The Stirling Engine - Powering Space Exploration and Your Home with Geothermal Energy | Energy Talks

Energy is crucial for survival in space. A prime concern for building a base on the Moon or on Mars is how to supply abundant amounts of energy; reliably, efficiently and continuously with basically no maintenance requirements. Since the 1980’s NASA has been exploring the potential use of an old technology, the Stirling engine to replacement current technology in the harsh environment of space. Being a type of heat engine, any heat source can be used. NASA are planning to use a nuclear source and have demonstrated over 15 years of continuous operation. The talk will discuss the extreme design challenges of generating energy in space. It will then look at the potential use of Stirling engine technology to generate electricity from Alberta’s abundant source of geothermal energy. We will explore if an old technology takes us to the stars and help in the green revolution. David S. Nobes is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta. He teaches in the areas of engineering drafting, design and thermo-fluids. His research areas consider flow phenomena from a macro/micro, experimental-fluid-mechanical point of view that include combustion, turbulent jets, oil sands separation processes, two-phase flows, active control of fluid flows, blood flow in the heart and energy conversion using Stirling engines. To undertake this research, his group has custom developed unique optical measurement systems that have been deployed over a wide range of scales. These advanced laser/image/optical techniques have been funded by a CFI, NESRC and through industrial collaboration. He has supervised more than 70 MSc and PhD students and published more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. This online speaker series is presented in partnership with Future Energy Systems and the Edmonton Public Library. Energy Talks provides an opportunity for you to engage with researchers and learn more about their work. Links: Future Energy Systems: https://www.futureenergysystems.ca/ Future Energy Systems Learning Page: https://www.futureenergysystems.ca/le... Facebook:   / futureenergysystems   Twitter Handle: @ua_futureenergy Future Energy Systems is a $75 million research program at the University of Alberta, funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. More than 130 researchers, 600 graduate students, post docs and other highly qualified personnel in nine faculties are studying the energy transition in over 90 different projects. Our researchers seek to develop energy technologies of the future, improve today’s energy technologies, and understand the transition between the two. We are also studying the effects of energy transition on society, the economy, and the environment. The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community. Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-... Artist: http://incompetech.com/