GS: Automotive company finds simpler gas engines are cheaper; could Stirling engines have a place in Detroit?

Fisker Eyes Simpler Engine as One Key to a Lower Cost Plug-in

This is an important realization for automakers to come to, especially when developing plug-in hybrids, however, it is also one application where a Stirling engine could be used instead.

The Stirling engine (in simplest terms, an engine powered by differences in heat) is uniquely suited for this application because of the following rationale:
- These engines have been developed and used to drive electrical generators for years, beginning in the 1970s. Recently, Stirling Energy Systems is in the process of deploying tens of thousands of units for domestic solar energy facilities.
- SES Stirling units can offer efficiencies in excess of 30%, and 25kW output.
-Stirling engines were once developed for cars, particularly by GM in the 1960s, and even resulting in a prototype 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity. One reason the program got canceled was because of the slower response and five minute warm-up period.
- Stirling engines are slow to warm up, but in the case of a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the engine can be running constantly to provide electrical energy to the system with no impact on performance.

Additional benefits of using Stirling engines were outlined in an article on Stirling engines for cars:
"The rationale for this work [on Stirling engines, back in the '60s] included the potential for high average thermal efficiency, multifuel capability, low maintenance requirements, smooth operation, and low emissions."

Of course, the history of the Stirling engine has been marred by numerous false starts, and programs that lasted 20 years, but one day got canceled. Hopefully with interest from other industries, as well as in this new environment of relevant technologies and liberal energy-related funding, Stirling power for vehicles will one day be a reality.

Brad Templeton had the same idea many years ago. Check it out at his blog, Brad Ideas.