There is another way to get off the grid, even if only for some cooking needs. You can build a solar oven. They are easy to build and easy to use. Cardboard, aluminum foil, some glue, tape, staples and you are ready to cook.
Here is a link to a page dedicated to solar oven plans. There are some foldable solar ovens that can be purchased. But why take away the fun of constructing your own. A great learning project for the kids, great home school science project, and home "green" economics.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Alternate Energy Solutions
In reading all the discussion on how to get the USA onto a green energy economy, there is alot of talk about large scale electrical plants from wind farms to solar plants. One of the issues that arises from these types of developments are the need for additional grid infrastructure to carry the produced electricity to the end users.
Perkin's Plan calls for large scale wind farms down the middle of America over the plans to capture the almost constant wind there and convert it to electricity. The problem is the expense of adding grid infrastructure to carry this "free" energy source.
Though these large scale plants over some needed escape from the oil economy, it is still expensive.
To me the best solution is local small scale electrical generation. Solar water heating, photovoltaics, and wind generators installed on residences, commercial and industrial buildings would put the power generation right at the point of use relieving the need for added grid being built.
Perkin's Plan calls for large scale wind farms down the middle of America over the plans to capture the almost constant wind there and convert it to electricity. The problem is the expense of adding grid infrastructure to carry this "free" energy source.
Though these large scale plants over some needed escape from the oil economy, it is still expensive.
To me the best solution is local small scale electrical generation. Solar water heating, photovoltaics, and wind generators installed on residences, commercial and industrial buildings would put the power generation right at the point of use relieving the need for added grid being built.
Monday, November 10, 2008
HHO Games and Expo
One of the alternate energy technologies I've been studying is the electrolyzing of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The normal method uses a cathode and anode in water or an electrolytic solution (acidic or alkaline) with a divider between the two elements and separate hoses to collect the hydrogen and oxygen in separate compression tanks.
This is being pursued as a fuel for our nation's fleets of cars and trucks. There is research being done now to develop more efficient electrolyzing methods to produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles.
One method of utilyzing hydrogen is being pursued by researchers, both professional and amatuer. The electrolyzing of water into its component HHO gasses (Hydrogen and Oxygen) without the separation, and using this gas to fuel or augment the fuel in an internal combustion engine.
Many researchers are working on designs that fit in the engine compartment of a vehicle and produce HHO at enough volume to supply HHO to the engine while in operation, rather than producing the HHO and storing it in tanks to be drawn from as needed.
Doing a google search on HHO finds many devices that claim to perform. Be ware of those, as there are many scams out there for these products. But there are some devices that do perform. This is not some easy box to mount, wire and plumb into any engine system. There are matters of adjusting the oxygen sensor circuit, to allow for the differences in oxygen in the system and get a proper leaning of the gasoline or deisel fuels.
This Veteran's day there will be an Expo for those who are doing this work in HHO production for vehicles in Palmetto, Florida at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. The HHO Games and Expo promises to be one of the first of its kind. With many demonstrators there and investors looking for the next great HHO device.
This looks like an exciting event for alternate energy.
This is being pursued as a fuel for our nation's fleets of cars and trucks. There is research being done now to develop more efficient electrolyzing methods to produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles.
One method of utilyzing hydrogen is being pursued by researchers, both professional and amatuer. The electrolyzing of water into its component HHO gasses (Hydrogen and Oxygen) without the separation, and using this gas to fuel or augment the fuel in an internal combustion engine.
Many researchers are working on designs that fit in the engine compartment of a vehicle and produce HHO at enough volume to supply HHO to the engine while in operation, rather than producing the HHO and storing it in tanks to be drawn from as needed.
Doing a google search on HHO finds many devices that claim to perform. Be ware of those, as there are many scams out there for these products. But there are some devices that do perform. This is not some easy box to mount, wire and plumb into any engine system. There are matters of adjusting the oxygen sensor circuit, to allow for the differences in oxygen in the system and get a proper leaning of the gasoline or deisel fuels.
This Veteran's day there will be an Expo for those who are doing this work in HHO production for vehicles in Palmetto, Florida at the Manatee County Fairgrounds. The HHO Games and Expo promises to be one of the first of its kind. With many demonstrators there and investors looking for the next great HHO device.
This looks like an exciting event for alternate energy.
Friday, November 7, 2008
EV Three Wheeler Deisgn
R Q Riley has the designs for making your own three wheel vehicle which you can choose the power plant. These designs were show cased in Popular Mechanics in the 70's and 80's. The Tri-magnum is one of these designs. Cost runs $3500 plus motorcycle used as the base. Power plant is extra cost, unless you use the motorcycle motor.
The XR-3 is one of their newer models.
The XR-3 is one of their newer models.
EV, Electric Vehicle
Along with all my others considerations in the renewable energy is running vehicles on electric.
Recharging electric vehicles, EV from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind generators makes this a truly green fuel. The efficiency of full electric car runs about 80% verses less than 30% for a liquid fuel operated car. Running on biofuels would be a first step to renewable fuels, and would be a good idea for long range vehicles.
Most of our driving is short range, commutes to work, and shopping. These short range trips can best be served by full EVs. Hybrids are a compromise that allows people to stay on the gasoline economy, but they are still at best 30% efficient at using their fuel.
Advancements in batteries already have a car reaching over the 100 mile per charge range. With lead acid batteries the range is close to 40 miles, which covers the average trip from home for most Americans.
In considering operating a vehicle on electric only, I have considered converting an existing gas operated vehicle to electric. Such a conversion can cost $20,000 as long as you supply your own labor, up to $40,000 to have someone else do the work for you.
The best ideas I've come across start from the pavement up, and redesign the car to be electric from the start. First is to design only the car you need. If your main use is only as a commuter vehicle, a one or two seater may be all you need. As such a much lighter vehicle can be designed. A three wheel design, allows light weight, with a full enclosure for all weather use. A single wheel motor can be used, and design considerations are then to handle the battery weight and size needed to attain an acceptable range.
Speed is the another consideration. There are many electric vehicles hitting the market that are in the NEV, or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle range. This range is limited to 30 mph roads, and are little more than built up golf carts.
A three wheel vehicle can be designed to have highway speeds and a range of 40 miles.
Here is a You Tube presentation of wheel motors. These have been in development since 1890. When gasoline internal combustion engines won out over electric, this development was placed on hold. The recent resurgence interest in EVs has brought this development back into play.
I consider this to be the best solution as you get rid of the loses of power in a standard drive train. Wikipedia article on wheel motors.
Recharging electric vehicles, EV from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind generators makes this a truly green fuel. The efficiency of full electric car runs about 80% verses less than 30% for a liquid fuel operated car. Running on biofuels would be a first step to renewable fuels, and would be a good idea for long range vehicles.
Most of our driving is short range, commutes to work, and shopping. These short range trips can best be served by full EVs. Hybrids are a compromise that allows people to stay on the gasoline economy, but they are still at best 30% efficient at using their fuel.
Advancements in batteries already have a car reaching over the 100 mile per charge range. With lead acid batteries the range is close to 40 miles, which covers the average trip from home for most Americans.
In considering operating a vehicle on electric only, I have considered converting an existing gas operated vehicle to electric. Such a conversion can cost $20,000 as long as you supply your own labor, up to $40,000 to have someone else do the work for you.
The best ideas I've come across start from the pavement up, and redesign the car to be electric from the start. First is to design only the car you need. If your main use is only as a commuter vehicle, a one or two seater may be all you need. As such a much lighter vehicle can be designed. A three wheel design, allows light weight, with a full enclosure for all weather use. A single wheel motor can be used, and design considerations are then to handle the battery weight and size needed to attain an acceptable range.
Speed is the another consideration. There are many electric vehicles hitting the market that are in the NEV, or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle range. This range is limited to 30 mph roads, and are little more than built up golf carts.
