Frontier Solar Stirling Engines: Technical Optimization and Wide Application

Abstract

As an external gas turbine, the solar Stirling engine uses an external heat source to expand the gas in the inner cylinder to generate power. It can effectively transform solar energy into various kinds of energy and has a broad range of application prospects in the field of sustainable energy since its theoretical foundation is the Stirling cycle, which has the same thermodynamic efficiency as the Carnot cycle. This article elucidates the fundamental principles underlying the Stirling engine, provides an exposition on its three basic types, delves into potential constituent elements, explores avenues for optimization, showcases multiple exemplars of cutting-edge solar Stirling engine applications, and ultimately conducts a comparative assessment of the benefits and drawbacks inherent in solar power generation versus conventional thermal power generation methodologies. It is hoped that after understanding the innovative technology and application prospects of the solar Stirling engine, readers can better understand its importance and potential in the field of sustainable energy and optimize its structure or materials so as to promote the further development of solar Stirling engine.