Advanced conversion technologies for small-scale remote power systems

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:435541

Lamp, T R ^[1]

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1. Wright Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States)

Forest fires that endangered remote US Air Force sites equipped with radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) prompted the assessment of power generating systems that could be substituted for RTGs in small scale (10--120 watt) applications. Other non-RTG sites were also studied during the assessment. The power system assessment was conducted by the US Air Forces` Wright Laboratory and included the evaluation of engine-driven generators, solar, wind generators, propane thermoelectric generators (TEGs), batteries, fuel cells, and power systems based on advanced conversion technologies; such as, thermionics, free piston Stirling Engines (FPSE), alkali metal thermoelectric conversion (AMTEC), and thermophotovoltaics (TPV). The assessment team concluded that continued use of the RTGs is clearly the safest, most reliable, and most economical approach to supplying electrical power for remote, difficult to access locations. If political considerations force the replacement of the RTGs, the likely replacement is a hybrid system consisting of solar-PV with a propane-TEG for off-solar times. The transport of combustible fuels in Arctic environments is extremely expensive. It is this high logistics cost that signaled the need to consider the option of more efficient and cost effective power sources for the remote, Arctic applications. This paper summarizes the assessment of some of the more attractive power systems that are based on the advanced conversion technologies of AMTEC, TPV and FPSE.

• Sponsoring Organization: Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC (United States); Advanced Research Projects Agency, Washington, DC (United States); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 435541
• Report Number(s): CONF-960805--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
42 ENGINEERING
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
MILITARY FACILITIES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER SUPPLIES
REMOTE AREAS
STIRLING ENGINES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS