Alternative Energy projects

[3930dave]

I would prefer electric, DC or AC, over gas off-grid. It just seems easier than keeping a propane tank filled and the energy cost is fixed at the time you buy the off-grid system.

I agree, for totally off-grid. I'll probably go DC (even on-grid), if I get a Sunfrost.

I'm on-grid presently, so Nat-gas was on my mind. As food refrigeration is one of the major non-discretionary energy expenses, I'm also curious in general as to why Nat-gas fridges are not common. It is a simple design that tends to run almost forever (maybe a clue there ? ), and if you have Natgas in the house already, that gets you around the propane re-supply issue/costs.

I see no technical reasons for Nat-gas to be not used for on-grid refrigeration...... just musing aloud here in case I missed something....

Rgds, D.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't see any reason to go completely off the grid, but I do see a lot of advantages to decreasing my dependency on what I use from the power company. Same thing with food. The more I can provide for myself, the farther my dollar will go and the better my standard of living will be. One of my future projects will be a solar well to water the garden.

Eddie

 

[buickanddeere]

Any LP fridge or freezer will operate just fine on NG with a larger gas metering orifice.

 

[3930dave]

Any LP fridge or freezer will operate just fine on NG with a larger gas metering orifice.

Household natgas pressure is low, so that makes sense.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I don't see any reason to go completely off the grid, but I do see a lot of advantages to decreasing my dependency on what I use from the power company. Same thing with food. The more I can provide for myself, the farther my dollar will go and the better my standard of living will be. One of my future projects will be a solar well to water the garden.

Eddie

Those are good points Eddie, that sit well with many people that hang out here. Post about what you use in the garden, that would be popular.

People have various motivations to go totally off-grid. The classic (and still valid) one was building on a remote site - even years ago, the cost to run a line significant distance was high, and has only climbed higher in recent years.

More recently, some jurisdictions have come to treat electricity as a license to Tax, or Pillage, depending who owns what..... quite the cost range shows up in the What on Earth does electricity Cost near You ? thread.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

In the First World, it is easy to forget how big a change these well-designed and installed alternative power projects can make:

Africa-shaped solar plant lights up Rwanda - CNN.com

Rgds, D.

 

[davesl708]

Great project. Hope it works out in the long run.

 

[buickanddeere]

Wind and solar are intermitant and require energy storage . Energy storage per Kw hr is expensive, requires service , has chemical and environmental hazards. Bulky and heavy. All backed up with a diesel or gasoline generator .
Most "green" energy projects use fossil propane or natural gas . To carry the high demand loads of a refrigerator , stove, water heater, clothes dryer and central heat.
The definition of a green energy building is rather flexible.
Operation of a shop or business on "green" is even more daunting .
About the only place where solar assist to clip peak power from 9:00AM to 3:00PM are applications without the untility having sizable base load 24/7 generation. Hawaii comes to mind with diesel gen sets, gas turbines , limited hydro electric and extremely high utility rates.

 

[buickanddeere]

...while waiting for cheap, fast, high-capacity battery technology.

There are and will not be cheap high density batteries unless the Almighty adds some new elements to the periodic table. There is lead, NI-MH and lithium for portable energy storage. Sodium may have a place for stationary applications .
Engineering firms will keep making promises and press releases about the next generation battery just around the corner. Of course they will as they make a living from research grants .
The next generation energy storage will have to be as different from a horse is different tech from a tractor .

 

[buickanddeere]

another duplicate post