Re: Wind farms power questions


"Just A User" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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DirtBag© wrote:
"Just A User" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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DirtBag© wrote:
I was driving out I-10 near Indio, CA looking the huge Wind Powered
generators ( Wind Farms) returning from AZ yesterday and started
wondering just how much electricity these things produce.. and at what
cost. In N. California we have them in the Altamont Pass. But many are
in disrepair. If I remember correctly they were a tax strategy more
than a power producer in the 80's and 90's .. Many designs. Some
pretty cool looking... I would like to go off the grid someday and
wave goodbye to PG&E. Many of my friends use Solar and Hydro now in N.
California. On the northern coast there is always a steady flow of
air coming off the Pacific Ocean. Has anyone the numbers on these
things ( costs, power generated , etc.) and care to share the info.
I did research into keeping my future house in TX off grid. Right now,
wind is cheaper per kilowatt than solar, but wind is extremely location
dependent as solar is less so. If you desire to be completely off grid,
the batteries for electrical storage are pretty pricey. If you can live
with still be tied to the grid but want to reduce your use of PG&E power
you can get a grid tied inverter and go without batteries for much less.
Of course your mileage may vary depending usage.


Friends use some mountain streams and collection ponds for Hydro power.
They use a simple car alternator setup and forklift batteries ( huge and
you need a forklift to move them) One guy has a series of ponds that he
trickles water to ( very steep vertical ) then runs it into a series of
pipes to a extruder about a 1/4 inch in size which hits the alternator
blade and runs down another pipe to a lower pond and so on and on. As he
lives very remotely Grid power is out of the question. He and his family
have lived like this for years and I am always impressed not hearing the
noises of solenoids clicking on and off in his house etc. He does have a
HUGE propane tank for cooking and the refrigerator. I sleep so soundly
there it is amazing how quite a off-grid house can be. Btw: he also has
several medium size solar panels which follow the sun I believe as well.
Over all cost was mainly his batteries. He has a small CAT so he built
his own ponds and clay / plastic lined them.. The serve as swimming holes
and fish bonds as well. Pretty impressive lifestyle IMO. As he is on a
wind protected side of the mountain he said he had a guy 'rate' his wind
potential but it was determined not to be sufficient in relation to the
associated costs.

-DirtBag©



Off grid living is really a lifestyle. My land in TX is in a valley, Not
really windy, but very very sunny. So I plan to have a solar array for
most of my power needs, with a generator as a backup. Hydro is out of the
question for me. Land is mostly desert, probably just a couple of steps
above death valley. My area only gets 9 inches of rainfall a year.


How would you cool a home in such a 'warm' area with just solar? My
assumption would be building it partally subterranean which I have seen in
Cave Creek, AZ After spending last week in AZ w/ 103-113 degrees 'warm' I
dont' know if I could function or even stay alive! Maybe I am just a whoose
<grin>. I realize that one adjusts to climate to some degree.. but 24-7
Death Valley type weather really takes a special love of warm climate IMO.
Generating the amount of power necessary to supply a A/C unit's amp
requirement seems cost prohibitive. However if you do have line access ass
well for the A/C during the heat months.. ( In Death Valley it would be
about 10 months I assume) Then I can see it all coming together... Have
you looked into subterranean? The one I am refering to was quite efficent
and had lots of natural light. Building costs I was told were actually
quite reasonable though the owner had access to several pieces of heavy
equiptment.

-DirtBag©


.

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