http://www.worldharmonyorg.net/
太阳能斯特林发动机，保证中国能源独立性
作者：冯忠华博士、中文翻译：林光前
二十四年前，本人在中国上海召开的第二次斯特林发动机国际会议上发表主题
演讲，题为【斯特林发动机在中国未来发展的美好前景】。当时我的身份是美国
斯特林发动机研发伙伴有限公司的主要负责人和中国科学院热物理研究所的访问
顾问。我在演说中宣布，由美国斯特林发动机研发伙伴有限公司负责安排，美国
机械科技股份有限公司的斯特林发动机技术将转让给中国。请参考附上的本人在
斯特林发动机国际会议的讲话稿的封面、上海船用柴油机研究所和美国斯特林发
动机研发伙伴有限公司签订的技术转让协议书。
过去的20多年，全球工程界在斯特林发动机的应用上已经取得长足的进步，
产生了各种新的名称，或被称为热气机或外燃机。后者目的是区别著名的内燃机。
现在，无论深海、地球表面及太空都可看到斯特林发动机的工作踪迹。因为该发
动机从外部加热产生机械动力，使用的燃料，形式或来源几乎无限。可用太阳能、
化石燃料、核燃料，废热和就地取材的各种形式的热能，引起人们的特别兴趣。
总有一天我们会发现，植入人体的人工心脏，用核同位素斯特林发动机搏动，不
需加油或充电。
推动斯特林发动机的最佳外热源，毫无疑问是太阳能。相对传统的内燃机，以
太阳能作为斯特林发动机的动力，其运作原理十分简单，从生态和可再生的角度，
他们是最佳组合。与内燃机相比，斯特林发动机在应用方面可尽量小型化，没有
阀门，不用气化和点火系统，成本最低。工作气体被密封在斯特林发动机里，发
动机汽缸从外部加热。太阳能斯特林发动机绝对不需要传统内燃机的进气和排气
阀门。因此，尽管斯特林发动机机械效率很高，却很简单。最重要的是，由于其
高热能集聚能力，相较太阳能光伏发电板，它更适合大型电力事业。
本文撰写之日，两个最大的太阳能斯特林发动机电力厂仍在建设中。太阳能发
电一厂由美国南加州爱迪生公司在加州莫哈韦沙漠兴建，太阳能发电二厂则由圣
地牙哥燃气和电力公司在南加州皇县兴建。两个项目的功率和设计发电量说明如
下：
一厂规模：50万千瓦（足30万家庭用电），将扩大到85万千瓦。
使用2万－3.4万个碟型斯特林系统
购电合同：20年
厂址在加州巴石头以东的莫哈韦沙漠
二厂规模：30万千瓦，将扩大到90万千瓦。
使用1.2万－3.6万个碟型斯特林系统
购电合同：20年
厂址在南加州皇县
一厂的第一阶段50万千瓦项目，计划2009年底建成投产。投产后，将成为
世界上最大的太阳能公用事业发电厂。问题是，大型太阳能斯特林发电技术如何
及能否好得足以取代现有可再生能源和常规燃料发电厂的技术？“确实好得很！
”答案是响亮的。否则，作为经验丰富的公用事业发电厂的业主，南加州爱迪生
公司和圣地亚哥燃气和电力公司不会急于埋头这两个庞大的项目。在今天原油价
格徘徊于每桶150美元的形势下，两个项目已经没有内幕，而是更轻易地成为他
们的选择。本人在此就他们可能采取的理性推理，试作解释如下。
首先，两个太阳能斯特林发动机项目所采用的称为阳光接收器的技术，光电转
换率达31.25％，保持着太阳能发电技术的最高效世界纪录，是一种高度集聚利用
太阳能的技术，远远超过任何竞争对手。阳光接收器每个高38英尺， 宽40英尺，
能产生25千瓦的电力，意味着它发出的每度电所需空间要比光伏发电少得多。太
阳能光伏发电板占地大、电价高、效率比太阳能斯特林发动机低10 ％，在竞争大
型公用事业供电技术时被取消资格。上述公用事业供电计划小组审查过一个最大
的太阳能光伏发电计划，发现这个8万千瓦能为五万家庭供电的太阳能光伏电厂，
其设计发电量只有上述一厂或二厂发电规模的十分之一。一厂和二厂全部竣工后，
发电量达175万千瓦，相当于两个大型核电厂，能为93万个家庭供电。斯特林发动
机系统的发电量是相同投资规模的光伏发电的5倍。鉴于中国正着手发展一系列的
核电厂，让我们将核电厂和太阳能斯特林发动机发电厂作比较。
由于防核辐射和泄漏的严格监管条例，所有核电厂都必须安置在强化遏制泄漏
的室内。所有的冷、热水循环系统都必须严密保护。因此，核电厂的成本实际上
高于同规模矿物燃料发电厂，建设周期也过长。尽管所有核电厂都设计了安全系
数，机械故障和人为失误仍在所难免。如美国三哩岛意外和俄罗斯的切尔诺贝利
事故就是例子，后果让人无法接受。因目前中国人均电耗不到美国的十分之一，
肯定需要更多电力。有朝一日中国人均耗电量赶上美国，将是一种什么样的前景
呢？
发电需要巨额能量，太阳能斯特林发动机系统在与中国和其它大国选择的核电
厂和可再生能源的优势对比中遥遥领先。加州为斯特林发动机投赞成票更让其声
名鹊起。中国不该观望。三哩岛事故三十多年来，美国一再推迟核电厂的建设，
值得赞扬。有着巨大太阳能潜力的大国如美国、巴西和中国，只需很少核电厂则
可。在中国建30多个核电厂，实乃匪夷所思。先不说成本可怕，即使最为边远的
核电厂熔垮，也是后果不堪设想，不负责任的。 我曾在田纳西谷核电厂销售时任
中国国家核能公司的代表（请见所附我和核能公司的合同） 。三哩岛和切尔诺贝
利的噩梦依然困扰着我。
四川史无前例的大地震发生后，世界上任何地方建设庞大水力发电厂如三峡的
计划，即使不被永远放弃，也有可能被推迟相当长的时间。中小型水电站较容易
被接受。
中国有丰富的水电资源，可继续使用，但须额外加上对生态影响的考虑，以减少伤害海洋生物。为加强应用水电的环保，在此推荐我的间接利用水的小规模专利
水力压缩空气发电技术。我的发明是，水改道经由其所夹带的空气发电，而不经
涡轮，水中加气却不加温，海洋生物不受伤害。因此，本发明的尾水含氧，改善
养殖鱼类生存条件，用于农业灌溉则更清洁、更肥沃。
大核电厂和其他大型可再生能源发电技术，在成本、效率和占地方面的竞争力
均弱，我们再次建议首先选择太阳能斯特林发动机。中国和世界各地的许多地区
阳光灿烂、土地充裕。仅举几例，如中国西部、华南西部和华北地区、美国、巴
西和中东地区等。即使世界各地土著居民遍布的丘陵地区，每个25千瓦的紧凑型
斯特林发动机系统、使用就地取材的能源如太阳能、当地生产的燃料和余热，应
有一个很大的市场。24年前我在第二届国际斯特林发动机会议发表的【斯特林发
动机在中国未来发展的美好前景】一文中，有详细的说明。
斯特林发动机使用普通热能，生产的是可再生能源，规模可大可小，无论城市、
农村、草原、山谷、平原、山地，处处皆可建，在中国的应用无限。它继续给中
国“承诺”一个最美好的未来。
中国是富煤国家，是世界上煤储量最多的国家之一。但许多煤矿工人为此付出
高昂的代价。日益严重的煤矿意外，变得越来越不被社会接受。提高矿工的保护
是唯一有良心的法规，但自然会增加煤炭开采成本。假设中国政府能够在安全和
煤炭开采、运输和其他污染问题之间取得一个和谐平衡，使用煤炭作为大型燃料
源则仍然未可厚非。现在，让我们就煤和太阳能发电作理性的评估。太阳能用于
斯特林发动机，直接、简单、干净、绝对没有污染，加上其免费和可再生等无与
伦比的优点。可以说：阳光当之无愧是“生活中最好的免费东西”。
煤炭作为发电能源，有两种用法。一是在常规炉直接燃烧，在流化床燃烧更完
全些。另一种是将煤液化或气化。然则无论哪种方式，煤炭都必须先行清洁处理，
洗煤的废水和废料的处置始终是个麻烦，也会增加巨额成本。说的难听一点，我
们只是让二氧化碳污染的排放推后而已。
太阳能斯特林发动机的无污染和可再生是不争的事实。此外，其最大优势是，
发动机维修率低，短期内回收投资。太阳能斯特林发动机不象柴油机和蒸汽轮机，
无需许多额外辅件。在太阳能斯特林发动机工作的流体永久密封。引擎在设计寿
命期内不必更换或处理。相对蒸汽轮机的锅炉和柴油发动机的燃烧室，其没完没
了的保养和维修大大增加业者的经营成本。再者，不论锅炉蒸汽机还是柴油引擎，
排气系统所造成的污染早已恶名昭著，毋庸赘述。
归根结底，不论是国家政策还是地方措施，能源越是独立，成本越低，污染越
少，环境越美。不论站在任何立场，选择使用太阳能斯特林发动机，改进能源的
独立性，都是最可行的解决方案。本建议基于本人40多年作为政府及私营企业节
能工程师的经验而提出，拳拳之心，唯天可表。中国正处于现代化建设非常关键
的阶段，科学发展观要求人与自然和谐，整个社会需要与世界和谐。
中国作为一个崛起复兴中的大国，正扮演一个负责任大国的角色，我们有必要
在可再生能源的政策上给世人树立一个榜样。对于我们在此表述的太阳能发动机
充分明显的优点，如不将其作为中国独立能源政策的主要部分纳入考虑，实在不
合情理。如蒙邀请，我们将很乐意和有关能源决策机构及省市领导讨论这一议题。
一份斯特林发动机发电厂的项目建议书内容提要，函索可供。
为能源的独立性，加油！
世界和谐组织的绿色能源委员会
太阳能斯特林发动机伙伴公司
总召集：冯忠华博士
中文翻译：世界和谐组织理事林光前
2008年7月
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
Exactly two decades and four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. At the time, I was General partner of the US Stirling Engine R and D Partnership (STRD Partnership) and a visiting consultant to Institute of Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In my speech, I announced the technology transfer of Stirling Engine technology from US Mechanical Technology Inc. to China, arranged by the US STRD Partnership. For reference, see the attached titled pages of the Stirling Engine Conference and the Agreement between Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute (SMDERI) and STRD Partnership.
