Sustainable Economic mCHP Stirling (SEmS) Generator

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Program:
GENSETS
Award:
$4,008,019
Location:
Ayer, Massachusetts
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
11/30/2015 - 10/31/2019

Technology Description:

American Superconductor (AMSC) in collaboration with team members Qnergy, Alcoa Howmet, Gas Technology Institute (GTI), MicroCogen Partners, and A.O. Smith Corporation will develop a Free-Piston Stirling engine (FPSE) powered by an ultra-low-emissions natural gas burner for micro-CHP applications. A Stirling engine uses a working gas housed in a sealed environment, in this case the working gas is helium. When heated by the natural gas-fueled burner, the gas expands causing a piston to move and interact with a linear alternator to produce electricity. As the gas cools and contracts, the process resets before repeating again. Advanced Stirling engines endeavor to carefully manage heat inside the system to make the most efficient use of the natural gas energy. The ITC design features free-piston architecture using flexure bearings thus eliminating rubbing parts and allowing for long system life under continuous use. The team will also develop novel materials that enable high-temperature engine operation, further increasing the efficiency of the system.

Potential Impact:

If successful, AMSC's project will facilitate development and commercialization of economical, efficient, and durable CHP systems for residential use. These advancements support progress toward ARPA-E’s overall goals as follows:

Security:

Innovations developed in this project could help households and businesses become more energy self-reliant and less susceptible to energy-related outages through distributed, local generation of power and heat.

Environment:

Widespread adoption of high-efficiency residential CHP systems could decrease overall primary energy consumption and therefore reduce CO2 emissions associated with electricity generation by up to 10%.

Economy:

Cost-effective natural gas-fueled residential CHP systems could offer consumers lower electricity and heating bills.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. David Tew
Project Contact:
Mr. Maurice White
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
Maury.White@amsc.com

Partners

Gas Technology Institute
Qnergy, Inc

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Release Date:
10/16/2014