1/27 ea technology dchp field trials practical experiences with the whispergen project manager : rob...

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ea technology

DCHP Field TrialsPractical Experiences with the WhisperGen

Project Manager : Rob GreenPresented by Yvonne Dickson

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Overview

• Introduction to the WhisperGen• History of EA Technology’s involvement• WhisperGen & the Stirling Cycle• Field trials• Performance

– Does it save money?– Does it reduce CO2 emissions?

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• Floor-mounted boiler replacement

• External combustion• Stirling cycle

What is the WhisperGen

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WhisperGen in the home

WhisperGen

microCHPunit

GRID ELECTRICITYIMPORT / EXPORT

GAS100%

EXHAUST10%

GENERATION10 %

HEAT80 %

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Project History• 1999 - studies of commercial viability• 2000 - lab demo of Mk I WhisperGen• 2001 - Mk I

• 3 trial houses + test house + lab endurance• 2002 - alpha trial Mk II

• 13 houses + lab endurance (4)• 2003 - beta trial Mk III

• 15 Chester + 13 Ipswich + lab (Mk II & III)• 2003 / 4 - Mk IV

• pre-launch checks - 3 Chester houses

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Powergen market launch 2004• EA Technology training of installers• Monitoring for Carbon Trust & DTI

Project History (2)

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Piston

RegeneratorGas Flame

Cooling Circuit

The Stirling Cycle

Piston

Gas

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The Stirling Cycle

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compression at constant temperature

The Stirling Cycle

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displacement / regeneration at constant volume

The Stirling Cycle

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expansion at constant temperature

The Stirling Cycle

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displacement / regeneration at constant volume

The Stirling Cycle

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WhisperGen & the Stirling Cycle

ReturnFlow

Generator

Wobble Yoke

Air

GasHOT END

COLD END

Exhaust Cooler

4 CylinderNitrogen FilledStirling Engine

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WhisperGen

• Mk IV current– 0.85 kWe / 6 kW t– 1.2 kWe / 8 kW t

• Mk V soon– ~ 1 kWe / 7 kW t to ~ 1 kWe / 15 kW t

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The need for field trials

Prototype:– Ease of installation– Reliability– Operational experience– Control systems– User acceptability– Performance / Economics– Improvements

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The need for field trials (2)

Market ready:• Carbon Trust

– CO2 emissions– Product accreditation

• DTI / electricity suppliers– Electricity metering / settlement

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EA Technology Field Trials

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What to measure?

• Electricity kWh– Generation– House in and out

• Heat output• Gas input• Temperatures?

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Findings

• Range of house types & occupancy patterns– Both affect run hours– Occupant behaviour – big variable

• Sales + Accreditation?• User acceptability

– Noise– Speed of response

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Electricity

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-0.5

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00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00

time

kW (a

vera

ge o

ver 1

5 m

in)

14/02/02House useHouse ImportHouse ExportWG Export

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Electricity

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-0.5

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kW (a

vera

ge o

ver 1

5 m

in)

17/04/02House useHouse ImportHouse ExportWG Export

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Electricity

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-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

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00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00

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kW (a

vera

ge o

ver

15 m

in)

09/03/02House useHouse ImportHouse ExportWG Export

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Economics – does it save money?

• Well matched (application & engine)– £150 to £200 / year (~ €250 / year)

• Need long run hours– Occupancy pattern– House heat loss (need large houses)

• Mk V

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Government targets CO2

- Global warming / Kyoto- dCHP high priority

• dCHP in context of house- 60 WhisperGen sites to be monitored

- 40 Powergen- 20 Northern Ireland

Carbon Trust Monitoring Trial

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Carbon Trust Method

Pulses (Gas, electric, heat)

Temperatures Logger / receiver

Telemetry systemGSM

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Does it save CO2?

• Comparing against?– Boiler (B rated 86%+, A rated ~93%)– Central power station

• If dCHP overall efficiency >= boiler efficiency– Obviously reduces CO2 emissions

• If dCHP overall efficiency < boiler efficiency– Not so clear cut

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Conclusions• WhisperGen is commercially available

– Stirling Cycle, External Combustion• Field trials are essential to prove:

– Customer acceptability, reliability, use patterns export (utilisation) etc. etc.

• Occupant behaviour has a big effect• Mk V should expand market for WhisperGen• Saves CO2?

rob.green@eatechnology.com