In the lapse of two decades great strides have been made by the world engineering communities in the applications of Stirling Engines, which variously has been also called hot gas engines or external heat engines. The last name is to distinguish it from the well known internal combustion engine. It can be said Stirling Engines now can be found working under Deep Ocean to the earth surface and out to space. Because its mechanical power is derived from external heating, its use of fuel is unlimited in form or source. Of particular interest we can mention solar heat, fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, waste and all forms of indigenous heat. Last but not least, one day we may find implanted nuclear isotope Stirling Engines in human bodies powering artificial hearts without the need for refueling or recharging.
The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. With solar heat as available power because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine operating principle compared to the conventional internal combustion engine this is a winning combination from ecological and renewable energy considerations. In this application, the Stirling Engines can be miniaturized, sans intake and exhaust valves and cost minimized without the need for injection carburetion and ignition systems compared to internal combustion engines. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. In a solar powered Stirling Engine there is absolutely no need for intake and exhaust valves as in conventional internal combustion engines. Thus mechanically high efficiency Stirling Engines are still very simple. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. Following are descriptions and designed power capacities of the two projects.
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
The Solar One project site is located in San Bernardino County in an undeveloped area of the Mojave Desert.
SOLAR TWO PROJECT, Capacity: 300 MW with expansion options to 900 MW
12,000 - 36,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Imperial Valley near El Centro, CA
The project site for Solar Two is located in Imperial County in Southern California.
The first 500 MW phase of Project One is planned to go into service by the end of 2009. Once in service, this will become the largest solar powered utility plant in the world. The question is then, how well does large Solar powered Stirling Engine utility plant stacks up against the current technology of both renewable and conventional fueled utility plants? The answer is a resounding “very well indeed”. Otherwise Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric as experienced utility plant owners as they are, will not rush head long into these two huge projects. Without becoming an insider of the two projects, one can still easily arrived at their choices at today’s oil price hovering at US$ 150 a barrel. Here is my take on how their overview rational reasoning may go like as explained in the following.
First and foremost, the solar Stirling Engine technology being used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor by far. Each SunCatcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels power to power. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low 10% efficient, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with solar Stirling Engine. A check of the largest solar voltaic panel utility planned by these utilities, uncovered a plan for 80 MW to supply electricity for 50,000 homes. This planed design is only one tenth in capacity of Project One or Project Two. Project One and Two when go into full service will provide 1750 MW electricity total for 930,000 homes. These each of these Stirling Engine utility plant is thus 10 times larger than the largest photo voltaic plants planned by the same utility owners. This large capacity is equivalent to two large size Nuclear Power Plants. Since we are now at the range of Nuclear Power plant utilities, let us compare nuclear and solar Stirling Engine power plants.
Because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks, all nuclear power plants must be housed in fortified containment housing. All systems of hot and cooling water circulations must be heavily protected. So the cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than equivalent fossil fuel power plants. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept. The need for more electricity in China is expected. Currently the per capital consumption of electricity in China is less than one tenth of the US. What if the China per capita consumption eventually catches up with the US?
For sheer amount of enormous energy needed for electricity generation , Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over nuclear and other renewable energy choices in China and other large countries. California has voted for Stirling Engines and moving ahead. China should not wait either. Since Three Mile Island accident, for over thirty years, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is to be commended. Large countries like US, Brazil, China with enormous solar power availability have little need for nuclear power plants. Formidable Cost and even the most remote possibility of nuclear melt down, makes the good ahead of 30 more nuclear power plants in China unthinkable and irresponsible. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants ( See attached pages of my contract with CE). The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever.
China is rich in hydropower resources. Its use will continue, but extra ecological consideration must be exercised to reduce harm to marine life. For enhanced environmentally friendly hydropower applications, I recommend my patented hydraulic air compressor electric generator technology for indirect, small scale use of hydro power. In my invention applications, water is only diverted through the air entrainment unit and does not go through the generator turbines, so marine life is not harmed, and the water is aerated but not heated. Thus the tail water of my invention is oxygenated for improved fish farming and cleaner and richer irrigation.
With concerns over nuclear power plants and other large renewable energy electric generation technologies less competitive from the consideration of cost, efficiency and space requirement, we again is left with Solar Stirling Engine as the commanding choice. There are too many regions in China and the world where sunshine and space are ample, such as Western, South Western, Northern China, US, Brazil and the Middle East to name a few. Even in indigenous hilly areas all over the world, the compact Stirling Engine System of 25 KW each, has a big market in the form of appropriate energy technology using solar, and available fuel and waste heat. This was detailed in my aforementioned paper “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China” delivered 24 years ago at the Second International Stirling Engine Conference. The application of Stirling Engine Systems in China is unlimited, renewable or conventional heat, large and small, urban and rural, in the prairies and the valleys, in the flatlands or the mountains the word “Promising” is still most appropriate for Stirling Engines future in China.
China is also rich in coal. She has one of the largest reserves in the world. But coal miners pay a high price with their life. Increasingly high rate of accidents will become more and more unacceptable to the society. The only conscientious regulation is to increase protection of the miners. This will of course increase the cost of coal mining. Assuming that the Chinese government can maintain a harmonious balance between safety and coal mining, the transportation and other pollution problems of using coal as a large source of fuel still abound. Let us now make a rational overview assessment of coal and solar energy for electricity generation. Solar energy as employed by Stirling Engine Systems is direct, simple, clean and absolutely no pollution, as well as its outstanding free and renewable merits. It is befitting to say “The best things in life are free”. Sunshine is the most beloved.
As a source of energy for electricity generation there are two ways to use coal. One is direct burning in conventional furnace or fluidized bed for more complete combustion. The other is to liquefy or gasify coal for example. Either way, the coal must still be scrubbed and cleaned and the treatment of the cleaning fluid remains always a problem in disposal. This will increase the cost tremendously and the cleaning and scrubbing continues in the conversion process. On course, not to mention, we are only postponing the CO2 pollution emission to a later stage.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working fluid is permanent and hermetically sealed. There is on replacement or treatment necessary in the life cycle of the engine. In the case of steam engine boiler and the combustion chamber of the internal combustion diesel engine constant maintenance and treatment of boiler and combustion chamber increases greatly the cost of operation. Of course, both steam engine with boilers and diesel engines pollute through their exhaust systems as well known.
In conclusion, as a national and local policy to become more energy independent, to reduce environmental pollution, to practice conservation and to reduce cost of operation all points to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. This recommendation is based on my over five decades of experience as a practitioner of energy conservation engineer in government as well as private industries. China and most of the developing world are at a very critical stage of modernization. The important policy of scientific development calls for harmony with nature, within the society and world harmony. To play a responsible role as a rising and renaissance major nation China must set an example in her renewable energy policy. With the ample evident merits as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of China’s energy independent policy is unconscionable. Your humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant energy implementation department and provincial heads. An Executive Summary of Stirling Engine Concept Proposal is available by request.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
A Commission of World Harmony Organization
Capacity: 500 MW with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
Phase 1 of this project is to develop 500 MW of electricity generating capacity, which will then be followed by Phase 2, which will involve an expansion up to 850 MW of generating capacity.
Power output from this facility will be sold in accordance with a 20-year power purchase agreement to Southern California Edison Company (www.sce.com), a subsidiary of Edison International.
The project site for Solar Two is located in Imperial County in Southern
Capacity: 300 MW with expansion options to 900 MW
12,000 - 36,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Phase 1 of this site will consist of 12,000 solar dish Stirling systems that will be capable of generating 300 MW of electrical power. Phase 2 of this will expand the number of solar dish Stirling systems to 36,000 units, which will be capable of generating up to 900 MW of power.
The power generated at this site will be sold in accordance with a 20-year power purchase agreement to San Diego Gas & Electric (www.sdge.com).
