Current events underline my long held view that most rural and outer suburban homes should be equipped a NON ELECTRIC means of heating at least one room to at least 20 degrees, for at least two weeks without any re-supply.

That's given me a thought ... if I could strap a Stirling engine or somesuch to my log burner to generate a few hundred watts of electricity, together with a few kWh of battery (standard tech these days), I'd have sufficient space heating, hot water and electricity to run the house normally quite independently of both the gas and electricity supplies, as long as the logs lasted (which could be quite a few weeks).

   - Andy.

Current events underline my long held view that most rural and outer suburban homes should be equipped a NON ELECTRIC means of heating at least one room to at least 20 degrees, for at least two weeks without any re-supply.

That's given me a thought ... if I could strap a Stirling engine or somesuch to my log burner to generate a few hundred watts of electricity, together with a few kWh of battery (standard tech these days), I'd have sufficient space heating, hot water and electricity to run the house normally quite independently of both the gas and electricity supplies, as long as the logs lasted (which could be quite a few weeks).

   - Andy.

It is certainly possible to generate electricity from a wood burning stove, by use of a Stirling engine or a peltier effect generator, but I feel you may be over optimistic as to how much power can be produced thus.

I have a peltier effect generator on my wood burner, at produces about 2 amps at 12 volts, enough for a couple of 12 volt LED lamps, a small battery is required or the voltage varies too much.

Philips used to make a small Stirling engine generator, known as the "bungalow set" it burned paraffin in an efficient pressurised burner similar to a Primus stove or a blow lamp. Output was 200 watts at mains voltage. Commonly used to power a tv set, and available to rent from TV rental shops.

These had two advantages over a small petrol engine, firstly no ignition sparks to cause interference, and secondly no toxic exhaust fumes, this allowed use indoors.  Other uses included battery charging, or powering fluorescent lights. I am showing my age by admitting to having used one.

heat to electricity is not new but it's not easy to get a lot of power Over the years various folk have had a go. This webpage has a history of gas powered radios for example.
www.douglas-self.com/.../thermoelectric.htm

mike

Steam may give you more power.

The military produced small portable steam generating sets for clandestine operations. They would burn most fuels and were quieter than IC engines. Theres an example here. I had the chance to play with a similar one once.

Mk814 steam generating set - Stock code 1995