Future Prospects for Stirling engines

[stan.hornbaker]

I have received suggestions that my comments on these forums have been
negative regarding the future of Stirling engines and their applications.

The various sites on the web have been followed for several years and
the stories always seems to be the same or similar.
1. We are working diligently on development but need another year of
funding to complete final design and a prototype.
2. We have built a fullsize operating unit. It works as expected but
haven't convinced the powers that be to implement it on a grand scale.
3. We are currently in production of CHP units but cost prohibits
widespread use without government assistance.
4. The web site was last updated 5 years ago. What does that say?

CHP is on the move in the UK and Europe. End consumer costs are being
reduced as production and installation numbers incease.

On a brighter note I am aware of two organizations/groups/individuals
working on implementing systems/applications for Stirling/Hot Air engines.
One is a unique arrangements of engine components and processes, the
other utilizes some new techniques and processes to generate power.
I am looking forward eagerly to hear progress reports regarding both.
W. S. Hornbaker

[davdbarry]

The whispergen unit is being installed in large numbers in the UK. This is a combined heat
and power plant where the natural gas is burned and heats the hot end of a Stirling engine
which is cooled by water; the water having been heated in this process is used to heat the
house. In otherwords it is a gas powered electricity generator, the waste heat from which is
used to heat the house.

This does appear to be an economically viable product.

[pds]

The whispergen product does look like to be a viable product for the end user. However I wonder what the production costs are involved for whispergen? I also wonder what has happened to microgen in the UK and STM power in the US. Seems like their websites are dead.
Recently saw that Solo Stirling in germany is insolvent and the technology has been taken over by a Swiss company.