Whisper Tech, operating out of Christchurch, New Zealand, has completed capitalization and started operations of its joint venture with Mondragon and Meridian Energy to manufacture its WhisperGen microCHP (combined heat and power) Stirling engine generator. The system will be produced in Spain for distribution throughout Europe.
The Stirling engine in the WhisperGen is arranged in a 4-cylinder configuration with a unique “wobble-yoke” connection between the cylinders and the electric generator. It uses a natural gas flame to provide heat and the household’s water supply to provide cooling, but in theory could work by burning any biomass material to provide a temperature differential. The Stirling engine connects to an alternator to provide up to 1,000 watts of electrical power into a home’s grid, as well as 7.5-12 kW of heat energy directly into the water supply, which can then be used for radiant heating or can tie directly into the water heater.
In addition to this on-grid system, Whisper Tech has a WhisperGen off-grid system available for marine, automotive, and off-grid home use. This off-grid system uses diesel fuel to power the Stirling engine, and can output 800 watts of electrical power at 12 or 24 volts, along with 5.5 kW of heat energy. Because the WhisperGen uses an external combustion heat engine, it should be very easy to convert the generator system to run on biodiesel; in addition, the WhisperGen system has a noise level of only 55 dB when running, thanks again to the Stirling heat engine.
The WhisperGen off-grid system is popular in large motor yachts, where it can burn the same diesel fuel the boat runs on (at a much lower noise level) to provide electricity and heat for the living quarters.
