Design and application of stirling engine-PV hybrid power system

A hybrid power system of Stirling engine-PV was installed in the central heating system to produce electricity and the performance of the emerging system was experimentally analyzed. This study aims to keep the heating system perform its primary function while generating a small amount of electricity. Mechanical energy provided by the Stirling engine is transformed by an alternator into electricity and this electricity is stored, together with the energy provided by PV panels, into a battery to be made available for use. Thus, it is possible to understand the operation of a hybrid system, the interactions of two different energy sources with the heating system and the differences of performance in time. Measurements have been taken from the system with 10 minute intervals for three months (between 1 January - 31 March 2018). By the data obtained through measurements, performance of the system is evaluated through the parameters like thermal power, efficiency, electrical power, cost and cost saving. The results of this study show that the hybrid system composed of Stirling engine and PV panels was able to meet in full the heating requirements of the chosen building. In addition, Stirling engine-PV hybrid power system generated an average of 130 W of electricity for three months. 82% of this was provided by micro generation system with Stirling engine. Remaining 18% was provided by the PV panels. The heating system working with the Stirling engine resulted in 1.29kW loss in the thermal power of the boiler. Moreover, reductions in the electricity generation of the system are observed due to intermittent working of Stirling engine and lack of solar energy in the night hours. This study tested the performance of the Stirling engine-PV hybrid power generation system and evaluated with the energy and economic analyses to be a reference point for later studies.