This is a research report that I wrote for one of my fourth year engineering courses. We are supposed to choose topics that are related to renewable or distributed energy, and I chose to write my report about Stirling engines and micro-cogeneration, two topics that have a connection with one another. It’s not the longest report I’ve written, and probably not the best either, but I got a decent mark in the course so the report can’t be that bad. Keep reading if you feel like wasting a couple minutes of time.

ABSTRACT

This report presents an investigation into the Stirling engine, the concept of micro-cogeneration, and the application of Stirling engines in micro-cogeneration. Due to rising fossil fuel prices and the movement towards cleaner, more efficient energy usage, the concept of micro-cogeneration has gained momentum in recent years as a way to increase energy efficiency and decrease emissions. Thanks to the rise of micro-cogeneration, the Stirling engine is also receiving attention as a way to power micro-cogeneration products. Stirling engines have several characteristics that make them suited to micro-cogeneration applications, but their cost and electrical efficiency still need to be improved. Meanwhile, micro-cogeneration has to potential to bring many benefits to the energy market, but there are still many challenges such as cost and lack of government policy standing in its way. However, as technology continues to improve, fuel prices continue to rise and “green” energy continues to gain more momentum, Stirling engines and micro-cogeneration are likely to become more popular in the coming years.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction
2.0 The Stirling Engine
3.0 Micro-cogeneration
4.0 Conclusions and References