Originators of the thermal power cycle that produces power and refrigeration from renewable sources of thermal energy found at temperatures too low to be economically converted by Rankine and organic Rankine cycles (only 70-200 deg. F.) (21- 93 deg. C)
This simple patented thermal power technology will find its niche converting warm thermal sources into power.
The 6th in a series of experimental power plants is producing electricity and refrigeration on a residential scale. It is fueled simply by the heat in warm water.
Nestled in an Avocado grove on the edge of the Florida Everglades, the patented low temperature thermo-cycle utilizes renewable thermal energy at its most economical collection temperatures (105-160 deg. F.).
The cycle appears promising for remote homes and small businesses fueled by solar, geothermal, co-generation, and even OTEC.
Low temperature thermal sources are projected to produce power for 10% of the cost of comparable photovoltaic (PV), & 50% that of concentrated solar and diesel power generation.
An independent thermodynamic analysis by SATOP (NASA's Space and Technology Outreach Program) concludes that theoretical efficiencies are 15% improved over comparable Rankine cycles heated to 150 deg.F.
That's the difference between 'profitable' vs. 'uneconomical'.
A series of successful prototypes have culminated in a residential-scaled demonstrator, currently undergoing initial testing and tweaking.
This is a thermodynamic cycle invented in 1995 by Jeff Sterling of Miami, Fl. It should not be confused with the unrelated Stirling engine invented in 1816.
The Future Has Arrived
Matteran Energy is the developer of a thermal power plant, fueled by extreme-low-grade thermal energy. These thermal sources are limitless, freely-available, renewable, and for lack of an economical energy technology, have found no use as fuel....until now.
A scalable prototype has been developed in South Florida.
Our industrial supporters, ConocoPhillips Petroleum, and GEA Heat Exchangers, provide modest assistance in their fields of expertise.
Contact Jeff Sterling to join forces as a leading supporter in the emergence of a whole new energy supply, and the technology we've developed to harness it.
In general, any freely-available thermal source, capable of providing a temperature differential of as little as 40 degrees Fahrenheit above or below ambient, can be used by Matteran's power plant for conversion into electricity, hydrogen fuel, refrigeration & air conditioning.
Today, these low-temperature energy sources are ignored as sources for power, because their temperatures are too low for efficient utilization by the only other known thermal power cycle: the Rankine cycle and its derivatives.
By eliminating the prime component of the Rankine cycle's inefficiency, the Matteran cycle more efficiently converts temperatures of 80-212 degrees Fahrenheit into electricity, hydrogen fuel, refrigeration & air conditioning.
