Microcogeneration with stirling engine and solar power: energetic balance in mediterranean climate

Abstract

This paper analyses the viability of a new microcogeneration system with a Stirling engine micro-CHP (combined heat and electricty) and renewable solar energy: thermal and photovoltaic system, using accumulation system for hot water and ion lithium batteries for electricity. A Weather station gives real meteorological parameters for Mediterranean climate (Málaga- Spain). A control unit permits having a total automated system, which works according to a flowchart. This controller also allows theorizing a demand profile curve of daily consumption, typical for this or others climates. Many studies analyse different kinds of combined systems by simulation or making the real installation to have results for microcogeneration or solar power, but not together, e.g. Central Heating applications to obtain a constant consumption of hot water. This new system shows a new combination of resources (natural gas in Stirling and solar energy system), and the implementation allows to do experiments with different profiles of consumption to have real, non-theoretical, results. The control system is totally self-governing, it connects the different supplies of energy: solar thermal, photovoltaic, stirling or batteries depending of the demand, this demand can be change and simulate any profile: domestic (heat and power), business, low thermal demand, low electricity demand, etc. Figures below shows any examples about real balances for heat and electrical energy in a typical day.