Green Power- are Stirling Engines real?

Question

Are there reasons why Stirling engines aren't widely used or aren't in production?  I watched a bunch of videos on YouTube and while the Sterlings are varied in size, quality, output and so on, why aren't these sold along side solar panels?  This one in particular is essentially a frenzel  lens/ parabolic mirror that heats it and turns the wheel and could be made with an alternator fairly easily. Solar panel sun trackers are easy enough to use.  What am I missing?  Is this all BS or a crackpot pipe dream? It's not like it's a perpetual engine as it takes heat to run it.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pdqDQwehlk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Say whatever you like about this video in particular but the general idea itself seems strong.

pedro7of9 · Accepted Answer

Stirling's have been around since i can remember,,,my dad got popular science in the 1950s and 1960s,,i remember every 6 months or so a new "breakthrough" would make them the engine of the future,,just like the wankel... }rotary for those that dont know]  there was always a problem with materials,,cost,,cold weather performance or something,,,,I say go ahead and experiment or study  if you want,,,gas/diesel power piston engines are here  for  the long run no matter how much "green" Democrat liberals hate them,,,they r cost efficient ,,dependable,,and getting better every year,

John W · Answer

A Swedish company has built 8 submarines with Stirling engines.   There aren't that many applications that justify the high cost of a Stirling engine.

J. · Answer

Yes, you can get several books on the subject of building them here: http://www.lindsaybks.com 
or more specifically:
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/atkin/index.html
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/haynes/index.html
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/twocyl/index.html
There are often more in the catalogs as well.

Also here for the external combusition engine known as the "Flame Sucker" http://stirlingengines.org.uk/modeng/modef.html

The enginnes have been around since the 19th century, but you will have to do your homework to find the whole story.

They are not the most practical of engines and they have limitations.

If a submarine is actually outfitted with one- I would want screen doors on it too for rapid egress.  Time will tell if it will actually work well.  I have my doubts.

Green Power- are Stirling Engines real?

3 Answers