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Anonymous Poster

reneweble energy

01/13/2008 8:23 AM

sir,

here is my question

let us take a village which don't have any connections with the outer world and it is not having any alternate energy source to produce electricity like solar, wind,hydal geothermal, biomass etc.,. For this villege if we want to produce electricity how can we generate it?

please send me a solution for this .

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Guru

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#1

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 9:40 AM

Human powered generators would work for small amounts of electricity.

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Guru
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#14
In reply to #1

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 3:47 PM

This approach has been observed to work well especially in cases where children can be given playground equipment that functions to do useful work. There are available several examples using carousels that are operated by children to operate water pumping systems.

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Guru
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#16
In reply to #14

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 6:19 PM

You kids go outside & Play I'm thirsty!!!!!

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Guru

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#2

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 1:08 PM

Sounds like you just need a simple diesel gen set, with a decent sized fuel tank...

These guys can help...

http://www.allworlddieselgen.com/

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#3

Re: renewable energy

01/13/2008 2:41 PM

You can try the following! You set up a fat-farm (gym) but you fit generators to provide for a load on the treadmill, cycle trainer and weights. The (paying) participants can then provide you with Kilo watt while working off the kilo's. (fair exchange no robbery)

You say "it must be renewable" - place a candy counter at the exit. (100% renewable guaranteed)

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Power-User
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#10
In reply to #3

Re: renewable energy

01/14/2008 8:25 AM

Kilo watt, I like it!

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Power-User

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#4

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 5:31 PM

Actually, if you want to keep this place from being madernized as the rest of the world is today..........you will need to think this whole mess over real well. First, if you bring in a portable generator, that is capable of supplieing enough usable power to this village, a nice 20KVa generator will run you around $25K. Then you will need to have an ample supply of fuel, wich is around $3.50 per gallon. Average tank loads for these types of generators are 500gln. And at a rate of 100gl per 24hour, So 500gln @ $3.50pg = $1750.00 per load. And at 700glns per week, ~ $2500.00 just for the fuel, and not even including the transportation to the remote site.

Depending on the out-put load factor of the generator, it will cost you this much on a weekly process.

I would actually recommend you spend your money on an alternitive type of power source to feed a large generator. It is not cost effective and environmentally safe for a remote village being exposed to petrolium fuels from the outside modern world. Windmill would be the best for your case, less expensive overall, and very cost effective.

The simpler the materials used for your efforts, the less of an impact it will have on the remote village in the long term effects. Petrolium based fuels will eventially poison this remote wilderness and start a one way route in their demise. Solar magnification power generators is the best way to make it all happen.

Good luck, Maximo

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#5

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 7:21 PM

If the village has a river close by, you can probably put up a dam. Alternatively, the newer hydro-gens that work off the flow of the river might be alright.

If the village has ample wind, you can try wind-generators. There are lots of types to choose from.

A number of companies or foundations have put up solar cell power systems in villages. I think Siemens is one of them.

I salute you for taking the time to help these people. Good luck.

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Active Contributor

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#6

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 11:30 PM

A DC system would most likely work best unless you are trying to power modern electronic devices desidned for AC I'd think a remote area would be most interested in lighting.

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#7

Re: reneweble energy

01/13/2008 11:34 PM

if there are people, they are eating. they are growing crops or the eat tree produce. so something grows there. if this village is anywhere in india, there will be natural stands of pongamia pinnata or a new stand can be got to yield in 3 to 5 years. the oil of pPinnata can run diesel engines. so there... you have an eternally sustainable power for a remote village. read the story of the first of tens of villages that have successfully gone this way: Link

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Commentator

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#8

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 1:53 AM

Is there a village like this existing or is it just a hypothetical question? I can't think of a village which does not get either sunlight or wind?

I presume from your statement, `let us take a village which don't have any connections with the outer world', the people living in this village may be tribals who have not seen even electric lights. Light (I mean light when it is dark outside) being one of the basic necessities, I would suggest setting up solar and wind energy should be the best alternative since you do not have to constantly transport fuel to run any other generators and disturb them.

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#9

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 5:26 AM

you have not specified what use you are going to make of the electricity. that will set your requirements and then it is easier to make a choice about how you wish to generate it. How big is the village (number of houses)? How much money is available? A diesel generator is a simple solution from one point of view, but will require an infrastructure to distribute it, and it's noisy and smelly and requires maintenance. How fair / equable will the electricity distribution be? there are a lot of things to consider.

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Anonymous Poster
#11

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 11:13 AM

Nice question !!!

I. Get a old USSR nuclear submarine with some uraniumfeul, Job is done, HA!!

----> Russian Roulette!!!!!!!!!!!

II. Wait on Fusion Micro Power Station Solution........!!!!!

-----> just a dream ?????????? .:.:.:.

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Guru
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#17
In reply to #11

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 7:29 PM

Great idea!

So now all they have to do is to lift the darn thing and transport it to the village. Then they have to teach the villagers nuclear technology and power generation. Finally, they mark the surrounding area as a "potential nuclear blast zone" so that they can stay isolated.

