Thermo-Acoustic Hybrid Solar Energy System

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Program:
FOCUS
Award:
$2,440,277
Location:
Redondo Beach, California
Status:
CANCELLED
Project Term:
06/15/2014 - 08/04/2016

Technology Description:

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is developing a dish-shaped sunlight-concentrating hybrid solar converter that integrates high-efficiency solar cells and a thermo-acoustic engine that generates electricity directly from heat. Current solar cells lose significant amounts of energy as heat, because they do not have heat storage capability. By integrating a high-temperature solar cell and thermo-acoustic engine into a single system, thermal energy losses are minimized. The thermo-acoustic unit, which was originally designed for space missions, converts waste heat from the solar cell into sound waves to generate electricity using as few moving parts as possible. The engine and solar cell are connected to a molten salt thermal storage unit to store heat when the sun shines and to release the heat and make electricity when the sun is not shining. Northrop Grumman’s system could efficiently generate electricity more cheaply than existing solar power plants and lead to inexpensive, on-demand electricity from solar energy.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Northrop Grumman’s hybrid solar converter could generate heat and electricity efficiently and inexpensively from renewable solar energy.

Security:

Developing new systems that perform both of these functions at the same time could provide domestically-sourced power at costs comparable to traditional sources, whether the sun is shining or not.

Environment:

Replacing energy systems powered by fossil fuels would provide an immediate decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, 40% of which come from electricity generation today.

Economy:

Cost-effective, dispatchable solar energy alternatives would stabilize electricity rates for consumers as the penetration of renewable energy increases in the coming years.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Eric Schiff
Project Contact:
Dr. David Lee
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
david.e.lee@ngc.com

Partners

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Release Date:
07/16/2013