Since the GyroSole™ Energy System captures heat near the point of consumption, not only may the inevitable "waste heat" associated with the generation of mechanical or electrical power be used in beneficial ways, but the heat may be stored for use at more convenient times. The economic value of this heat resource offsets some of the cost of electric power generation.
Since the current market value for thermal energy is approximately 2 ¢/kWth, and since, with a 25% thermal efficiency for the heat powered engine approximately three times as much energy is provided in thermal form as is provided in electrical form, in applications for which all of the thermal energy may be usefully consumed, the effective electric power cost is offset by 6¢/kWeh. The estimate for the cost of electric energy shown in the following table is calculated based on reducing the SoleI cost of electric energy (12¢/kWeh) by the GyroSole™ credit (2 ¢/kWth X 3 kWthlkWeh = 6 ¢/kWeh) for the value of the thermal energy.
In contrast, the closest technologically related systems are large centralized SEGS (Solar Electric Generating System) solar power plants located far from the point of power consumption. Thus, waste heat thermodynamically and inevitably associated with the generation of electricity cannot profitably be exploited. Furthermore, the process of transmitting power over long distances inevitably incurs a loss of efficiency and comes at an additional infrastructure cost. Finally, mechanical power produced at the SEGS plants cannot profitably be exploited for efficient use in driving machinery or performing other work at the point of end-use.
Photovoltaic solar panels represent another technology for the generation of electric power at the point of use, and are widely distributed. However, PV systems do not take advantage of the full heating potential of solar energy, as does the GyroSole™ Energy System.
