The NASA applications for a Stirling power conversion system having higher efficiency and higher power density are long duration missions far from the sun, and missions in hostile environments and other cases where photovoltaic systems cannot meet the power generation requirements.
One potential commercial application for a more efficient and lighter weight Stirling power conversion system is large scale renewable power generation using solar thermal energy input. Another potential application is residential and small commercial CHP (combined heat and power) systems using a range of energy sources from geothermal to solar to biofuels and other renewable hydrocarbon fuel sources, as well as non-renewable energy sources such as natural gas. Stirling CHP power systems can also be used directly or with a modified design to meet the needs of the military for portable power generation units. Other potential applications include power for electric vehicles and electric power for marine applications, including underwater power generation for which the higher efficiency of our system has substantial benefit.
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