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
Exactly two decades and four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. At the time, I was General partner of the US Stirling Engine R and D Partnership (STRD Partnership) and a visiting consultant to Institute of Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In my speech, I announced the technology transfer of Stirling Engine technology from US Mechanical Technology Inc. to China, arranged by the US STRD Partnership. For reference, see the attached titled pages of the Stirling Engine Conference and the Agreement between Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute (SMDERI) and STRD Partnership.
In the lapse of two decades great strides have been made by the world engineering communities in the applications of Stirling Engines, which variously has been also called hot gas engines or external heat engines. The last name is to distinguish it from the well known internal combustion engine. It can be said Stirling Engines now can be found working under Deep Ocean to the earth surface and out to space. Because its mechanical power is derived from external heating, its use of fuel is unlimited in form or source. Of particular interest we can mention solar heat, fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, waste and all forms of indigenous heat. Last but not least, one day we may find implanted nuclear isotope Stirling Engines in human bodies powering artificial hearts without the need for refueling or recharging.
The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. With solar heat as available power because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine operating principle compared to the conventional internal combustion engine this is a winning combination from ecological and renewable energy considerations. In this application, the Stirling Engines can be miniaturized, sans intake and exhaust valves and cost minimized without the need for injection carburetion and ignition systems compared to internal combustion engines. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. In a solar powered Stirling Engine there is absolutely no need for intake and exhaust valves as in conventional internal combustion engines. Thus mechanically high efficiency Stirling Engines are still very simple. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. Following are descriptions and designed power capacities of the two projects.
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
The Solar One project site is located in San Bernardino County in an undeveloped area of the Mojave Desert.
SOLAR TWO PROJECT, Capacity: 300 MW with expansion options to 900 MW
12,000 - 36,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Imperial Valley near El Centro, CA
The project site for Solar Two is located in Imperial County in Southern California.
The first 500 MW phase of Project One is planned to go into service by the end of 2009. Once in service, this will become the largest solar powered utility plant in the world. The question is then, how well does large Solar powered Stirling Engine utility plant stacks up against the current technology of both renewable and conventional fueled utility plants? The answer is a resounding “very well indeed”. Otherwise Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric as experienced utility plant owners as they are, will not rush head long into these two huge projects. Without becoming an insider of the two projects, one can still easily arrived at their choices at today’s oil price hovering at US$ 150 a barrel. Here is my take on how their overview rational reasoning may go like as explained in the following.
First and foremost, the solar Stirling Engine technology being used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor by far. Each SunCatcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels power to power. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low 10% efficient, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with solar Stirling Engine. A check of the largest solar voltaic panel utility planned by these utilities, uncovered a plan for 80 MW to supply electricity for 50,000 homes. This planed design is only one tenth in capacity of Project One or Project Two. Project One and Two when go into full service will provide 1750 MW electricity total for 930,000 homes. These each of these Stirling Engine utility plant is thus 10 times larger than the largest photo voltaic plants planned by the same utility owners. This large capacity is equivalent to two large size Nuclear Power Plants. Since we are now at the range of Nuclear Power plant utilities, let us compare nuclear and solar Stirling Engine power plants.
Because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks, all nuclear power plants must be housed in fortified containment housing. All systems of hot and cooling water circulations must be heavily protected. So the cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than equivalent fossil fuel power plants. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept. The need for more electricity in China is expected. Currently the per capital consumption of electricity in China is less than one tenth of the US. What if the China per capita consumption eventually catches up with the US?
For sheer amount of enormous energy needed for electricity generation , Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over nuclear and other renewable energy choices in China and other large countries. California has voted for Stirling Engines and moving ahead. China should not wait either. Since Three Mile Island accident, for over thirty years, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is to be commended. Large countries like US, Brazil, China with enormous solar power availability have little need for nuclear power plants. Formidable Cost and even the most remote possibility of nuclear melt down, makes the good ahead of 30 more nuclear power plants in China unthinkable and irresponsible. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants ( See attached pages of my contract with CE). The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever.
China is rich in hydropower resources. Its use will continue, but extra ecological consideration must be exercised to reduce harm to marine life. For enhanced environmentally friendly hydropower applications, I recommend my patented hydraulic air compressor electric generator technology for indirect, small scale use of hydro power. In my invention applications, water is only diverted through the air entrainment unit and does not go through the generator turbines, so marine life is not harmed, and the water is aerated but not heated. Thus the tail water of my invention is oxygenated for improved fish farming and cleaner and richer irrigation.
With concerns over nuclear power plants and other large renewable energy electric generation technologies less competitive from the consideration of cost, efficiency and space requirement, we again is left with Solar Stirling Engine as the commanding choice. There are too many regions in China and the world where sunshine and space are ample, such as Western, South Western, Northern China, US, Brazil and the Middle East to name a few. Even in indigenous hilly areas all over the world, the compact Stirling Engine System of 25 KW each, has a big market in the form of appropriate energy technology using solar, and available fuel and waste heat. This was detailed in my aforementioned paper “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China” delivered 24 years ago at the Second International Stirling Engine Conference. The application of Stirling Engine Systems in China is unlimited, renewable or conventional heat, large and small, urban and rural, in the prairies and the valleys, in the flatlands or the mountains the word “Promising” is still most appropriate for Stirling Engines future in China.
China is also rich in coal. She has one of the largest reserves in the world. But coal miners pay a high price with their life. Increasingly high rate of accidents will become more and more unacceptable to the society. The only conscientious regulation is to increase protection of the miners. This will of course increase the cost of coal mining. Assuming that the Chinese government can maintain a harmonious balance between safety and coal mining, the transportation and other pollution problems of using coal as a large source of fuel still abound. Let us now make a rational overview assessment of coal and solar energy for electricity generation. Solar energy as employed by Stirling Engine Systems is direct, simple, clean and absolutely no pollution, as well as its outstanding free and renewable merits. It is befitting to say “The best things in life are free”. Sunshine is the most beloved.
As a source of energy for electricity generation there are two ways to use coal. One is direct burning in conventional furnace or fluidized bed for more complete combustion. The other is to liquefy or gasify coal for example. Either way, the coal must still be scrubbed and cleaned and the treatment of the cleaning fluid remains always a problem in disposal. This will increase the cost tremendously and the cleaning and scrubbing continues in the conversion process. On course, not to mention, we are only postponing the CO2 pollution emission to a later stage.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working fluid is permanent and hermetically sealed. There is on replacement or treatment necessary in the life cycle of the engine. In the case of steam engine boiler and the combustion chamber of the internal combustion diesel engine constant maintenance and treatment of boiler and combustion chamber increases greatly the cost of operation. Of course, both steam engine with boilers and diesel engines pollute through their exhaust systems as well known.
In conclusion, as a national and local policy to become more energy independent, to reduce environmental pollution, to practice conservation and to reduce cost of operation all points to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. This recommendation is based on my over five decades of experience as a practitioner of energy conservation engineer in government as well as private industries. China and most of the developing world are at a very critical stage of modernization. The important policy of scientific development calls for harmony with nature, within the society and world harmony. To play a responsible role as a rising and renaissance major nation China must set an example in her renewable energy policy. With the ample evident merits as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of China’s energy independent policy is unconscionable. Your humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant energy implementation department and provincial heads. An Executive Summary of Stirling Engine Concept Proposal is available by request.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
A Commission of World Harmony Organization
Capacity: 500 MW with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
Phase 1 of this project is to develop 500 MW of electricity generating capacity, which will then be followed by Phase 2, which will involve an expansion up to 850 MW of generating capacity.
Power output from this facility will be sold in accordance with a 20-year power purchase agreement to Southern California Edison Company (www.sce.com), a subsidiary of Edison International.
The project site for Solar Two is located in Imperial County in Southern
Capacity: 300 MW with expansion options to 900 MW
12,000 - 36,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Phase 1 of this site will consist of 12,000 solar dish Stirling systems that will be capable of generating 300 MW of electrical power. Phase 2 of this will expand the number of solar dish Stirling systems to 36,000 units, which will be capable of generating up to 900 MW of power.
The power generated at this site will be sold in accordance with a 20-year power purchase agreement to San Diego Gas & Electric (www.sdge.com).
