A Case Study of the Development Experience of Using a Prototype Stirling Engine in A Novel Bioenergy Driven Co-Generation Plant in Bolivia

Abstract

The necessity for green technology to generate power in rural regions is becoming more widely recognized. Stirling engines have attracted a lot of interest in recent years due to their relative ease of maintenance and simple design. Practical experience from the operation and maintenance of the Stirling engine Genoa-01 in Bolivia is the subject of this case study. The project uses a trial-and-error approach to maintain the engine in order to find relevant lessons that may be used in training of power plant personnel based in locations with limited technical resources. Analysis of the information gathered during the study identified the main challenges to overcome for small, decentralized power technologies as supply chain of spare parts, technical capacities, and promotion of the technology.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was done with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); the Division of Applied Thermodynamics and Refrigeration, Department of Energy Technology at KTH Royal institute of Technology in Sweden; and Universidad Mayor de San Simon (UMSS) in Bolivia.

Notes on contributors

Luis A. Choque Campero

Luis A. Choque Campero is a Ph.D. student at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. He is studying the integration of the Stirling engine as a part of a power system for rural areas in Bolivia. He is an electromechanical and environmental engineer. His research focuses on creating innovative ways to generate power in rural areas without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Adhemar Araoz

Adhemar Araoz is a research scientist who earned a Ph.D. from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. His research focused on thermos-fluid modeling and thermodynamics of Stirling engines. He now works at Modelon AB as an expert for modeling and simulation of thermal solutions for the industry.