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solar photovoltaic power
Sterling Engine on poles of moon good idea?
Sterling engines can generate power from differences in temperature (a hot spot and a cold spot) without using or expelling any other fuel.
Would this not be the perfect way to generate power on the moon at the poles (where there is always a hot and cold side to be exposed to) and therefore a great start to a moon base?
(I think solar power [photovoltaic] is way, way too impractical - both financially and in other ways).
oops. "Stirling" engine
I mentioned the poles because the moon has a one month day (it's dark for a couple of weeks and light the other couple). Only the poles would have both every day. The engine would have to rotate accordingly.
I’m certainly not an expert, but I don’t think you would even need to have them at the poles. Due to the lack of any atmosphere on the moon, there are temperature extremes just based on sunlight vs. no sunlight. One could, in theory, have the opposing ends of the Stirling generator aligned to the sun. I think there are a few satellites and space probes that use Stirling engines for power. The problem comes from that it would take a large number of Stirling generators to power a base, but it sounds possible. During the day, the temperature is 253 degrees Fahrenheit (123 C). At night, the temperature is -387 F (-233 C). If that differential holds true in sun vs. shade, then there is more than enough to power a rather large Stirling generator.
While the poles receive more sunlight per day, I'd assume that they'd be used for water ice mining rather than generator placement. With a few generators strategically placed on the moon, you could get power constantly.
State regulators approve SDG & E Solar Initiative The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday approved a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG & E) The solar initiative provides for 100 megawatts (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.
