Re: Wind farms power questions

DirtBag© wrote:
"Just A User" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:xoCdnUFmO_yMLOfbnZ2dnUVZ_g6dnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
DirtBag© wrote:
"Just A User" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Kt6dnV-y2pynBefbnZ2dnUVZ_tmknZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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©


Well in a dry climate like west TX they use what is called a "swamp cooler" which cools through evaporation of water which is put into the air. I don't know all the specifics, but I have read that they are much more efficient than "normal" a/c in a dry climate. Subterranean would be interesting, I don't know how feasible it would be it's almost completely flat.

Ken
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