绿色能源取代核燃料和矿物燃料发电的倡议
绿色能源取代核燃料和矿物燃料发电的倡议
www.worldharmonyorg.net
作者：冯忠华博士，中文翻译：林光前
2008年7月18日
2008年7月17日，美国前副总统戈尔发表重要演讲。目的是适时通告一项重要的有关美国能源独立性的公民立法创议权，倡议十年内，即到2018年，将所有美国的电力生产转换成绿色能源。该倡议是明智之举，令人钦佩。然则它现实吗？能否实现？如何实现？目前美国发电使用的能源，70％为矿物燃料，20％为核燃料，只有10 ％太阳能、水力、风力和其他形式的可再生能源。本人的答案是，这一雄心勃勃的目标是可以实现的。只要国家采取行动，努力协调，一致支持太阳能斯特林发动机(外燃机)的发展计划，就能逐步取代现有或大或小的矿物燃料发电厂。蒸汽机是19世纪的象征，内燃机是20世纪的代表，斯特林发动机(外燃机)则是21世纪的骄傲。任何形式的热能都能从外部驱动，包括太阳能、燃气、固体燃料、液态燃料、废热和地热。只要是热能，斯特林发动机(外燃机)无所不食。
美国是一个拥有庞大资源兼具奋斗精神的国家。只要看看我们在第二次世界大战期间压倒性的飞机制造能力，可见一斑。半世纪后的今天，世上依然没有国家 能及。将这种资源和精神用于绿色能源发电的开发，定能圆满成功。绿色能源发电政策使美国在太阳能斯特林系统的制造上遥遥领先，无人赶上。开发宣传绿色能源发电，势必使我们成为最大的能源技术和斯特林发动机出口大国，创造世界上绿色能源技术和产品出口的历史。绿色能源技术和产品的潜在市场，加上我们大幅减少石油进口，则我们的贸易赤字可减少一半以上。美国极需一个象戈尔一样有抱负、有使命感的总统。
二十四年前，本人在中国上海召开的第二次斯特林发动机国际会议上发表主题演讲，题为【斯特林发动机在中国未来发展的美好前景】，并将美国斯特林发动机(外燃机)技术转移给中国。当时的构想是，让中国将这种体积小的太阳能斯特林发动机作为生产可再生能源的技术，在全国范围部署。推动斯特林发动机的最佳外热源，毫无疑问是太阳能。相对传统内燃机，以太阳能作为斯特林发动机的动力，其运作原理十分简单，从生态和可再生的角度，他们是最佳组合。与内燃机相比，斯特林发动机在应用方面可尽量小型化，没有阀门，不用气化和点火系统，生产成本最低。工作气体被密封在斯特林发动机里，发动机汽缸从外部加热。太阳能斯特林发动机绝对不需要传统内燃机的进气和排气阀门。因此，尽管斯特林发动机机械效率很高，却很简单，维修费用极微。最重要的是其高热能集聚能力，相较太阳能光伏发电板，它更适合大型电力事业。作为替代公用事业发电，同一发电规模的太阳能光伏发电板效率过低，成本过高，占地过多。
本文撰写之日，两个最大的太阳能斯特林发动机电力厂仍在建设中，他们是南加州爱迪生公司在加州莫哈韦沙漠兴建的太阳能发电一厂和圣地牙哥燃气和电力公司在南加州皇县兴建的太阳能发电二厂。两个项目的设计发电量加起来共175万千瓦，等于两个大型核电厂。
太阳能斯特林发动机是如何与核电厂匹敌的？两个太阳能斯特林发动机项目所采用的技术称为阳光接收器，是一种高度集聚利用太阳能的技术，光电转换率达31.25％，保持着太阳能发电技术的最高效世界纪录，远远超过任何竞争对手，发电成本只有光伏发电的五分之一甚至十分之一。每座阳光接收器高38英尺，宽40英尺，能生产25千瓦的电力。意味着它发出的每千瓦电所需空间要比光伏发电少得多。太阳能光伏发电板占地大、电价高、效率低，在与斯特林发动机系统竞争大型公用事业供电技术时被取消资格。
由于防核辐射和泄漏的严格监管条例，所有核电厂都必须安置在强化遏制泄漏的室内。所有的冷、热水循环系统都必须严密保护。因此，核电厂的成本实际上高于同规模矿物燃料发电厂，建设周期也过长。尽管所有核电厂都设计了安全系数，机械故障和人为失误仍在所难免。如美国三哩岛意外和俄罗斯的切尔诺贝利事故就是例子，后果让人无法接受。
发电需要巨额能量，太阳能斯特林发动机系统在与中国和其它大国选择的核能和可再生能源的优势对比中遥遥领先。加州为斯特林发动机投赞成票更让其声名鹊起。我们不该观望。三哩岛事故三十多年来，美国一再推迟核电厂的建设，值得赞扬。我曾在田纳西谷核电厂销售时任中国国家核能公司的代表（请见所附我和核能公司的合同） 。三哩岛和切尔诺贝利的噩梦依然困扰着我。
四川史无前例的大地震发生后，世界上任何地方建设庞大水力发电厂如三峡的计划，即使不被永远放弃，也有可能被推迟相当长的时间。只有中小型水电站安全可行，能被接受。
太阳能斯特林发动机的无污染和可再生是不争的事实。此外，其最大优势是，发动机维修率低，短期内可回收投资。太阳能斯特林发动机不象柴油机和蒸汽轮机，无需许多额外辅件。在太阳能斯特林发动机工作的流体永久密封。引擎在设计寿命期内不必更换或处理。相对蒸汽轮机的锅炉和柴油发动机的燃烧室，其没完没了的保养和维修大大增加业者的经营成本。再者，不论锅炉蒸汽机还是柴油引擎，排气系统所造成的污染早已恶名昭著，毋庸赘述。没有核电厂是永久性的。老旧核电厂终有拆除之日，安全从未得到适当解决。
归根结底，不论是国家政策还是地方措施。减少环境的污染、让地球摆脱长期核辐射还是减少国家的财政负担，不论为的是上述哪一点，选择使用太阳能斯特林发动机，都是最可行的解决方案。
大型斯特林发动机发电厂可用小单位模块逐步扩大。他们的光电效率比太阳能光伏发电板高得多。建议选择使用斯特林发动机为绿色能源发电的政策，是基于我作为一个有20多年经验的国际太阳能斯特林发动机技术转让专家。1970年代，美国石油的24％需进口，1990年代为42％，今天，石油的70％需进口。交易额达惊人的7,000亿美元之谱。增加的趋势、沉重的负担，绝对不可持续下去。
我们必须坚定地支持戈尔，把他主张的绿色能源政策作为国家的优先事项。美国作为世界领袖，在可再生能源政策上必须以身作则，扮演一个负责任的角色。其他主要的矿物燃料消费国如中国、印度、印度尼西亚和巴西将不可避免地跟进。对于我们在此表述的太阳能发动机充分明显的优点，如不将其作为美国绿色能源发电政策的当务之急纳入考虑，实在不合情理。再说，财务上美国将成为世界历史上能源技术转移的最大受益人。
事实上，美国太阳能斯特林发动机技术早已成熟。美国绿色能源发电政策使太阳能斯特林系统在制造上遥遥领先，世界无人能及。太阳能斯特林发动机系统的出口潜力，除满足世界其余地区的迫切需要，将极大地刺激美国低迷的经济。加上减少石油进口，美国的贸易赤字的逆转将指日可待。总之，减少石油进口加上世界追随我们的绿色能源政策，石油价格的投机行为毫无疑问将立即停止。世界绿色能源发电政策一经协调，石油价格应声下跌一半以上将不足为奇。绿色能源发电势在必行，我们的下任总统必须表现其远见卓识的领导才能，赞同戈尔的主张，并将其作为我们的能源独立政策。如蒙邀请，我们将很乐意和国家能源决策机构及当地政府首脑共同讨论这一议题。
为了绿色能源发电政策，加油！
太阳能斯特林发动机伙伴公司
总召集：冯忠华博士
中文翻译：林光前
参考图片：
南加州斯特林发动机发电一厂
Ø 规模：50万千瓦，可扩建到85万千瓦
Ø 2万－3.4万个碟型太阳能斯特林发动机系统
Ø 20年购电合同
本项目第一阶段开发50万千瓦总发电量，接着发展第二期，总发电量扩大到85万千瓦。
本发电厂所发电力的销售是根据爱迪生国际公司的子公司南加州爱迪生公司签订的一份20年购电合同。
布什总统参观建筑中的太阳能斯特林发动机系统
www.worldharmonyorg.net
作者：冯忠华博士，中文翻译：林光前
2008年7月18日
2008年7月17日，美国前副总统戈尔发表重要演讲。目的是适时通告一项重要的有关美国能源独立性的公民立法创议权，倡议十年内，即到2018年，将所有美国的电力生产转换成绿色能源。该倡议是明智之举，令人钦佩。然则它现实吗？能否实现？如何实现？目前美国发电使用的能源，70％为矿物燃料，20％为核燃料，只有10 ％太阳能、水力、风力和其他形式的可再生能源。本人的答案是，这一雄心勃勃的目标是可以实现的。只要国家采取行动，努力协调，一致支持太阳能斯特林发动机(外燃机)的发展计划，就能逐步取代现有或大或小的矿物燃料发电厂。蒸汽机是19世纪的象征，内燃机是20世纪的代表，斯特林发动机(外燃机)则是21世纪的骄傲。任何形式的热能都能从外部驱动，包括太阳能、燃气、固体燃料、液态燃料、废热和地热。只要是热能，斯特林发动机(外燃机)无所不食。
美国是一个拥有庞大资源兼具奋斗精神的国家。只要看看我们在第二次世界大战期间压倒性的飞机制造能力，可见一斑。半世纪后的今天，世上依然没有国家 能及。将这种资源和精神用于绿色能源发电的开发，定能圆满成功。绿色能源发电政策使美国在太阳能斯特林系统的制造上遥遥领先，无人赶上。开发宣传绿色能源发电，势必使我们成为最大的能源技术和斯特林发动机出口大国，创造世界上绿色能源技术和产品出口的历史。绿色能源技术和产品的潜在市场，加上我们大幅减少石油进口，则我们的贸易赤字可减少一半以上。美国极需一个象戈尔一样有抱负、有使命感的总统。
二十四年前，本人在中国上海召开的第二次斯特林发动机国际会议上发表主题演讲，题为【斯特林发动机在中国未来发展的美好前景】，并将美国斯特林发动机(外燃机)技术转移给中国。当时的构想是，让中国将这种体积小的太阳能斯特林发动机作为生产可再生能源的技术，在全国范围部署。推动斯特林发动机的最佳外热源，毫无疑问是太阳能。相对传统内燃机，以太阳能作为斯特林发动机的动力，其运作原理十分简单，从生态和可再生的角度，他们是最佳组合。与内燃机相比，斯特林发动机在应用方面可尽量小型化，没有阀门，不用气化和点火系统，生产成本最低。工作气体被密封在斯特林发动机里，发动机汽缸从外部加热。太阳能斯特林发动机绝对不需要传统内燃机的进气和排气阀门。因此，尽管斯特林发动机机械效率很高，却很简单，维修费用极微。最重要的是其高热能集聚能力，相较太阳能光伏发电板，它更适合大型电力事业。作为替代公用事业发电，同一发电规模的太阳能光伏发电板效率过低，成本过高，占地过多。
本文撰写之日，两个最大的太阳能斯特林发动机电力厂仍在建设中，他们是南加州爱迪生公司在加州莫哈韦沙漠兴建的太阳能发电一厂和圣地牙哥燃气和电力公司在南加州皇县兴建的太阳能发电二厂。两个项目的设计发电量加起来共175万千瓦，等于两个大型核电厂。
太阳能斯特林发动机是如何与核电厂匹敌的？两个太阳能斯特林发动机项目所采用的技术称为阳光接收器，是一种高度集聚利用太阳能的技术，光电转换率达31.25％，保持着太阳能发电技术的最高效世界纪录，远远超过任何竞争对手，发电成本只有光伏发电的五分之一甚至十分之一。每座阳光接收器高38英尺，宽40英尺，能生产25千瓦的电力。意味着它发出的每千瓦电所需空间要比光伏发电少得多。太阳能光伏发电板占地大、电价高、效率低，在与斯特林发动机系统竞争大型公用事业供电技术时被取消资格。
由于防核辐射和泄漏的严格监管条例，所有核电厂都必须安置在强化遏制泄漏的室内。所有的冷、热水循环系统都必须严密保护。因此，核电厂的成本实际上高于同规模矿物燃料发电厂，建设周期也过长。尽管所有核电厂都设计了安全系数，机械故障和人为失误仍在所难免。如美国三哩岛意外和俄罗斯的切尔诺贝利事故就是例子，后果让人无法接受。
发电需要巨额能量，太阳能斯特林发动机系统在与中国和其它大国选择的核能和可再生能源的优势对比中遥遥领先。加州为斯特林发动机投赞成票更让其声名鹊起。我们不该观望。三哩岛事故三十多年来，美国一再推迟核电厂的建设，值得赞扬。我曾在田纳西谷核电厂销售时任中国国家核能公司的代表（请见所附我和核能公司的合同） 。三哩岛和切尔诺贝利的噩梦依然困扰着我。
四川史无前例的大地震发生后，世界上任何地方建设庞大水力发电厂如三峡的计划，即使不被永远放弃，也有可能被推迟相当长的时间。只有中小型水电站安全可行，能被接受。
