar energy is not available at night, making energy storage
an important issue in order to provide the continuous
availability of energy. Solar power is intermittent energy
source, meaning that all available output must be taken when it
is available and either stored for when it can be used, or
transported, over transmission lines, to where it can be used.
This method of energy storage, allows us to store enough heat
in a 68 m storage tank to provide full output of 10 MWe for
about 40 minutes, with an efficiency of about 99%(refer fig.
2.7).Salts (potassium nitrate) are an effective storage medium
because they are low-cost, non-toxic, have a high specific heat
capacity and can deliver heat at temperatures compatible with
conventional power systems, have the potential to eliminate the
intermittency of solar power, by storing spare solar power in
the form of heat and using this heat overnight or during periods
when solar power is not available to produce electricity.
This technology has the potential to make solar power
dispatchable, as the heat source can be used to generate
electricity at will. This has proven to be the backbone for
modern renewable electricity grids.
U.S, MiddleEast and North Africa have invested in the solar
thermal storage power sector which is five times greater than
the total Australias the coal-fired electricity capacity. Spain
has 15,550MW of solar thermal plants.Solar power
installations are normally supplemented by storage or another
energy source, for example with wind power and hydropower.

Fig. 2.7 Flow diagram for the storage of solar power using molten salt

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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering
IV. ENERGY PAYBACK TIME AND ENERGY RETURNED ON
ENERGY INVESTED
The energy payback time of a power generating system is the
time required to generate as much energy as was consumed
during production of the system. The payback period for the
Stirling engines is between 2-3 years which assumes an 8,000
hours per year of operation. Due to the SolarBeams superior
design, its cost is lower and its efficiency is higher. That gives
SolarBeam a shorter payback period than flat panel and
evacuated tube systems. It starts putting money back in your
pockets as soon as it starts working, and will pay for itself in
about 6 years. Thats much better than the 15-20 year payback
of other systems. It is the most economical way to lessen your
demand for power from the grid.
Another economic measure, closely related to the energy
payback time, is the energy returned on energy invested
(EROEI) or energy return on investment (EROI) which is the
ratio of electricity generated divided by the energy required to
build and maintain the equipment. The Stirling engines have a
10% return on investment.

V. POWER COSTS AND EFFICIENCY
Developing a 1 megawatt low temperature Stirling engine to
convert excess process heat and steam energy at industrial
plants into electricity has an efficiency of 13% for steam and
20% for industrial heat, with the Operation and Maintenance
(O&M) costs projected at 0.296/Kw.The concentrated solar
power is five times cost-efficient than photovoltaic (PV) and its
efficiency being twice that of PV. Due to SolarBeams
innovative design, it requires 98-262% less space than
conventional solar flat plate panels or solar evacuated tube
panels.

VI.FUTURE OF STIRLING ENGINES
A study done by Greenpeace International, the European Solar
Thermal Electricity Association, and the International Energy
Agency's Solar PACES group investigated the potential and
future of concentrated solar power. The study found that
concentrated solar power could account for up to 25% of the
world's energy needs by 2050(as per Table-I). Also, with this
expansion of concentrated solar power, thousands of new jobs
would be created and millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide
would be prevented from being released.
TABLE I
SCOPE FOR SOLAR ENERGY IN FUTURE


Time
Investment per year(in ) Capacity
2015 1410 billion 420 megawatts
2050 11686 billion 1500 gigawatts

VII. ADVANTAGES
A. The high efficiency
It is function of the temperatures of the hot and cold sources.
As it is possible to make it work in cogeneration (mechanical
and caloric powers), the overall efficiency can be very high.
B. Multitude of sources
The combustion of various gases, wood, sawdust, waste heat
from industrial processes ensures that any heat source can be
used.
C. Non-Polluting
The ecological aptitude to respond to the environmental
requirements on air pollution.
D. Easy start
They start easily (after warm up) and run more efficiently in
cold weather, in contrast to the internal combustion which
starts quickly in warm weather, but not in cold weather.
E. Silence of operation
There is no expansion in the atmosphere like in the case of an
internal combustion engine; combustion is continuous outside
of the cylinders thereby eliminating noise.
F. Combustion
It is easier to achieve a complete combustion in this type of
engine.
G. Reliability and easy maintenance
The technological simplicity makes it possible to have
engines with a very great reliability and requiring little
maintenance. It can be operated by even untrained persons.
H. Lifetime
An important lifetime because of its rusticity The very
diverse uses because of its autonomy and adaptability to the
need (from mW to MW).
I. Simplicity
The engine mechanisms are in some ways simpler than other
reciprocating engine types. No valves are needed, and the
burner system can be relatively simple. Crude Stirling engines
can be made using common household materials.
J. Low risks
A Stirling engine uses a single-phase working fluid which
maintains an internal pressure close to the design pressure, and
thus for a properly designed system the risk of explosion is
low. In comparison, a steam engine uses a two-phase gas/liquid
working fluid, so a faulty release valve can cause an explosion.
K. Less weight
In some cases, low operating pressure allows the use of
lightweight cylinders. With the post and the reflective petals,
the SolarBeam weighs approximately 700 pounds.
L. Configuration:
A Stirling engine used for pumping water can be configured
so that the water cools the compression space. This is most
effective when pumping cold water.
M. Duality
Waste heat is easily harvested (compared to waste heat from
an internal combustion engine) making Stirling engines useful
for dual-output heat and power systems.
N. Easy balance
The engine is easy to balance and generates few vibrations.
Thus, because of characteristics such as simple
arrangement, fewer parts, zero maintenance and absolutely
environmentally friendly, the Stirling engines are sure to be the
best solar energy tapping devices ever built.



