Project evaluation
I feel that I have really benefited from exploring a diversity of renewable energy methods. Using the positive, negative and interesting analysis really helped me to identify which method would suit each need the best, and also brought up some really interesting questions for me to think about and steer my design path towards. And I always find that my ideas become much more clear after putting things down in a mind map, which I did in the connection of elements section.
Reviews
Personal:
For the most part this has been a very challenging project for me. The understanding of electricity needed for me to work through the design, along with the calculations needed for me to create a circuit diagram have just made my head spin for months, I think I may be dyslexic with numbers, my brain doesn't work with them at all. And add electricity into the mix, well, I'm lost. I'm so pleased to have made it through to the end of this project now, and I feel I have really been pushing my edges into areas that I feel so incredibly uncomfortable with.
For the most part this has been a very challenging project for me. The understanding of electricity needed for me to work through the design, along with the calculations needed for me to create a circuit diagram have just made my head spin for months, I think I may be dyslexic with numbers, my brain doesn't work with them at all. And add electricity into the mix, well, I'm lost. I'm so pleased to have made it through to the end of this project now, and I feel I have really been pushing my edges into areas that I feel so incredibly uncomfortable with.
Project:
After so many of my diploma projects have been life based designs and so quite abstract in many ways, this project has actually been quite a breath of fresh air for me. I've really enjoyed being quite straight and to the point, getting all but the calculations part down relatively quickly. I rarely get to include base maps and sector analysis in my designs, and I have really liked to make the most of the fact that images and charts can so effectively show a lot of relevant information in such a small space, without the need for lots of writing and explanation.
After so many of my diploma projects have been life based designs and so quite abstract in many ways, this project has actually been quite a breath of fresh air for me. I've really enjoyed being quite straight and to the point, getting all but the calculations part down relatively quickly. I rarely get to include base maps and sector analysis in my designs, and I have really liked to make the most of the fact that images and charts can so effectively show a lot of relevant information in such a small space, without the need for lots of writing and explanation.
Professional:
As far as alternative living and teaching permaculture, this has been a very valuable activity for me to do. Making steps towards understanding energy independence is huge on the road to self reliance, and even if I may not yet fully understand the finer details of the systems in place, I feel that I have now opened my eyes to the possibilities and the limitations of designing an off grid system, and have now felt first hand how wonderfully empowering it feels to know that I can supply my own power needs independently from the grid, no matter where we are in the world.
As far as alternative living and teaching permaculture, this has been a very valuable activity for me to do. Making steps towards understanding energy independence is huge on the road to self reliance, and even if I may not yet fully understand the finer details of the systems in place, I feel that I have now opened my eyes to the possibilities and the limitations of designing an off grid system, and have now felt first hand how wonderfully empowering it feels to know that I can supply my own power needs independently from the grid, no matter where we are in the world.
Time review:
Possibly 15 hours in calculations
(an extra 3 weeks avoiding doing any calculations)
two weeks writing up
In total from project start to finish: 6 weeks
Project start and end date: Sep - November 2014
Possibly 15 hours in calculations
(an extra 3 weeks avoiding doing any calculations)
two weeks writing up
In total from project start to finish: 6 weeks
Project start and end date: Sep - November 2014
General resources
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090316090535AAk9HRA
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?309642-Solar-panels-12v-or-24v
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=570.0;wap2
http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-saving-refrigerators.html
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090316112533AAHsg3W
http://www.txspc.com/documents/WattageAppliance.pdf
https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/For-My-Home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/Appliances/Refrigerators/General-Info/Electric-Usage-Chart
http://eartheasy.com/live_led_bulbs_comparison.html
http://www.rapidtables.com/convert/electric/watt-to-kwh.htm
http://www.withouthotair.com/c6/page_40.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/StartHere/OFFGRID/OFFGRIDCalculator.html#sunhoursmap
Wind power
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-1000-watt-wind-turbine/ - build your own turbine plans
http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/DIY-1000-watt-wind-turbine.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981920101/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0981920101&linkCode=as2&tag=webconx
http://v3power.co.uk/
Projectors and bike power
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Resolution-Projector-Lumens-Included/dp/B005O0CEZK
http://www.theprojects.com.au/projectorbike/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/question658.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/pedal-powered-generators-zmaz08onzgoe.aspx#axzz3F2PUtBUI
Solar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_system
http://www.homepower.com/articles/pv-systems-simplified
http://www.motherearthnews.com
http://www.wagonmaker.com/
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/
http://www.solar-power-answers.co.uk/design.php GOOD ONE!!
