Clean Energy Source to Power NOAA Long-termObservation and Monitoring Networks

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: Creare proposes to develop a self-sustained small-scale power conversion system to power NOAA’s weather monitoring network stations located in harsh uninhabited locations. Our miniature heat engine will take advantage of the existing year-round thermal gradients found between water and air in Arctic regions. Our baseline approach is the development of a compact Turbo-Rankine energy conversion system using a natural working fluid with advanced turbo-alternator and heat exchanger technology. The system will leverage decades of advances at Creare in the performance and miniaturization of turbomachines, heat exchangers, and lowpower thermodynamic systems such as turbo-Rankine and turbo-Brayton,generators and cryocoolers. In Phase I, we will validate our performance models with laboratory testing of a small turbine utilizing the selected working fluid at prototypical heat source and heat sink temperatures. During Phase II, we will fabricate and demonstrate a complete prototype system in an environmentally controlled low-temperature research facility.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Creare’s compact Turbo Rankine Energy Conversion system will enable a new paradigm for compact thermally-driven power systems. Due to the unlimited supply of heat sources and heat sinks, provided by the ocean and ambient air, our system will provide unlimited and unattended clean energy to NOAA’s sensors and monitoring networks. These capabilities are critically needed for scientific, commercial and military operations. The core technology is also broadly applicable for power generation from a wide range of alternative heat sources