Jim Baughn

Sources of Power - PreviewHuman and Animal PowerFire Introduction to electricityMechanical GeneratorsWind PowerWater PowerSolar PowerFuel CellsNuclear PowerTypes of FuelSafetyQuestions

Source of PowerIf you have enough people, enough time and

enough personal power, You could build a pyramid.

Source of PowerHorses, Mules, Oxen and other draught

animals supply power to pull wagons, plows, grinding wheels and carry people.

Sources of Power - FireFuel

WoodCoalGasolineNatural GasSyngas

Power GenerationHeat boiler

Steam Turbine, Wheels,

PropellerThermocouple

A Quick Introduction to ElectricityTwo Types

Thomas Edison’s Direct Current Flashlight Great amount of loss when being transmitted over

wire

Nikola Tesla’s and Westinghouse’s Alternating Current Used in household appliances

However internally many appliances use DC Can be sent for many miles will little loss

A Quick Introduction to ElectricityElectricity’s Route

From a Source – Must supply enough power for the load

To a Load – Must be the same type of current as the Source

Power FormulaP(power) =I (Current) * E (Voltage)

Most homes consume Kilowatts (thousands of watts) of power

Fuel Driven GeneratorsFuel can be gasoline, propane or gasified

biomassThey can be manually started (pull rope)Electrically startedAuto started

AC Generators

Ground System

Solar Power Expansion

Generator ProblemsFinite source of fuelIf electric start, you must maintain the

battery and terminalsRun the generator at a minimum of once per

month or mix “Stablize” with the fuelIf it is a pull start generator, it is much easier

to start when warm, keep it in a warm location, wheel it out to use (CO2 is a bad thing.)

Sources of Power - WindWind Power Kit – About

$800Coleman sells a wind

turbine kit600 watt wind turbineMultiple Function

Charge ControllerWill need batteries andAn expensive tower

Indiana Wind Power

Sources of Power - WaterMicro Hydro

10 feet of fall with 20 gallons/minute 40 Watts

100 Feet of fall with 100 gallons/minute 1100 Watts

If you plan to dam a stream, even on your own land, be prepared for lots of red tape.

Mechanically you will be cleaning out debris from the screens

As long as the water runs, electricity will be generated 24/7

Solar Power – Heat SourceSun heated systems that turn a steam turbineMechanically complex

Devices to heat waterOne used to see such devices on roofs

Not so much anymoreSolar Cooker

Solar Power - PhotoelectricSolar Panels convert photons from the sun

into electricityThe Electricity is sent to a charge controller

if using batteries to store the power for when the sun doesn’t shine

Batteries store the powerAn inverter is used to convert the DC to AC

for most household appliances

Coleman 55 Watt Solar Generator KitThree solar panelsCablesMounting Frame7 Amp Charge Controller200 Watt InverterNo BatteriesIn the range of $350I am using two combined with 2 Trojan T-105

Batteries to operate my communications equipment and computers

Trojans cost $150 each

Solar – Grid Tie SystemLease a whole house solar systemEnergy you don’t use is sent into the

commercial power system.During those times, your meter runs

backwardSaves most of the commercial electric costHowever, there is not provision to save the

powerWhen the Commercial system goes down, at

night you will have no power.

Sources of Power - NuclearTry to obtain Plutonium

Red TapePlant would not fit on

your land, unless you are a Texan

Dad expected atomic batteries to be developed

Sources of Power – Fuel CellsAlkali fuel cells operate on

compressed hydrogen and oxygen.

They generally use a solution of potassium hydroxide (chemically, KOH) in water as their electrolyte.

Hydrogen and Oxygen are the fuel

DC electricity and heat are produced

This is an example of one of about six types of fuel cells.

There are kits available for a few hundred dollars

Types of Fuels - GasolineFill containers to about 95%Cap containers tightlyOnly use gasoline containersStore out of direct sunlight at about 80 DegreesDo not store near an ignition source (gas

furnace or water heater for example.)Use a stabilizer or use gasoline regularly (once

a month test of the generator for example.)Don’t have all containers empty when the

power goes out!

Type of Fuel - DieselEnsure that the fuel is not in contact with any surfaces containing

zinc or copper or compounds containing those metals (eg. Brass). Establish a regular fuel maintenance program to ensure that

water and dirt is removed from storage tanks. This will also remove any chance for fungus to grow.

Water should be drained from the storage tanks weekly. The frequency can be extended if the tank shows no tendency to collect water but should be done at least monthly.

Tanks should be kept full to reduce the space for water to condense.

Regularly turn the fuel over. If possible, plan the fuel usage so that it will all be used within 1-5 years and replaced with fresh fuel.

Types of Fuel - PropaneStore in a well ventilated areaStore way from any ignition sourceStore so the relief valve is in direct contact

with the vapor. Standard propane tanks should be stored vertically.

Syngas using GasificationA method of converting

wood to gas much like propane.A fire is buildA tank, with a ‘nozzle’,

containing wood scrap is placed in the fire

The wood goes thorough a process producing syngas.

The resulting vapor can then piped to an engine set up to run gas vapor.

FEMA’s Simplified Gasifier

SafetyBatteries under charge emit hydrogen (remember

the Hindenburg?)Do not place arc producing items above the

batteriesFuse the batteries close to the terminals with DC

fusesUse the proper size cablesTiewrap cables togetherKeep AC away from DC in separate breaker boxes

Use AC breakers for AC onlyUse DC breakers and fuses for DC only

Questions?