Is Stirling Energy Model Replicable?
One interesting play domestically is Stirling Energy Systems and its connection to the California RPS. There are now two large projects in Southern California that will benefit Stirling’s technology which was initially developed by Ford in response to the initial energy crises of the 1970s. Its facility outside Albuquerque, New Mexico has run over 33,000 hours with 29.4 percent peak efficiency. The company is a peak demand play due to its high generation costs. Now the company will sell between 500 to 850 MW of power to Southern California Edison by late 2008 under a 20 year purchase power agreement. Power will be generated in the Mojave Desert near existing transmission lines. The second big project for Stirling is with Sand Diego Gas & Electric, to build out from 300 to 900 MW of peak load. The company is going to a new round of private funding soon. Stirling is now positioning itself for a ramp up for high volume production. It is basically a southwestern United States play at the m
