SunPulse Electric 
Solar Electrical Generator
- The SunPulse Electric in the Solar Testfield of Tamera, Portugal.
Concept
The SunPulse Electric is the core element of a decentralized autonomous energy system. It is an innovative low-temperature Stirling engine, which transforms heat energy to mechanical and electrical energy. In conjunction with a solar-heated hot oil system (see EPG) or pressurized hot water storage system it can provide energy day and night. Energy storage is thereby solved in a fundamentally different way than in established solar technologies, which often work with environmentally problematic storage materials. Local production ensures that wealth is cycled into the local economy, and that the knowledge and skills needed to use, maintain and develop the system are locally present.
The solar-thermal system costs approximately half as much as a photovoltaic/electrochemical battery system.
Applications
The numerous applications of the SunPulse Electric include:
- Delivering mechanical energy to drive, grain mills or mechanical power tools etc.
- Generating electrical energy up to 1.5kW for lighting, communication, hospitals, schools etc.
- Cooling, by direct coupling with either a standard refrigeration compressor or with a reverse Stirling engine.
- Stand-alone power system. The energy requirements of the SunPulse Electric can be met with high efficiency solar collectors such as vacuum tube collectors. In a closed system at a pressure of 5 bars, water can be heated to over 150 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for the SunPulse Electric. In combination with a heat storage tank, this forms a compact stand-alone power generation system.
Technical Details
- Working Fluid: Air.
- Internal Pressure: Close to atmospheric pressure.
- Cylinder: Diameter 2 m, height 50 cm.
- Temperature of hot side: 150ºC or greater. Delivered either by solar collectors at water pressure of 5 bar, or by vegetable oil at 200ºC from an EPG (see product description of EPG) or other concentrating optical systems such as Sunvention’s pneumatic fixed focus mirror.
- Cooling: Simultaneous water pumping and cooling (integrated pump).
- Electrical Power Output: 1.5kW
- Estimated Working Lifetime: 30 years
- Tested in over 1000 hours of operation, including at the Solar Testfield of Tamera, Portugal
The SunPulse Electric in the Solar Testfield of Tamera, Portugal. In the background the Energy Power Greenhouse EPG.