The Solar Thermal Engines installed by OEC at Solar Energy Center, Gurgaon
Solar Energy can be converted to heat and/or electricity using solar thermal or photovoltaic route. There are several methods to generate electricity using solar thermal route. One of the methods is using a combination of solar dish with a stirling engine to produce electricity. Stirling engine is considered to be one of the most efficient heat engines. One of the advantages of using these engines is that no water is required.
OEC is currently working on field performance evaluation of solar thermal dish stirling engine system, developed by a US company. Three units, which generate grid quality AC electricity of 230V, 50 Hz, are installed & operational at the Solar Energy Centre of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy at Gurgaon.
Each engine along with linear alternator is capable of producing up to 3 kW peak power at solar insolation of 850 W/m2. With further R & D, the overall output & efficiency of the solar dish Stirling engines can be enhanced. During no-sun hours, it is possible to use biogas, natural gas or stored heat to get power.
Source:ONGC
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