Don't Forget Thermal Technologies

April 25, 2004 – Vol.9 No.5

DON”T FORGET THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES.

While hydrogen fuel cells with their high-tech ability to turn oxidizing hydrogen into the flow of electric current grab the headlines, less than glamourous thermal power generation technologies also have the ability to produce clean and green electricity.

STM Technologies, a self-acknowledged leader in Stirling cycle power generators, has announced that it has received $29.6 million in venture capital funding from VantagePoint Venture Partners, Nth Power, CDP Capital Technology Ventures, Sempra Energy and Smart Technology Ventures.

The company claims it is working with sales channel partners in Europe, Asia and America to market its 55-kilowatt PowerUnit. Two weeks ago DTE Energy Technologies announced that it would be marketing those units rebranded under its own name.

STM lists the sources of thermal energy to operate the external combustion engines as natural gas, propane, landfill gas, gas from anaerobic digesters from sewage treatment plants or agricultural waste, petroleum flare, coal bed methane, hydrogen, waste heat from furnaces and industrial processes, flue gas stacks, bio fuels and vegetable oils. The company’s website also mentions Old Sol as a source of thermal energy.

The generators can also work in combined heat and power mode for even greater efficiency.

Emissions are significantly lower than internal combustion engines because external combustion in the Stirling cycle is continuous and can be easily regulated. Fuel entering the engine does not have to be compressed.

Full commercialization of the technology is being planned for September 2004. Visit STM Power at http://www.stmpower.com/ .