A three wheel vehicle can be designed to have highway speeds and a range of 40 miles.
Here is a You Tube presentation of wheel motors. These have been in development since 1890. When gasoline internal combustion engines won out over electric, this development was placed on hold. The recent resurgence interest in EVs has brought this development back into play.
I consider this to be the best solution as you get rid of the loses of power in a standard drive train. Wikipedia article on wheel motors.
Absorption Chillers
Absorption chillers are one way to use solar to cool your home or provide refrigeration needs.
One company I found producing systems that work in this way is Yazaki Energy Systems , in Plano, Texas. This system is available from Solarsa located in Tampa.
Here is a You Tube video about absorption solar air conditioning. This is the information for the Debs Park Adubon Center featured in the video.
One company I found producing systems that work in this way is Yazaki Energy Systems , in Plano, Texas. This system is available from Solarsa located in Tampa.
Here is a You Tube video about absorption solar air conditioning. This is the information for the Debs Park Adubon Center featured in the video.
Solar Air Conditioning
That's right, you can cool your house or building with the heat of the sun!
There is an old cooling process that those in the RV industry use. It is the moving of gasses from one state to another by heating them. It is called adsoption or absorption.
Here is the part of the Wiki article, Solar Cooling, that discusses this process.
There is an old cooling process that those in the RV industry use. It is the moving of gasses from one state to another by heating them. It is called adsoption or absorption.
Here is the part of the Wiki article, Solar Cooling, that discusses this process.
Solar Thermal Cooling
Active solar cooling wherein solar thermal collectors provide thermal energy to drive thermally-driven chillers (usually ADsorption or ABsorption chillers.)
There are multiple alternatives to compressor-based chillers that can reduce energy consumption by 80%, with less noise and vibration. Solar thermal energy can be used to efficiently cool in the summer, and also heat domestic hot water, and the building in the winter. The Audubon Environmental Center in Los Angeles is one example among many).[5] Single, double or triple iterative absorption cooling cycles are used in different solar-thermal-cooling system designs. The more cycles, the more efficient they are.
In the late 1800s, the most common phase change refrigerant material for absorption cooling was a solution of ammonia and water. Today, the combination of lithium and bromide is also in common use. One end of the system of expansion / condensation pipes is heated, and the other end gets cold enough to make ice. Originally, natural gas was used as a heat source in the late 1800s. Today, propane is used in recreational vehicle absorption chiller refrigerators. Innovative hot water solar thermal energy collectors can also be used as the modern "free energy" heat source.
Efficient absorption chillers require water of at least 190 degrees F (88 degrees C). Common, inexpensive flat-plate solar thermal collectors only produce about 160 degree F (71 degree C) water, but several successful commercial projects in the US, Asia and Europe have shown that flat plate solar collectors specially developed for temperatures over 200 degrees F (featuring double glazing, increased backside insulation, etc.) can be effective and cost efficient.[6] Evacuated-tube solar panels can be used as well. Concentrating solar collectors required for absorption chillers are less effective in hot humid, cloudy environments, especially where the overnight low temperature and relative humidity are uncomfortably high. Where water can be heated well above 190 degrees F (88+ degrees C), it can be stored and used when the sun is not shining.
For 150 years, absorption chillers have been used to make ice (before the electric light bulb was invented).[7] This ice can be stored and used as an "ice battery" for cooling when the sun is not shining, as it was in the 1995 Hotel New Otani in Tokyo Japan.[8] Mathematical models are available in the public domain for ice-based thermal energy storage performance calculations.[9]
Coupled with zero energy building design, this could significantly reduce the buildings needs for electricity as all the cooling could be handled by the sun. When the demand load is greatest, during the hottest part of the Florida day, this system is at it's best!
Renewables in Lee County Florida
I start a new chapter in my blogging life. I started this blog to record my investigation into the alternate, renewable energy field. I live in Cape Coral, Florida and will concentrate my focus on local programs and reports.
I also will link to other sites outside our sunny state, that have good ideas applicable to our alternate energy development.
