• 120 likes • 164 Views
Learn about real off-grid electrical converter manufacturers - Beacon Power and Outback Power. Explore different types of electrical generators and the benefits of solar thermal technology. Get in touch with top vendors in the industry.
E N D
Power Conversion • Per Vendors at Building Technology ’06, only two real manufacturers of off-grid electrical converters • Beacon Power • Outback • Beacon Power • http://www.beaconpower.com/index.htm • Contact initiated, waiting on reply • Wilmington, MA firm
Power Conversion Cont’d • Outback Power • http://www.outbackpower.com/ • Sponsored 9 teams in 2005 http://www.outbackpower.com/OffGrid.htm
ThermoAcoustic Generator • Fellowes Research Group • Prototype built, working on producing for market • TAC <$.25/W Capital Cost • MEMS – TAR <$.1/W • http://www.io.com/~frg/ TAC - Engine MEMS – TAR Solid State Heat Here
Thermo Electrics • Higher Capital Costs but Lower Life Cycle Costs1 • Kryotherm TGMs generate electrical power up to 10 Watts per TGM at 6 V dc and at 100˚ C temperature difference. P = Qh – Qc = I2× R ~ D T 2 1http://www.globalte.com/compare.html
Hi-Z Thermo Electrics • HZ-2 2.5 W@ 3.3 V • 4.5% efficient • $46 / module (small batch) • HZ-9 9 W@ 3.3 V • 4.5% efficient • $131 / module (small batch) • HZ-20 19 W@ 2.38 V • 4.5% efficient • $154 / module (small batch)
Varmaraf • Thermator A • Can be cooled by air only at a power loss • Indoors at 20C with 75C water supply, produces 2.5W at 12V
Building Technology ‘06 • Solar Thermal • Several vendors recommend Solar Thermal over PV • Vendor Contacts: • Schuco – Larry Waitz • Solar Water Heating Workshop • Friday, 0800-1630, $85 / person • Ascendent Solar – John Tabb • Combined PV and Solar Thermal • Oventrop – Joseph Walsh
Ascendent Energy • Combine PV and Solar Thermal • Use angled approach to maximize collection
Schuco • Vendor recommends LA Collector – piping runs vertical and horizontal • Premium solar thermal collector with high quality "Sunselect" absorber coating for very high efficiency and optimized thermal insulation to guarantee low energy loss. SRCC-certified collector thermal performance on a clear day: 33 MJ per day/31 BTU per day (rating in category C). • Standard frame color silver aluminum, other colors available on request. Absorber surface 27.1 sqft., gross area 29 sqft.