太阳能斯特林发动机的无污染和可再生是不争的事实。此外，其最大优势是，发动机维修率低，短期内可回收投资。太阳能斯特林发动机不象柴油机和蒸汽轮机，无需许多额外辅件。在太阳能斯特林发动机工作的流体永久密封。引擎在设计寿命期内不必更换或处理。相对蒸汽轮机的锅炉和柴油发动机的燃烧室，其没完没了的保养和维修大大增加业者的经营成本。再者，不论锅炉蒸汽机还是柴油引擎，排气系统所造成的污染早已恶名昭著，毋庸赘述。没有核电厂是永久性的。老旧核电厂终有拆除之日，安全从未得到适当解决。
归根结底，不论是国家政策还是地方措施。减少环境的污染、让地球摆脱长期核辐射还是减少国家的财政负担，不论为的是上述哪一点，选择使用太阳能斯特林发动机，都是最可行的解决方案。
大型斯特林发动机发电厂可用小单位模块逐步扩大。他们的光电效率比太阳能光伏发电板高得多。建议选择使用斯特林发动机为绿色能源发电的政策，是基于我作为一个有20多年经验的国际太阳能斯特林发动机技术转让专家。1970年代，美国石油的24％需进口，1990年代为42％，今天，石油的70％需进口。交易额达惊人的7,000亿美元之谱。增加的趋势、沉重的负担，绝对不可持续下去。
我们必须坚定地支持戈尔，把他主张的绿色能源政策作为国家的优先事项。美国作为世界领袖，在可再生能源政策上必须以身作则，扮演一个负责任的角色。其他主要的矿物燃料消费国如中国、印度、印度尼西亚和巴西将不可避免地跟进。对于我们在此表述的太阳能发动机充分明显的优点，如不将其作为美国绿色能源发电政策的当务之急纳入考虑，实在不合情理。再说，财务上美国将成为世界历史上能源技术转移的最大受益人。
事实上，美国太阳能斯特林发动机技术早已成熟。美国绿色能源发电政策使太阳能斯特林系统在制造上遥遥领先，世界无人能及。太阳能斯特林发动机系统的出口潜力，除满足世界其余地区的迫切需要，将极大地刺激美国低迷的经济。加上减少石油进口，美国的贸易赤字的逆转将指日可待。总之，减少石油进口加上世界追随我们的绿色能源政策，石油价格的投机行为毫无疑问将立即停止。世界绿色能源发电政策一经协调，石油价格应声下跌一半以上将不足为奇。绿色能源发电势在必行，我们的下任总统必须表现其远见卓识的领导才能，赞同戈尔的主张，并将其作为我们的能源独立政策。如蒙邀请，我们将很乐意和国家能源决策机构及当地政府首脑共同讨论这一议题。
为了绿色能源发电政策，加油！
太阳能斯特林发动机伙伴公司
总召集：冯忠华博士
中文翻译：林光前
参考图片：
南加州斯特林发动机发电一厂
Ø 规模：50万千瓦，可扩建到85万千瓦
Ø 2万－3.4万个碟型太阳能斯特林发动机系统
Ø 20年购电合同
本项目第一阶段开发50万千瓦总发电量，接着发展第二期，总发电量扩大到85万千瓦。
本发电厂所发电力的销售是根据爱迪生国际公司的子公司南加州爱迪生公司签订的一份20年购电合同。
布什总统参观建筑中的太阳能斯特林发动机系统
GREEN ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE (GENEI)
GREEN ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE (GENEI)
ALTERNATIVE TO NUCLEAR AND FOSSIL ENERGY
http://www.worldharmonyorg.net/
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
July 18, 2008
On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President, made an important US energy independent announcement. The main theme was to announce the timely and important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green energy in a decade, by 2018. The initiative is wise and admirable, but is it realistic? Is it achievable and how? Currently the US electricity generation is 70% by fossil fuel, 20% by nuclear power and only 10% by solar, hydro, wind and other forms of renewable energy. Gore’s ambitious goal is achievable if supported by concerted national efforts of Solar Stirling Engine programs to gradually replace existing fossil fuel power plants, large or small. Steam engine is for 19th century, internal combustion engine is for 20th century and Stirling engine is for 21st century. Stirling engine as an external combustion engine can be performed by all forms of energy including solar. You may say Stirling engine is omnivorous.
America is a country of vast resources and can do spirit demonstrated by the mass mobilization of WWII in airplane manufacturing capability. Half a century later the world has not yet caught up. In the urgency of the present national energy and climate crisis, the same ‘can do’ attitude can be applied to the Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI) for success. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will not be able to catch up. The momentum of GENEI advocacy will make us the largest energy technology and Stirling Engine export nation in the history of world green energy technology and product export. The potential world market of GENEI technology and products together with our reduction in oil imports can be so great as to more than halve the current American trade deficit. The US is in great need of a president who will adhere to the mission and vision advanced by Al Gore.
Exactly twenty-four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. This was referring to American Stirling Engine technology being transferred to China. The idea was for China to deploy nationwide, small size solar powered Stirling engines as an appropriate renewable energy technology. The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. Because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine’s operating principle and construction compared to the conventional internal combustion engine, this is a winning combination from economical and renewable energy considerations. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. Thus mechanically, high efficiency Stirling Engines are very simple and maintenance free. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability, it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels. Solar voltaic panels as alternative utility power plants have significantly lower thermal efficiency, higher cost and take up much more space for the same electricity power delivered.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. The total designed power for these two projects add up to be 1750 MW, the size of two large nuclear power plants.
How does Solar Stirling Engine stack up against Nuclear Power plants? The solar Stirling Engine technology used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor. The cost of electric power for these Sun Catchers is 1/5 to 1/10 the cost of comparable photo voltaic panels. Each Sun Catcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels on per kilowatt basis. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low efficiency, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with Solar Stirling Engine systems.
The cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than the equivalent Solar Stirling Engine power plants because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks. All nuclear power plants must be housed in huge fortified containment housing, and all systems of hot and cooling water circulation must be heavily protected and isolated. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept.
For the sheer amount of enormous energy needed for Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI), from a safety point of view, Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over other renewable energy choices. California has voted for Stirling Engines from expert experience and is moving ahead. Since the accident at Three Mile Island over thirty years ago, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is very responsible and to be commended. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants. The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. The cost of disposal of spent fuel and its adverse effect of long lasting radioactivity on nature and mankind is well known. No nuclear power plant is permanent. The eventual need to tear down old dilapidated nuclear power plant for safety has also never been adequately addressed.
After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever. Medium and small size hydropower stations are better alternatives.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of manufacturing and maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems have long life cycle and do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working gas is permanently and hermetically sealed. There is no replacement or treatment necessary of the working gas in the life cycle of the engine as is required in steam and internal combustion engines.
In conclusion, as a national and local GENEI policy to reduce environmental pollution, to steer away from long term radioactive degradation of the earth, and to reduce national financial burden, all point to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. Large Stirling Engine power plants can be incrementally added in small modular units. They are much more thermally efficient than Solar voltaic panels. The recommendation of using Stirling Engine alternative for GENEI policy is based on my over two decades of experience as a practitioner of international Solar Stirling Engine technology transfer. The US oil imports is 24% in the 1970’s and 42% in the 1990’s. Today we import 70% of our oil and at a staggering cost of $700 Billion. This increasing trend and heavy cost are absolutely unsustainable.
It is imperative for us to support Al Gore’s recommendations and advocate GENEI policy as a national priority. To play a responsible role as the leader of the world, the US must also set an example in her renewable energy policy. Other major fossil fuel consuming nations such as China and India will inevitably follow. With ample evidence as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of US GENEI imperative is unconscionable. Financially the US will be the biggest energy technology transfer nation in world history and the beneficiary thereof.
In fact the US is already ahead of the world in Solar Stirling Engine technology. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will be hard put to catch up. The potential export of Solar Stirling Engine systems to meet the pent up demand for rest of the world will be a great stimulus to the US sagging economy. Together with the reduction in oil imports, the US trade deficit can be significantly reversed. The summation of total reduction of oil imports as the world follows our GENEI imperative will no doubt instantly halt the oil price speculation. It will not be surprising that a world concerted GENEI effort will instantly drive the oil price down by more than half. Our next president must show the vision and leadership to endorse Al Gore’s recommendations and implement the GENEI imperative as our energy independence policy. Yours humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant national energy implementation departments and local government heads.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
Word count 1500
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
ALTERNATIVE TO NUCLEAR AND FOSSIL ENERGY
http://www.worldharmonyorg.net/
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
July 18, 2008
On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President, made an important US energy independent announcement. The main theme was to announce the timely and important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green energy in a decade, by 2018. The initiative is wise and admirable, but is it realistic? Is it achievable and how? Currently the US electricity generation is 70% by fossil fuel, 20% by nuclear power and only 10% by solar, hydro, wind and other forms of renewable energy. Gore’s ambitious goal is achievable if supported by concerted national efforts of Solar Stirling Engine programs to gradually replace existing fossil fuel power plants, large or small. Steam engine is for 19th century, internal combustion engine is for 20th century and Stirling engine is for 21st century. Stirling engine as an external combustion engine can be performed by all forms of energy including solar. You may say Stirling engine is omnivorous.
America is a country of vast resources and can do spirit demonstrated by the mass mobilization of WWII in airplane manufacturing capability. Half a century later the world has not yet caught up. In the urgency of the present national energy and climate crisis, the same ‘can do’ attitude can be applied to the Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI) for success. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will not be able to catch up. The momentum of GENEI advocacy will make us the largest energy technology and Stirling Engine export nation in the history of world green energy technology and product export. The potential world market of GENEI technology and products together with our reduction in oil imports can be so great as to more than halve the current American trade deficit. The US is in great need of a president who will adhere to the mission and vision advanced by Al Gore.
Exactly twenty-four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. This was referring to American Stirling Engine technology being transferred to China. The idea was for China to deploy nationwide, small size solar powered Stirling engines as an appropriate renewable energy technology. The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. Because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine’s operating principle and construction compared to the conventional internal combustion engine, this is a winning combination from economical and renewable energy considerations. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. Thus mechanically, high efficiency Stirling Engines are very simple and maintenance free. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability, it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels. Solar voltaic panels as alternative utility power plants have significantly lower thermal efficiency, higher cost and take up much more space for the same electricity power delivered.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. The total designed power for these two projects add up to be 1750 MW, the size of two large nuclear power plants.
How does Solar Stirling Engine stack up against Nuclear Power plants? The solar Stirling Engine technology used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor. The cost of electric power for these Sun Catchers is 1/5 to 1/10 the cost of comparable photo voltaic panels. Each Sun Catcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels on per kilowatt basis. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low efficiency, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with Solar Stirling Engine systems.
The cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than the equivalent Solar Stirling Engine power plants because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks. All nuclear power plants must be housed in huge fortified containment housing, and all systems of hot and cooling water circulation must be heavily protected and isolated. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept.
For the sheer amount of enormous energy needed for Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI), from a safety point of view, Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over other renewable energy choices. California has voted for Stirling Engines from expert experience and is moving ahead. Since the accident at Three Mile Island over thirty years ago, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is very responsible and to be commended. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants. The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. The cost of disposal of spent fuel and its adverse effect of long lasting radioactivity on nature and mankind is well known. No nuclear power plant is permanent. The eventual need to tear down old dilapidated nuclear power plant for safety has also never been adequately addressed.
After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever. Medium and small size hydropower stations are better alternatives.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of manufacturing and maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems have long life cycle and do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working gas is permanently and hermetically sealed. There is no replacement or treatment necessary of the working gas in the life cycle of the engine as is required in steam and internal combustion engines.
In conclusion, as a national and local GENEI policy to reduce environmental pollution, to steer away from long term radioactive degradation of the earth, and to reduce national financial burden, all point to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. Large Stirling Engine power plants can be incrementally added in small modular units. They are much more thermally efficient than Solar voltaic panels. The recommendation of using Stirling Engine alternative for GENEI policy is based on my over two decades of experience as a practitioner of international Solar Stirling Engine technology transfer. The US oil imports is 24% in the 1970’s and 42% in the 1990’s. Today we import 70% of our oil and at a staggering cost of $700 Billion. This increasing trend and heavy cost are absolutely unsustainable.
It is imperative for us to support Al Gore’s recommendations and advocate GENEI policy as a national priority. To play a responsible role as the leader of the world, the US must also set an example in her renewable energy policy. Other major fossil fuel consuming nations such as China and India will inevitably follow. With ample evidence as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of US GENEI imperative is unconscionable. Financially the US will be the biggest energy technology transfer nation in world history and the beneficiary thereof.
In fact the US is already ahead of the world in Solar Stirling Engine technology. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will be hard put to catch up. The potential export of Solar Stirling Engine systems to meet the pent up demand for rest of the world will be a great stimulus to the US sagging economy. Together with the reduction in oil imports, the US trade deficit can be significantly reversed. The summation of total reduction of oil imports as the world follows our GENEI imperative will no doubt instantly halt the oil price speculation. It will not be surprising that a world concerted GENEI effort will instantly drive the oil price down by more than half. Our next president must show the vision and leadership to endorse Al Gore’s recommendations and implement the GENEI imperative as our energy independence policy. Yours humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant national energy implementation departments and local government heads.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
Word count 1500
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
Monday, July 21, 2008
STIRLING ENGINE IS FOR 21ST CENTURY
From: "Francis Fung"
Subject: SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE SYSTEMS POSITION PAPER AND LETTER TO CHINA
Dear Consul Pan,
Attached per your request are Solar Stirling Engine for Energy Independence letter and
position paper in English and Chinese for your transmission to relevant departments in China. I
will also come to your office to present my signed hard copies.
In the 2nd International Stirling Engines Conference my keynote speech was "The Promising
Future of Stirlings Engines in China". On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President,
announced the important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green
energy in a decade, by 2018. This heralds the future of Stirling Engine in America.
Steam Engine was for 19th Century, Internal Combustion Engine was for 20th Century, Stirling Engine will revolutionize the 21st Century.
In Service of Energy Independence.
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
General Partner
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership
Attachments
Files:
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_PARTNERSHIP.pdf (57k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_PARTNERSHIP_ch.doc_PDF.pdf (106k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_SYSTEMS_FOR_ENERGY_INDEPENDENCE_updated.doc.pdf (121k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_SYSTEMS_FOR_ENERGY_INDEPENDENCE_ch_updated.doc.pdf (188k
Subject: SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE SYSTEMS POSITION PAPER AND LETTER TO CHINA
Dear Consul Pan,
Attached per your request are Solar Stirling Engine for Energy Independence letter and
position paper in English and Chinese for your transmission to relevant departments in China. I
will also come to your office to present my signed hard copies.
