Eco Factor: A high-altitude airship that runs on clean energy from the sun.
As a part of the aviation industry’s increasingly desperate attempt to cut costs and go green, many new designs that run on alternate fuel are taking shape. The Stirling Solar-Electric Airship design is one such concept for the future. The ergonomically sensuous high-altitude airship, designed by Laurens Rademakers, uses the principle of a Stirling Engine to stay afloat for long periods of time. The Stirling engine works on the principle of the heat difference between the layers of the ship. The greater the heat difference, the greater the energy produced. By using a solar dish to capture solar energy and to translate it into heat, the airship can produce enough energy to keep it afloat even at night.
Energy storing batteries, lightweight body design and its position in the sky make it perfect for harnessing solar power to the fullest. It can be used for communication, monitoring and keeping an eye on eco-changes.
The Dark Side:
The fancy futuristic design might never actually be a concept that will take shape in the real world. Like many other green concept designs, it seems to be just destined to the drawing board with extravagant requirements. The efficiency and maintenance of a Stirling dish at that altitude and with the consistency the airship demands has not been tried or tested. If used for monitoring operations it could give away the stealth factor easily as it is easy to pick up on infrared imaging.
Via: Create the Future Contest