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2011 International Conference on Recent Advancements in Electrical, Electronics and Control Engineering
VIII. THE CURRENT AND PAST APPLICATIONS OF STIRLING
ENGINES
At the moment, Stirling engine is unknown to the public. It
is seldom used. However, one can quote, in a nonexhaustive
way, the following scopes of application:
A. Research and university world
Stirling engine is the subject of theoretical studies and
practical works in order to better know it, to improve its output
and to increase its competitiveness facing other energy sources.
These works enable the modelization of this engine, i.e. to put
in equations the heat transfers, the flows of the fluids, to
simulate certain configurations without having to build an
engine. When one studies something at school or university,
this promotes its introduction in everyday life. No doubt that
will happen for the Stirling engine.
B. Military uses
Stirling engines can be used for auxiliary electrical production
in order to provide the vital functions in the event of
unavailability of the main source. Its silence of operation is a
major asset in this application. Some military ships also use
this technology for corvettes or boats for mine detection or
acoustic monitoring.
C. Spatial domain
Some satellites get energy through a Stirling engine. The
efficiency is particularly high considering the great differences
in temperature.
D. Solar applications
Remember, that when we are able to track the sun
continuously, we will be focusing the suns intensity 100% of
the time.Its efficiency increases significantly compared to
stand-alone evacuated tube technology or photo-voltaic
panels.The SolarBeam stands out as the first ever solar
concentrator to produce up to 3.5kW of electricity from a
single system on the concentrator surface that is 10x10.
E. Research and oceanographical exploitation
SAGA(Submarine Assistance Great Autonomy), used two
Stirling engines for a campaign since it has only a very
minimal number of moving parts and they won't wear out very
fast. Long lasting and silent is why the Navy uses them in subs.
F. Cryognic domain
The reversibility of the Stirling engine is used in order to
produce cold in an industrial way. Its efficiency is then
excellent. We provide mechanical energy to the engine. In fact,
we transfer calories from the cold source the hot source, like in
a domestic refrigerator. This mode of operation is so efficient
that we use this type of installation to liquefy certain gas.
G. Domestic uses
Small installations were developed in order to function in
cogeneration: electricity supply and dwelling heating. One
chooses fuel (oil, wood, wood pellets) to make electricity and
to heat a house. During certain periods, it is possible to sell
excess electricity if one is connected to the grid. If the area
where one lives has 7 hours of sunshine a day, the SolarBeam
will produce 10kW of solar energy per hour . 7 hours of
sunshine a day x 365 days, that amounts to 70 kW per day of
free energy.

H. Heating & cooling purposes
The waste heat can be used to heat your water or keep your
house warm in the winter. To keep you cool in the summer the
Stirling engine could drive an optional Stirling cooler (which is
basically a Stirling engine running in reverse) uses the
environmentally friendly "refrigerant" Helium and not
Freon.The Stirling regenerators, where the working gas is
cooled inside the engine, are expected to provide 2.7 million
Btu of hot water per hour.
I. Leisures
Some fans have made beautiful small-scale models which are
moved by a Stirling engine. Even the Stirling engines can be
operated by the warmth of ones hand. We can even reduce
household fuel bills up to 30% if we make use of waste heat at
houses.

IX. CONCLUSION
This invention could really change the world because the
current method of delivering electricity is extremely
insufficient. A new power plant will typically burn natural gas,
but there are a lot of losses between the power station and your
house. It would be much more efficient to generate the power
at your house by making use of renewable sources.Thus we can
be generating power on our own and atleast compensate our
additional needs thereby sharing the power with our neighbours
and leaving way for the future generations to make use of the
resources because ENERGY SAVED IS ENERGY
PRODUCED. Finally, a big thank you to Robert Stirling for
making us know this concept of Stirling engines and further
making us to analyse on an eco-friendly power production and
it can be said that Stirling engine is a "extra green, extra quiet,
extraordinary."
REFERENCES
[1]W.T. Beale (1971). "Stirling Cycle Type Thermal Device", US patent
3552120. Granted to Research Corp, 5 January 1971.
[2]"The Philips Stirling Engine" by C. M. Hargreaves (Hardcover - Oct 1,
1991)
[3]S. Backhaus; G. Swift (2003). "Acoustic Stirling Heat Engine: More
Efficient than Other No-Moving-Parts Heat Engines".
[4]S.D. Allan (2005). "World's Largest Solar Installation to use Stirling Engine
Technology". Pure Energy Systems News.
[5]H.W. Brandhorst; J.A. Rodiek (2005). "A 25 kW Solar Stirling Concept for
Lunar Surface Exploration". in International Astronautics Federation
(PDF). Procedings of the 56th International Astronautical Co.
[6]J. A. Riofrio, K. Al-Dakkan, M. E. Hofacker, E. J. Barth. "Control-based
Design of Free-Piston Stirling Engines,"Proceedings of the 2008 American
Control Conference (ACC), pp. 1533-1538, June 11-13, 2008. Seattle, WA.