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?