Hasler, R. (2008). Pellet fired stirling engine : CHP system feasibility study for a multiple-family house in Styria/Austria [Diploma Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://resolver.obvsg.at/urn:nbn:at:at-ubtuw:1-31364
This master thesis describes a CHP - system with the labelling Sunmachine Pellet as an example of a pellet fired stirling engine. In addition a feasibility study of the pellet fired stirling engine - CHP is worked out analysing the technical, economical and legal boundary conditions of the Sunmachine Pellet system for a multiple-family house in Styria/Austria. The feasibility study demonstrates that the Sunmachine Pellet can cover the annual energy demand for space heating and for hot water preparation for the multiplefamily house and would produce up to 10302 kWh/a electricity out of the annual heat demand of the building of 36060 kWh/a. Also it is shown in this study that the annual costs and cumulated costs of the CHP - system are strongly influenced by the annual costs of service and maintenance and the market price for electricity whereas higher market prices for electricity lead to higher cost reductions if the generated electrical power is consumed fully within the multi-storey residential building and lower annual service and maintenance costs would reduce the annual and cumulated costs of the CHP - system. As the Sunmachine Pellet is a very young product there are no figures available about costs for maintenance and service and lifetime of this engine which causes a serious risk for the whole investment. Another element of uncertainty is the price development of wood pellet which doubled e.g. in Austria in 2006 caused by a strong demand. Due to the fact that the statutory single or general approval for being allowed to install the pellet fired stirling engine - CHP in the Province of Styria is still not available it is not possible to install and run a Sunmachine Pellet unit for buildings of private use or commercial facilities within the area of the Province of Styria up to now.<br />