Re: Wind farms power questions


"Hopeness" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"DirtBag©" <dirty@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"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©

Just insulate it with lots of foam, 16 inches of Foam cuts electricity for
a/c to about 1/5 or less.
Add a couple feet of earth or straw over the foam and your really getting
some insulation. Real Goods has some books on doing what were discussing..
with the related R-values.

-DirtBag©


.

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