Harnessing the Sun for Bulk Power Generation - A Revolutionary Approach

💡The project aims to generate bulk power using the sun's energy and a parabolic dish.

⚙️Unlike internal combustion engines, this project utilizes an external combustion engine to convert heat into mechanical energy.

🌞Stirling Energy Systems is modernizing the technology and plans to deploy thousands of dishes in one location for power generation.

🔬Sandia National Laboratories collaborates with SES to provide engineering services and support.

🔄This project represents an innovative approach to harnessing solar energy for power generation.

How does the project generate power using the sun?

—The sun's rays are reflected onto a hot portion of a heat engine using a parabolic dish. The collected heat is then used to turn the engine, which generates electricity.

What is the difference between an internal combustion engine and an external combustion engine?

—An internal combustion engine, like the one in cars, converts heat to mechanical energy internally. In this project, an external combustion engine is used, where heat is applied externally to expand gases that move a piston and generate energy.

What is Stirling Energy Systems' role in the project?

—Stirling Energy Systems is modernizing the technology and aims to deploy thousands of dishes in one location for power generation. They collaborate with Sandia National Laboratories for engineering services and support.

How does Sandia National Laboratories contribute to the project?

—Sandia National Laboratories provides engineering services and support to Stirling Energy Systems. They work together to develop and optimize the technology.

What makes this project innovative?

—This project represents a revolutionary approach to harnessing solar energy for bulk power generation. The utilization of a parabolic dish, external combustion engine, and the collaboration between SES and Sandia National Laboratories make it unique.

00:00The project aims to generate bulk power using the sun's energy and a parabolic dish focused on a heat engine.

01:18Stirling Energy Systems is modernizing the technology from the early 80s and plans to deploy thousands of dishes for power generation.

02:02Sandia National Laboratories collaborates with SES, providing engineering services and support.

01:35SES's approach involves deploying as many as twenty thousand dishes in one location for power generation, a radical departure from previous use cases.

00:27This project utilizes an external combustion engine to convert heat into mechanical energy, a different approach from internal combustion engines.