Build my own power station

[Andrew Gabriel]

The Whispergen used a Stirling engine to drive the generator.

They got unexpected interest from the marine sector for boilers on boats which could generate the electricity to power themselves and the boat. The original Whispergen couldn't run without a mains supply, but they produced a module to replace the grid-tie which enabled it to start from a battery, and then generate power to run itself and supply the rest of the boat. Looked like a great idea, but it also went nowhere beyond shipping some early units.

[news]

Yes there was another similar unit along with the whispergen both were Stirling engines as prime movers , the whispergen pistons drove a swash plate which then rotated the alternator. The other (Microgen) used a piston which oscillated past the armature.

AJH

[AnthonyL]

Isn't there some requirement that the coal at the bottom needs to be scooped up to prevent self-ignition? The bulldozers seem to work

24/7.

[Andy Burns]

I seem to remember something along those lines, yes

[rick]

was a lot of noise about CHP units a few years ago ... not sure how they have progressed

[The Natural Philosopher]

They work exceptionally well where the heat to electricity ratio suits.

?g. municipal waste burners in Denmark that power the council flats and have free hot water.

Of course the wind power companies want them closed down, because they represent a source of energy that cant be switched off when the wind is blowing

[Huge]

They haven't. They aren't economic.

[rick]

There was a lot of discussion on something smaller than a Combi boiler ... assume it has not progressed.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Probably not. Along with the solar revolution, the battery revolution, the hydrogen revolution, the smart grid revolution, the wind power revolution the tidal power revolution, the run of river turbine revolution, the biofuel revolution....

Once upon a time a technician made a remark that has stuck with me forever..'If it were that easy, we would all have done it years ago'

And that is a salient point here. The principles of all this 'alternative energy' have been established for years,. And yet no one has made a commercial success ...Trillions have been thrown in, and yet the technology cannot survive without subsidy.

Golly gosh, if it were that easy we would have done it years ago.

[newshound]

+1

I was looking up some CEGB Research Division "glossies" from the 70's and 80's the other day. They did quite a bit of research on wind, geothermal, photovoltaic, and wave power before confirming that they were all miles away from being commercial. Hydro is a no brainer pretty much anywhere there is a suitable water supply. And of course pumped storage is a big winner too.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Around IIRC 1999. I was guest at a convention aimed at bringing advocates of 'alternative energy' together with city banker and fund managers.

There were several interesting power point sessions from various representatives of green leaning oil companies and so on, and I asked a lot of questions....

....When we adjourned for a lunch of soggy vol au vents and flat sparkling wine, a gentleman sat at my table and in a thick German accent he addressed me..

"You unnerstand zis technology ja?" "A little" "So, tell me straight, is there any of this that is making money without government subsidy?"

I thought for a considerable time.

"No".

"Thank you!" He beamed. "I am to London going now, I have been here before. We put money in, the government pays, we try and take a little profit, and the government says you are making too much profit, and we never get our money back. Good bye, and thank you".

[Ash Burton]

Usually CHP schemes require 'high' cap ex and a lot of maintenance.

Some CHP schemes did seem to be viable on paper but long payback periods and de-industrialisation put paid to widespread take up.

[newshound]

:-)

[rick]