Stirling Engines - the power of the future?

Stirling engines are having a bit of a revival. What are they, and how do they work? Could they generate our electricity in the future? See the follow-up video:    • Stirling engines - an old idea that's lead...   Support me on Patreon:   / lindybeige   More ranty videos here:   • Rants   I like machines that show their workings. You can see all the parts of a stirling engine doing their jobs. Stirling engines are simple, but use a principle that may be unfamiliar to many viewers. One thing that you have to remember from your science classes is that gases expand and contract very rapidly indeed, making this sort of engine practical. Stirling engines are not very powerful nor do they have great power to weight ratios. I know of one annual boat race that takes place in England on a river using stirling engines, and it is somewhat sedate. Lindybeige: a channel of archaeology, ancient and medieval warfare, rants, swing dance, travelogues, evolution, and whatever else occurs to me to make. You can now buy the music I use over the end-plates of my videos, which was written as the theme music for The Adventures of Stoke Mandeville, Astronaut and Gentleman: https://lindybeige.bandcamp.com/releases ▼ Follow me... Twitter:   / lindybeige   I may have some drivel to contribute to the Twittersphere, plus you get notice of uploads. Facebook:  / lindybeige   (it's a 'page' and now seems to be working). Google+: "google.com/+lindybeige" website: www.LloydianAspects.co.uk    / user  "Lindybeige"