In the 2nd International Stirling Engines Conference my keynote speech was "The Promising
Future of Stirlings Engines in China". On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President,
announced the important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green
energy in a decade, by 2018. This heralds the future of Stirling Engine in America.
Steam Engine was for 19th Century, Internal Combustion Engine was for 20th Century, Stirling Engine will revolutionize the 21st Century.
In Service of Energy Independence.
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
General Partner
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership
Attachments
Files:
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_PARTNERSHIP.pdf (57k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_PARTNERSHIP_ch.doc_PDF.pdf (106k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_SYSTEMS_FOR_ENERGY_INDEPENDENCE_updated.doc.pdf (121k)
SOLAR_STIRLING_ENGINE_SYSTEMS_FOR_ENERGY_INDEPENDENCE_ch_updated.doc.pdf (188k
Sunday, July 20, 2008
GREEN ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE (GENEI) REVISED
GREEN ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE (GENEI)
ALTERNATIVE TO NUCLEAR AND FOSSIL ENERGY
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
July 18, 2008
On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President, made an important US energy independent announcement. The main theme was to announce the timely and important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green energy in a decade, by 2018. The initiative is wise and admirable, but is it realistic? Is it achievable and how? Currently the US electricity generation is 70% by fossil fuel, 20% by nuclear power and only 10% by solar, hydro, wind and other forms of renewable energy. Gore’s ambitious goal is achievable if supported by concerted national efforts of Solar Stirling Engine programs to gradually replace existing fossil fuel power plants, large or small.
America is a country of vast resources and can do spirit demonstrated by the mass mobilization of WWII in airplane manufacturing capability. Half a century later the world has not yet caught up. In the urgency of the present national energy and climate crisis, the same ‘can do’ attitude can be applied to the Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI) for success. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will not be able to catch up. The momentum of GENEI advocacy will make us the largest energy technology and Stirling Engine export nation in the history of world green energy technology and product export. The potential world market of GENEI technology and products together with our reduction in oil imports can be so great as to more than halve the current American trade deficit. The US is in great need of a president who will adhere to the mission and vision advanced by Al Gore.
Exactly twenty-four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. This was referring to American Stirling Engine technology being transferred to China. The idea was for China to deploy nationwide, small size solar powered Stirling engines as an appropriate renewable energy technology. The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. Because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine’s operating principle and construction compared to the conventional internal combustion engine, this is a winning combination from economical and renewable energy considerations. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. Thus mechanically, high efficiency Stirling Engines are very simple and maintenance free. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability, it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels. Solar voltaic panels as alternative utility power plants have significantly lower thermal efficiency, higher cost and take up much more space for the same electricity power delivered.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. The total designed power for these two projects add up to be 1750 MW, the size of two large nuclear power plants.
How does Solar Stirling Engine stack up against Nuclear Power plants? The solar Stirling Engine technology used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor. The cost of electric power for these Sun Catchers is 1/5 to 1/10 the cost of comparable photo voltaic panels. Each Sun Catcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels on per kilowatt basis. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low efficiency, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with Solar Stirling Engine systems.
The cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than the equivalent Solar Stirling Engine power plants because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks. All nuclear power plants must be housed in huge fortified containment housing, and all systems of hot and cooling water circulation must be heavily protected and isolated. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept.
For the sheer amount of enormous energy needed for Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI), from a safety point of view, Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over other renewable energy choices. California has voted for Stirling Engines from expert experience and is moving ahead. Since the accident at Three Mile Island over thirty years ago, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is very responsible and to be commended. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants. The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. The cost of disposal of spent fuel and its adverse effect of long lasting radioactivity on nature and mankind is well known. No nuclear power plant is permanent. The eventual need to tear down old dilapidated nuclear power plant for safety has also never been adequately addressed.
After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever. Medium and small size hydropower stations are better alternatives.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of manufacturing and maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems have long life cycle and do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working gas is permanently and hermetically sealed. There is no replacement or treatment necessary of the working gas in the life cycle of the engine as is required in steam and internal combustion engines.
In conclusion, as a national and local GENEI policy to reduce environmental pollution, to steer away from long term radioactive degradation of the earth, and to reduce national financial burden, all point to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. Large Stirling Engine power plants can be incrementally added in small modular units. They are much more thermally efficient than Solar voltaic panels. The recommendation of using Stirling Engine alternative for GENEI policy is based on my over two decades of experience as a practitioner of international Solar Stirling Engine technology transfer. The US oil imports is 24% in the 1970’s and 42% in the 1990’s. Today we import 70% of our oil and at a staggering cost of $700 Billion. This increasing trend and heavy cost are absolutely unsustainable.
It is imperative for us to support Al Gore’s recommendations and advocate GENEI policy as a national priority. To play a responsible role as the leader of the world, the US must also set an example in her renewable energy policy. Other major fossil fuel consuming nations such as China and India will inevitably follow. With ample evidence as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of US GENEI imperative is unconscionable. Financially the US will be the biggest energy technology transfer nation in world history and the beneficiary thereof.
In fact the US is already ahead of the world in Solar Stirling Engine technology. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will be hard put to catch up. The potential export of Solar Stirling Engine systems to meet the pent up demand for rest of the world will be a great stimulus to the US sagging economy. Together with the reduction in oil imports, the US trade deficit can be significantly reversed. The summation of total reduction of oil imports as the world follows our GENEI imperative will no doubt instantly halt the oil price speculation. It will not be surprising that a world concerted GENEI effort will instantly drive the oil price down by more than half. Our next president must show the vision and leadership to endorse Al Gore’s recommendations and implement the GENEI imperative as our energy independence policy. Yours humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant national energy implementation departments and local government heads.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
Word count 1500
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
ALTERNATIVE TO NUCLEAR AND FOSSIL ENERGY
BY FRANCIS C W FUNG, PH.D.
July 18, 2008
On July 17, 2008 Al Gore, former US Vice President, made an important US energy independent announcement. The main theme was to announce the timely and important initiative of converting all US electricity production to green energy in a decade, by 2018. The initiative is wise and admirable, but is it realistic? Is it achievable and how? Currently the US electricity generation is 70% by fossil fuel, 20% by nuclear power and only 10% by solar, hydro, wind and other forms of renewable energy. Gore’s ambitious goal is achievable if supported by concerted national efforts of Solar Stirling Engine programs to gradually replace existing fossil fuel power plants, large or small.
America is a country of vast resources and can do spirit demonstrated by the mass mobilization of WWII in airplane manufacturing capability. Half a century later the world has not yet caught up. In the urgency of the present national energy and climate crisis, the same ‘can do’ attitude can be applied to the Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI) for success. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will not be able to catch up. The momentum of GENEI advocacy will make us the largest energy technology and Stirling Engine export nation in the history of world green energy technology and product export. The potential world market of GENEI technology and products together with our reduction in oil imports can be so great as to more than halve the current American trade deficit. The US is in great need of a president who will adhere to the mission and vision advanced by Al Gore.
Exactly twenty-four years ago I delivered a key note speech at the Second International Conference of Stirling Engines in Shanghai, China. The title of my speech was “The Promising Future of Stirling Engines in China”. This was referring to American Stirling Engine technology being transferred to China. The idea was for China to deploy nationwide, small size solar powered Stirling engines as an appropriate renewable energy technology. The most endearing and commanding source of external heat to power Stirling Engines without doubt is solar heat. Because of the simplicity of the Stirling Engine’s operating principle and construction compared to the conventional internal combustion engine, this is a winning combination from economical and renewable energy considerations. The operating gas in a Stirling Engine is hermetically sealed and heat is added to the outside of the engine cylinder. Thus mechanically, high efficiency Stirling Engines are very simple and maintenance free. Most of all, because of its high heat and power concentration capability, it is also particularly suitable for large electric utility applications compared to solar voltaic panels. Solar voltaic panels as alternative utility power plants have significantly lower thermal efficiency, higher cost and take up much more space for the same electricity power delivered.
As of this writing, the two largest Solar power Stirling Engine Utility Plants under construction are the Solar One Project being built for Southern California Edison at the California Mohave desert and the Solar Two Project being built for San Diego Gas and Electric at Imperial County at Southern California. The total designed power for these two projects add up to be 1750 MW, the size of two large nuclear power plants.
How does Solar Stirling Engine stack up against Nuclear Power plants? The solar Stirling Engine technology used in these two projects are called the SES SunCatcher system, they hold the record for the most efficient solar electricity generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a highly concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor. The cost of electric power for these Sun Catchers is 1/5 to 1/10 the cost of comparable photo voltaic panels. Each Sun Catcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power, which means they occupy much less space compared to any solar voltaic panels on per kilowatt basis. The large space required for solar voltaic panels, high price and low efficiency, disqualified them as candidates for large utilities in competing with Solar Stirling Engine systems.
The cost of nuclear power plants is manifolds higher than the equivalent Solar Stirling Engine power plants because of the strict need and regulation requirements to prevent nuclear radioactivity leaks. All nuclear power plants must be housed in huge fortified containment housing, and all systems of hot and cooling water circulation must be heavily protected and isolated. The construction cycle is also unduly long. Despite all the built in safety factors for nuclear power plants, mechanical failures and human errors do occur. Accidents like Three Mile Island in the US and Chernobyl in Russia are unavoidable and the consequences are too dear to accept.
