Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Random question on power technology

[Michael <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

> I was reading some of the mlug stuff, as well as slashdot, and had a random
> question for people:
> A)  What alternative power supply technologies are there out there?  I know
> there are probably several solar power supply vendors, but the question I
> guess is how do they tie into battery backup systems for sunless times,
> where to find costs for setup and running of such systems, how they're going
> from DC to AC current, etc.

I'd suggest a mixed system of solar and wind. This'll give you fairly
reliable power throughout the year. I think most systems usually charge
the batteries and then the batteries power things. I don't think most
people set it up such that the household is powered directly and only
switched to the batteries when the power fails. An inverter is used to
convert from DC to AC or if you want more effiency at the cost of $ and
effort they have DC appliances. Most people go with the inverter unless
it's just a summer cottage or something. Try looking at homepower.com.

> B)  Are fuel cells a viable option for power supply systems?  What are the
> costs of fuel cell technologies?  What options are there out there?

Fuel cells are usually better for things like cars because batteries are
heavy and slower to charge than filling a tank. For powering a house you
suffer more ongoing costs with fuel cells than solar or wind. Obviously
you have to keep buying and hauling in fuel from someone too which could
be a pain.

> C)  Any other alternative fuel system options.
>
> The whole thought of this is something like this:  You figure a standard
> house could use over $200.00 a month during the winter in electricity.
> Figure on a large house, 5+ bedrooms, etc.  (Yeah I know, how many of us
> will ever see that blah blah blah).  Well, if you figure 200 a month, for
> say 6 months, and 130 a month for the other 6 months.  That's almost 2000 a
> year.  If you figure you could at least cut some of your costs by a massive
> chunk through solar panels, battery systems, etc. over 10 years, that's a
> big savings.

It's not cheap setting up your own power source but the longterm costs are
typically a lot lower than paying your utility bill. If you have a credit
card with low interest and a high limit or some other way to cough up the
sizable initial investment a full switch could save you maybe half off
your utilities over the lifetime of the equipment you buy. IMO the freedom
you get of not being responsible to a utility company is more important
than the financial relief. If you have less finances but want to save some
money try setting up a batteryless system. You hook solar panels (or if
you have room a windmill) up to your house and take what power you can
from it, the rest comes from the utility company. What power you use but
don't use s sold back to the utility company. Allowing your bill to be
dramaticly lowered.

> Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, new technologies they see, etc.?

If you want a nice place to start try out the solar packback. You can
power a laptop or other small appliances from it.
http://www.solardyne.com/solpowpaccom.html

Or look for the iSun which is < $100 and lets you run things like cell
phones, gameboy, etc from it.
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