[Iris7]

I make no comment on "solar power". Perhaps this installation will be an honest assessment of the technology. Perhaps not.

After all, there are no political axes to grind, oh, no!.

The Stirling cycle engine very recently has become a viable automotive engine. An English group claims 80% thermal efficiency in their automotive design. They say they have the weight, size, and cost under control. This is probably wishful thinking. If it is all true, though, it means that Prius sized cars can triple their fuel economy.

Also a Stirling can burn anything - liquid, solid, or gas - if designed and built for exotic fuels.

This is the last unexploited technology available for use. Conservation and nuclear is the only way left to cut fossil energy use further. After the Sterling car engine no "three times more efficient" technology is within sight.

Satellite solar power, if people want to do it. Big job.

[The Red Zone]

Satellite solar power, if people want to do it.

Nuke-a-bird technology?

[Arkie2]

I'm more interested in the use of the stirling engine here than the solar power aspect. The stirling is just so damn efficient it's a shame it's not used in more applications.

[hadaclueonce]

I am for any generation that will generate during the peak hours. Here in Texas with the wind generation the wind blowing at night during the off peak hours, I am up to my chin with excess generation and know where to put it.

[Edward Watson]

Yes and no. Solar power satellite in earth orbit, or on the moon simply aren't profitable at today's launch and electricity prices. What is needed is an NSO SPS-statite-receiving station system. An SPS is placed in a near solar orbit of (preferrably) around 10 million km from the sun. The solar energy is converted to microwave which is beamed to a statite in polar orbit. The polar statite in turn beams the energy down to receiving stations along the hemisphere.

The increased solar flux makes the entire venture profitable, even if electricity is only sold for 1/10th of a cent/kWh (IIRC).

[dljordan]

" This is the last unexploited technology available for use."

Guess we'ed better shut down the patent office again.

[FYREDEUS]

GOOD job; Solar power satellites...IF people 'want' to do it.

Which they havent for 30 years.

Gee I thought AMERICANS weren't afraid to 'think big'...or did that end with Apollo? -sigh-

SPACE is the RIGHT place for solar.

[Doohickey]

The Stirling cycle engine very recently has become a viable automotive engine.

Would you please provide a link for that statement? To the best of my knowledge, Stirlings don't replace Otto cycle engines in automotive applications because they take longer to start, run at much higher RPMs, are bulkier and aren't suited to the variable power that automobiles demand.

A power plant, however, seems like a made-to-order application for Stirling engines.

[anymouse]

Solar Power Satellite Forum