Stirling

The objective of this project is to test a « free piston Stirling » boiler that produces electricity and heat (cogeneration). The installation is carried out at the swimming pool of Plan-les-Ouates for a period of 4 years. This installation will allow to heat the water of the swimming pool and to realize energy savings and reduce the CO2 emissions.

Cogeneration is very interesting for ecological and strategic reasons.

The electricity is produced during the periods when it is most needed and when the electricity from the grid is the most carbon intensive (in autumn and winter).

From a strategic point of view, Switzerland has to import electricity in the cold seasons, especially from Germany (produced using coal). Cogeneration thus contributes to a better self-sufficiency.

To improve the performance of the system, part of the electricity produced by the boiler is used to power a heat pump. This allows more than 2 kWh of heat to be produced for every 1 kWh of gas consumed.

The free piston Stirling boiler is the result of more than 40 years of development by Mr. Budliger and the company Rudolf Schmid AG. Its main advantage is that there is no friction on the motor part, which allows it to have a service life theoretically as long as that of the boiler.

The « Stirling » boiler has a reduced annual maintenance similar to a traditional gas boiler. Its electrical efficiency is clearly superior to the solutions currently available on the market.