For the sheer amount of enormous energy needed for Green Energy for Electricity Initiative (GENEI), from a safety point of view, Solar Stirling Engine System utility wins hands down over other renewable energy choices. California has voted for Stirling Engines from expert experience and is moving ahead. Since the accident at Three Mile Island over thirty years ago, the US has consistently delayed building nuclear power plants. That is very responsible and to be commended. I was one time the China country representative of Combustion Engineering for the sales of moth-balled Tennessee Valley Nuclear power plants. The nightmares of TMI and Chernobyl still haunt me. The cost of disposal of spent fuel and its adverse effect of long lasting radioactivity on nature and mankind is well known. No nuclear power plant is permanent. The eventual need to tear down old dilapidated nuclear power plant for safety has also never been adequately addressed.
After the unprecedented severe Sichaun earth quakes, the construction of huge hydro power plants such as the three Gorges anywhere in the world will be most likely put off for a long time if not forever. Medium and small size hydropower stations are better alternatives.
Aside from the fact that Solar Stirling Engine for electricity generation is non polluting and renewable, the final merit is the economic pay back of its low life cycle cost due to ease of manufacturing and maintenance of the engine. Solar Stirling Engine systems have long life cycle and do not require the many additional ancillary accessories as diesel and steam engines. In a Solar Stirling Engine System the working gas is permanently and hermetically sealed. There is no replacement or treatment necessary of the working gas in the life cycle of the engine as is required in steam and internal combustion engines.
In conclusion, as a national and local GENEI policy to reduce environmental pollution, to steer away from long term radioactive degradation of the earth, and to reduce national financial burden, all point to the choice of using Solar Stirling Engine Systems as the most viable solution. Large Stirling Engine power plants can be incrementally added in small modular units. They are much more thermally efficient than Solar voltaic panels. The recommendation of using Stirling Engine alternative for GENEI policy is based on my over two decades of experience as a practitioner of international Solar Stirling Engine technology transfer. The US oil imports is 24% in the 1970’s and 42% in the 1990’s. Today we import 70% of our oil and at a staggering cost of $700 Billion. This increasing trend and heavy cost are absolutely unsustainable.
It is imperative for us to support Al Gore’s recommendations and advocate GENEI policy as a national priority. To play a responsible role as the leader of the world, the US must also set an example in her renewable energy policy. Other major fossil fuel consuming nations such as China and India will inevitably follow. With ample evidence as discussed here, not to include the Solar Engine Systems for consideration as a major part of US GENEI imperative is unconscionable. Financially the US will be the biggest energy technology transfer nation in world history and the beneficiary thereof.
In fact the US is already ahead of the world in Solar Stirling Engine technology. The GENEI policy will put US so far ahead in Solar Stirling system manufacturing that the world will be hard put to catch up. The potential export of Solar Stirling Engine systems to meet the pent up demand for rest of the world will be a great stimulus to the US sagging economy. Together with the reduction in oil imports, the US trade deficit can be significantly reversed. The summation of total reduction of oil imports as the world follows our GENEI imperative will no doubt instantly halt the oil price speculation. It will not be surprising that a world concerted GENEI effort will instantly drive the oil price down by more than half. Our next president must show the vision and leadership to endorse Al Gore’s recommendations and implement the GENEI imperative as our energy independence policy. Yours humbly is available for consultation by invitation from relevant national energy implementation departments and local government heads.
In Service of Energy Independence
Francis C W Fung, PH.D.
Solar Stirling Engine Partnership (SSEP)
Word count 1500
SOLAR ONE PROJECT, Capacity: 500 MW (for 300,000 homes) with expansion option to 850 MW
20,000 - 34,000 solar dish Stirling systems
20-Year Power Purchase Agreement
Sited in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow, CA
Saturday, July 19, 2008
SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL SUMMARY
WWW.WORLDHARMONYORG.NET
合作生产太阳能斯特林发电系统项目建议书
国际石油价格一路上扬，石油还够用多久？总有一天石油会耗尽，这是不争的
事实。怎么办？
不用耽心！科学家计算，每小时到达地球的阳光能量，如转换成电能，可满足
全球一年所需。我们能让阳光变电能。
美国南加州洛杉矶东北部的沙漠，树起数十个巨大的凹镜。每个直径37英尺，
自动对准太阳，将阳光聚焦反射到热量收集器上，收集器中的氢受热产生约700oC
高温，然后用斯特林发动机驱动发电机发电。
斯特林太阳能凹镜系统，是一种将太阳能转化为电能的最新技术，效率最高，
转换率达0％。科学家希望通过技术改进，将转化率提至50％。该系统发电成本
只有光伏系统的1/5－1/10。由于斯特林太阳能发电系统占地面积较小，功率较大，
所发电力可直接进入电网。2009年上述发电厂全部完工后，可满足30万美国家庭
的用电。
太阳能斯特林发电系统由几个部分组成：
1、太阳能全自动跟踪接收汇聚反射；
2、太阳能聚焦能量接收传导转换热管等；
3、热能储存器，如MgH2/Mg储存器；
4、斯特林发动机；
5、由斯特林发动机驱动的发电机。
系统中制造难度最大的是斯特林发动机，该发动机的特殊之处是其静特性、动
特性和工艺性。设计、加工需要的特种材料和热机工质，都是世界难题。解决上
述问题，将大大促进机械行业的进步。
1984年，世界和谐组织总干事冯忠华教授带领美国 MTI 科技专家，首次将斯
特林发动机技术引进到中国，具体由上海的711研究所负责技术开发。20多年来，
中国科技人员在斯特林发动机的研发方面取得了可喜的成果，在引进技术的基础
上，开发出拥有自主知识产权的产品，整体技术达到国际先进水平，部分技术处
于国际领先地位，已经运用在中国自己研制的潜艇，为中国的国防现代化做出巨
大的贡献。
下图：美国斯特林能源系统公司的太阳能发电厂
建议：
1、利用美国斯特林能源系统公司的太阳能凹镜聚焦系统，委托上海711研究
所生产斯特林发动机，组成太阳能斯特林发电系统，中国生产，就地销售给国内
用户。也可销往周边国家。
2、在中国自主知识产权的整体太阳能斯特林发电系统的基础上，聘请美国工
程技术人员前往中国指导，提高技术水平，提高发电效率，提高产品的市场竞争
力。
林光前2007年10月12日第二稿
SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE PARTNERSHIP (SSEP)
A COMMISSION OF WORLD HARMONY ORGANIZATION
合作生产太阳能斯特林发电系统项目建议书
国际石油价格一路上扬，石油还够用多久？总有一天石油会耗尽，这是不争的
事实。怎么办？
不用耽心！科学家计算，每小时到达地球的阳光能量，如转换成电能，可满足
全球一年所需。我们能让阳光变电能。
美国南加州洛杉矶东北部的沙漠，树起数十个巨大的凹镜。每个直径37英尺，
自动对准太阳，将阳光聚焦反射到热量收集器上，收集器中的氢受热产生约700oC
高温，然后用斯特林发动机驱动发电机发电。
斯特林太阳能凹镜系统，是一种将太阳能转化为电能的最新技术，效率最高，
转换率达0％。科学家希望通过技术改进，将转化率提至50％。该系统发电成本
只有光伏系统的1/5－1/10。由于斯特林太阳能发电系统占地面积较小，功率较大，
所发电力可直接进入电网。2009年上述发电厂全部完工后，可满足30万美国家庭
的用电。
太阳能斯特林发电系统由几个部分组成：
1、太阳能全自动跟踪接收汇聚反射；
2、太阳能聚焦能量接收传导转换热管等；
3、热能储存器，如MgH2/Mg储存器；
4、斯特林发动机；
5、由斯特林发动机驱动的发电机。
系统中制造难度最大的是斯特林发动机，该发动机的特殊之处是其静特性、动
特性和工艺性。设计、加工需要的特种材料和热机工质，都是世界难题。解决上
述问题，将大大促进机械行业的进步。
1984年，世界和谐组织总干事冯忠华教授带领美国 MTI 科技专家，首次将斯
特林发动机技术引进到中国，具体由上海的711研究所负责技术开发。20多年来，
中国科技人员在斯特林发动机的研发方面取得了可喜的成果，在引进技术的基础
上，开发出拥有自主知识产权的产品，整体技术达到国际先进水平，部分技术处
于国际领先地位，已经运用在中国自己研制的潜艇，为中国的国防现代化做出巨
大的贡献。
下图：美国斯特林能源系统公司的太阳能发电厂
建议：
1、利用美国斯特林能源系统公司的太阳能凹镜聚焦系统，委托上海711研究
所生产斯特林发动机，组成太阳能斯特林发电系统，中国生产，就地销售给国内
用户。也可销往周边国家。
2、在中国自主知识产权的整体太阳能斯特林发电系统的基础上，聘请美国工
程技术人员前往中国指导，提高技术水平，提高发电效率，提高产品的市场竞争
力。
林光前2007年10月12日第二稿
SOLAR STIRLING ENGINE PARTNERSHIP (SSEP)
A COMMISSION OF WORLD HARMONY ORGANIZATION
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