Distributed CHP Generation from small size concentrated Solar Power

The distributed cogeneration of energy is one of the leading arguments for the improvement of renewable energy share in the energy consumption at European level. The actual work describe the realization of a modular 1-3 kWe, 3-9 kWth micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) system based on innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Stirling engine technology. This CSP m-CHP will provide electrical power, heating and cooling for single and multiple domestic dwellings and other small buildings. It integrates small scale concentrator optics with moving and tracking components, solar absorbers in the form of evacuated tube collectors, a heat transfer fluid properly investigated, a Stirling engine with generator after the development and testing of two main solutions, and heating and/or cooling systems; it incorporates them into buildings in an architecturally acceptable manner, with low visual impact. The work is part of a European Funded project (DiGeSPo) in the CALL ENERGY-2009-1