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
http://www.freesunpower.com/chargecontrollers.php SUPER USEFUL FOR EVERYTHING...
http://www.partsonsale.com/learnwiring.htm
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/reference/examples.htm
http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?644-Solar-beginner-24-or-12-volt-panels
http://www.windynation.com/community/threads/system-efficiency-12v-vs-24v-battery-bank.397/
http://www.electronicspoint.com/12v-vs-24v-vs-48v-t182344.html
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php?lang=en&map=europe - good calculator of possible energy output for Spain and Europe
http://photovoltaic-software.com/pvgis.php - same as above
http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/faqs/calculating-your-solar-requirments
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/calculate_your_power_needs.htm
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/sizing_select_batteries_for_off_grid_solar_system.htm
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/sizing_selecting_solar_panels_pv_off_grid.htm#SOLAR_PANEL_SPECS
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?309642-Solar-panels-12v-or-24v
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=570.0;wap2
http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-saving-refrigerators.html
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090316112533AAHsg3W
http://www.txspc.com/documents/WattageAppliance.pdf
https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/For-My-Home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/Appliances/Refrigerators/General-Info/Electric-Usage-Chart
http://eartheasy.com/live_led_bulbs_comparison.html
http://www.rapidtables.com/convert/electric/watt-to-kwh.htm
http://www.withouthotair.com/c6/page_40.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona
http://www.wholesalesolar.com/StartHere/OFFGRID/OFFGRIDCalculator.html#sunhoursmap
Wind power
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-1000-watt-wind-turbine/ - build your own turbine plans
http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/DIY-1000-watt-wind-turbine.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981920101/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0981920101&linkCode=as2&tag=webconx
http://v3power.co.uk/
Projectors and bike power
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Resolution-Projector-Lumens-Included/dp/B005O0CEZK
http://www.theprojects.com.au/projectorbike/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/question658.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/pedal-powered-generators-zmaz08onzgoe.aspx#axzz3F2PUtBUI
Solar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_system
http://www.homepower.com/articles/pv-systems-simplified
http://www.motherearthnews.com
http://www.wagonmaker.com/
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/
http://www.solar-power-answers.co.uk/design.php GOOD ONE!!
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
http://www.freesunpower.com/chargecontrollers.php SUPER USEFUL FOR EVERYTHING...
http://www.partsonsale.com/learnwiring.htm
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/reference/examples.htm
http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?644-Solar-beginner-24-or-12-volt-panels
http://www.windynation.com/community/threads/system-efficiency-12v-vs-24v-battery-bank.397/
http://www.electronicspoint.com/12v-vs-24v-vs-48v-t182344.html
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php?lang=en&map=europe - good calculator of possible energy output for Spain and Europe
http://photovoltaic-software.com/pvgis.php - same as above
http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/faqs/calculating-your-solar-requirments
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/calculate_your_power_needs.htm
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/sizing_select_batteries_for_off_grid_solar_system.htm
http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/sizing_selecting_solar_panels_pv_off_grid.htm#SOLAR_PANEL_SPECS
Some useful advice from the web
On safety
Just because an installation of AGM batteries is easier and cleaner doesn't mean you can scrimp on safety. Though you don't need eye wash, or baking soda or rubber gloves you do need to protect yourself and your system from the power that is stored in all those batteries. There is a reason welders use DC. Accidentally crossing the terminals of even one battery (connecting the positive to the negative of the same battery or series string) can unleash some hellish amounts of energy in a flash (literally). Whenever I am working with batteries I follow a number of precautions...and I use a lot of electrical tape, you can never have enough electrical tape.
Generators
http://www.casolli.com/grupos-de-luz-inverter-c-2.html
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/generators.htm
http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=IAU14008 INTERACTIVE 3 PHASE GENERATOR MODEL!
In a remote camp site where there's no shore power, a generator could be really handy. And the battery system means that you might not have to run your generator late at night to watch TV--you could instead boost your battery with the generator during the day, and keep a silent camp ground at night by running your TV off of the inverter. In our case we'd simply plug the generator into our shore power input, and both run loads directly from it, and use the remaining generator power to charge our battery with the standard NAPA battery charger we haul along with us. Get the biggest battery charger your generator can handle and that you can afford. Generators give you the most watt-hours per gallon of gas when you run them at 50% of their rated load or more, and run time will be much less to fill your battery when using a big charger.
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
Inverters
To pick the correct size of inverter, total up the power draw in watts for all the lights, appliances, and other gadgets that you might be running all at the same time, and pick an inverter with a 'continuous' power output of a couple hundred watts above that. 'Surge' power output that's advertised is not a useful spec--if you ever reach this number in the power you are using, your inverter is too small. Also, be sure to follow the inverter manufacturer's recommendations for wire size from your battery to the inverter--this wire needs to be both thick and flexible.
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
Battery
http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/RE_CompareFLAvsVRLA_0212FL.pdf
- Always tape your tools!
- All tools I will be using around batteries I wrap with electrical tape, from the very tip to the end I will be actually using. That way, if a tool accidentally falls onto a live connection it is unlikely to cause an arc.