As far as I currently am aware, there are no forum or focus groups on my area that discuss and promote alternate energy.
Ray Judah, Lee County Commissioner who just won his bid for reelection, is involved with renewable energy programs and I have emailed him today to inquire about any forums in our area or to start one.
I found this report on the Lee County web site, Alternative_Energy_Proposal .
This is a hopeful step in the right direction. Part of my present concern is that with all the talk in political circles from the president elect on down to the local level, about alternate renewable energy production. There seems to be little taking place on the local level.
Here in Florida we have a solar insolation average of 5.62 in Miami. This means that we have an average of 5 solar hours a day available to all south Florida homes, and this carries about the same through out the state.
This alone is one renewable energy solution that could save our state billions of dollars that we now spend purchasing fuels from other states to energize our homes and businesses.
Solar water heating for water and building heating needs, and photovoltaics for electric production is a feasible solution for Florida.
There are at present a number of new solar plants in construction in Florida. I think these are part of our solution, but I see some limitations in these solutions. Each new solar plant built must also have a corresponding build up in the grid infrastructure to distribute these new energy producers. There are inherent power loses as this energy is distributed across the grid to the end consumers. If the grid goes down, as we have seen happen in many areas of the country in the last couple of decades, we lose this source of power.
I think the best solution utilizing solar is in consumer based energy production. Photovoltaics installed on the very buildings, (homes, schools, offices, stores, industrial), that use the electricity that is generated. This does not require any build up to the grid infrastructure, and enlists the consumer directly into this clean technology.
Present electrical generating utilities could operate programs that assists consumers in installing photovoltaic systems and thereby reduce the need for more electrical plants needing to be built. Either by directly funding photovoltaic installations, and/or purchasing the excess power generated by consumers' systems at retail prices.
I know that Lee County Electric Coop purchases its electric from Seminole Power generating utility. If this and other generating utilities in the state would use their capitol investment funds to fund consumer installed systems, it would benefit all in the short and long term.
I also will link to other sites outside our sunny state, that have good ideas applicable to our alternate energy development.
As far as I currently am aware, there are no forum or focus groups on my area that discuss and promote alternate energy.
Ray Judah, Lee County Commissioner who just won his bid for reelection, is involved with renewable energy programs and I have emailed him today to inquire about any forums in our area or to start one.
I found this report on the Lee County web site, Alternative_Energy_Proposal .
This is a hopeful step in the right direction. Part of my present concern is that with all the talk in political circles from the president elect on down to the local level, about alternate renewable energy production. There seems to be little taking place on the local level.
Here in Florida we have a solar insolation average of 5.62 in Miami. This means that we have an average of 5 solar hours a day available to all south Florida homes, and this carries about the same through out the state.
This alone is one renewable energy solution that could save our state billions of dollars that we now spend purchasing fuels from other states to energize our homes and businesses.
Solar water heating for water and building heating needs, and photovoltaics for electric production is a feasible solution for Florida.
There are at present a number of new solar plants in construction in Florida. I think these are part of our solution, but I see some limitations in these solutions. Each new solar plant built must also have a corresponding build up in the grid infrastructure to distribute these new energy producers. There are inherent power loses as this energy is distributed across the grid to the end consumers. If the grid goes down, as we have seen happen in many areas of the country in the last couple of decades, we lose this source of power.
I think the best solution utilizing solar is in consumer based energy production. Photovoltaics installed on the very buildings, (homes, schools, offices, stores, industrial), that use the electricity that is generated. This does not require any build up to the grid infrastructure, and enlists the consumer directly into this clean technology.
Present electrical generating utilities could operate programs that assists consumers in installing photovoltaic systems and thereby reduce the need for more electrical plants needing to be built. Either by directly funding photovoltaic installations, and/or purchasing the excess power generated by consumers' systems at retail prices.
I know that Lee County Electric Coop purchases its electric from Seminole Power generating utility. If this and other generating utilities in the state would use their capitol investment funds to fund consumer installed systems, it would benefit all in the short and long term.
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