- All tools I will be using around batteries I wrap with electrical tape, from the very tip to the end I will be actually using. That way, if a tool accidentally falls onto a live connection it is unlikely to cause an arc.
- Remove all rings, jewelry, watches etc. You don't want to weld yourself to a battery.
- Tape the ends of the cables you are not working on.
- Welding cable is heavy and stiff and the end you are not working on can get you into trouble if you don't tape it. It takes a little more time to tape the cable end and may seem like a waste of time when you are just going to remove it again in a few minutes, but that few minutes of safety could save your life.
- Welding cable is heavy and stiff and the end you are not working on can get you into trouble if you don't tape it. It takes a little more time to tape the cable end and may seem like a waste of time when you are just going to remove it again in a few minutes, but that few minutes of safety could save your life.
- MARK EVERYTHING!
- If you look at the pictures on this page you'll see that all connections are clearly marked either positive or negative and all cables are marked with either red tape (for positive) or black tape (for negative). If you mark all cables and connections clearly and check them twice before connecting them you'll greatly reduce the chances of a fatal error.
- If you look at the pictures on this page you'll see that all connections are clearly marked either positive or negative and all cables are marked with either red tape (for positive) or black tape (for negative). If you mark all cables and connections clearly and check them twice before connecting them you'll greatly reduce the chances of a fatal error.
- Always connect the inverter cables last.
- Make sure the disconnect (you do have one, right?) in the positive inverter cable is open (the power is off, in other words) between the batteries and the inverter when you connect the cables to the buss bar
Generators
http://www.casolli.com/grupos-de-luz-inverter-c-2.html
http://www.backwoodssolar.com/catalog/generators.htm
http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=IAU14008 INTERACTIVE 3 PHASE GENERATOR MODEL!
In a remote camp site where there's no shore power, a generator could be really handy. And the battery system means that you might not have to run your generator late at night to watch TV--you could instead boost your battery with the generator during the day, and keep a silent camp ground at night by running your TV off of the inverter. In our case we'd simply plug the generator into our shore power input, and both run loads directly from it, and use the remaining generator power to charge our battery with the standard NAPA battery charger we haul along with us. Get the biggest battery charger your generator can handle and that you can afford. Generators give you the most watt-hours per gallon of gas when you run them at 50% of their rated load or more, and run time will be much less to fill your battery when using a big charger.
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
Inverters
To pick the correct size of inverter, total up the power draw in watts for all the lights, appliances, and other gadgets that you might be running all at the same time, and pick an inverter with a 'continuous' power output of a couple hundred watts above that. 'Surge' power output that's advertised is not a useful spec--if you ever reach this number in the power you are using, your inverter is too small. Also, be sure to follow the inverter manufacturer's recommendations for wire size from your battery to the inverter--this wire needs to be both thick and flexible.
http://www.otherpower.com/popup.html
Battery
http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/RE_CompareFLAvsVRLA_0212FL.pdf
On bicycle power
After doing a little research, I found that an efficient bike generator pedalled by a reasonably fit person can produce about 100 watts of continuous output. An experienced biker can produce a peak of more than 400 watts, but peaks don’t count for much when it comes to pedal power generators. Assuming an ambitious exercise period of one hour, a person could produce about 100 watt-hours of electricity. That is one-tenth of a kilowatt-hour (1 kilowatt-hour = 1,000 watts for 1 hour).
Most of us pay our local utilities about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, including taxes and surcharges. By getting our heart rate up and breaking a sweat for an hour, we could produce 1 cent worth of electricity. Not much incentive, I thought.
With the electricity produced by an hour of pedaling, we could light a 100-watt incandescent bulb for an hour, or power a 20-watt compact fluorescent bulb for about five hours.
Pedal power is a fun idea that does generate usable amounts of electricity, but it’s easy to understand why a human-powered device can be viewed as a trinket without a meaningful role in a household’s energy supply. Nevertheless, some pedal generators are used regularly to do serious work. The critical factor to making pedal power a viable option is matching expectations with realistic output.
Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/pedal-powered-generators-zmaz08onzgoe.aspx#ixzz3Eo8skcuW
Most of us pay our local utilities about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, including taxes and surcharges. By getting our heart rate up and breaking a sweat for an hour, we could produce 1 cent worth of electricity. Not much incentive, I thought.
With the electricity produced by an hour of pedaling, we could light a 100-watt incandescent bulb for an hour, or power a 20-watt compact fluorescent bulb for about five hours.
Pedal power is a fun idea that does generate usable amounts of electricity, but it’s easy to understand why a human-powered device can be viewed as a trinket without a meaningful role in a household’s energy supply. Nevertheless, some pedal generators are used regularly to do serious work. The critical factor to making pedal power a viable option is matching expectations with realistic output.
Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/pedal-powered-generators-zmaz08onzgoe.aspx#ixzz3Eo8skcuW