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Associate

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#12

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 1:07 PM

The question "What is the electricity to be used for?" is the most important question.

If it s to be for seeing in the dark, I would suggest a quantity of head torches with l.e.ds and rechargable batteries that can be charged from small photo electric panels.

Each person has a torch that lights the area in front of his eyes - most things except humans do not need light - and a personal charger the owner is responsible for his or her light and charging therof.

The result:- Everyone can see what they are doing after dark - cost very small - easily delivered and maintained.

From experience any machine breaks down and stays that way in a very short time.

The cost can be calculated by the population - one set each. The only additional cost being replacing batteries eventually.

For television reception use a treddle machine to charge a 12 volt battery whilst watching. For pumping water use human or animal energy - no fuel cost.

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#13

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 1:37 PM

Recently there was a program on tv that discussed your exact situation and things being done to help people in yoyr situation. The technology required only one (1) watt of energy to light an entire room from a battery that could be charged from solar power during the day.I seem to recolect that they could furnish power for an entire village from the single battery... I can not recall the program but will try to locate those that are doing this work........If anyone reading this reply saw the same program, they should also make an effort to aid you.... Good luck!!!

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Participant

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#15

Re: reneweble energy

01/14/2008 4:23 PM

This question is a very interesting one, the only problem is that you have not specified important information in regard to the village and community. For example where, who, application & use of electricity, terrain, environment, climate, local resources & needs of community. Tell me, why is a village that is isolated from the outside world all of a sudden need power supplied to the village? If the village is isolated as you say the solution lies within the immediate context - immediate environment, climate conditions & local knowledge. From personal experience (Australian Indigenous Communities) With any electrical system implemented into an isolated community/village the people within that community need to take ownership so training of maintaining such systems need to be put into place for the community otherwise the novelty of such innovations/technologies would be lost thus introducing Appropriate Technologies. By not providing the villagers with this technical training, knowledge & understanding people from outside the village will have to maintain such systems which may lead to economic problems, communication problems, ignorance of technology which may lead to the distruction of such a system. Many of the other replies have highlighted Diesel Generators from my understanding of the situation this may be quite difficult! For example transportation of fuel, buying of such a commodity(communication), technical knowledge & understanding, noise, unappropriateness of the technology - non-renewable resource, maintainance & other variables to be considered. My suggestion even though you have stated not to use Wind or Solar, would be to use reneable energy systems that can be generated from the immediate context/climate of the village & community. Another idea could be to develop a system of boiling a liquid that could be powerful enough to turn a turbine (very similar to a coal fired power station/Nuclear power station) to generate enough electricity to power the community. This could also provide power to a series of batteries for back up! Hopefully this may help

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Power-User

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#18

Re: reneweble energy

01/15/2008 3:44 AM

Methane gas- this is produced by bacteria digesting organic matter- this is practised in India etc- the gas will power almost as well as petrol(actually burns cleaner, slightly lower btu)- then again why do you want electricity- wouldn't you be far better off living in the past(wouldn't the whole of man made pollution diminish?)- IF ALL the power using polluting countries were made responsible!(& that will never happen till GOD steps in!)- I guarantee that if all of mankind had to live as grandparents had to(ie- physical effort, no electricity, it would be a great step for health & happiness).

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Power-User

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#19

Re: reneweble energy

01/17/2008 9:59 PM

Fantastic question! My compliments, Guest.

Since my favorite is off-the-grid and net-zero energy homes, I will approach this project from the viewpoint that the homeowner or hut owner wants to be independent of utility prices, and because of the vulnerability to sabotage or catastrophic failure and utility grid unavailability in rural areas.

Intrinsically this will establish renewable goals as we seek to burn nothing by using no internal combustion engine, and by using thermodynamic science to make the hut comfortable, with electric light, pump or blower for HVAC and maybe electronics. Hopefully we can do this with commonly available or (read inexpensive) junk yard parts.

First, because heating and cooling draws the most energy I would imitate, and then improve on, nature's perfect dwelling – the cave.

Residential structures should take advantage of geothermal energy by construction either partially or totally under ground. This will eliminate the greatest part of having to heat and cool the building and usually leave only 15 degrees or less delta-T to bring the interior to 72 F. Of course copious day-lighting should be included in the design. Use efficient insulation and sealing methods to prevent infiltration.

Second appropriately positioned and colored thermal mass (rock, cement or water) should be used to capture solar flux that charges into it during the day (such as a slab or chimney structure/fireplace) and releases it slowly during the night. Moveable insulation can be used to direct the discharging thermal mass either in or out of the abode. Next make sure the building is oriented to capture the most passive solar energy as the sun travels across its zenith.

Next, design a HVAC system using natural convection to draw air from the coolest (or warmest) side of the home up through a chimney (siphon) affected air mass. An underground tube system (sometimes called cool tubes - but they can be warm according to climate), can be used to circulate geothermal heat (or cool) through the home. The air can be filtered by washable filtration and dehumidified by sheet desiccant that recharges from the sun. If water is available, an evaporation cooling system such as a roof-pond or wet rock bed can be utilized. Of course and indoor fireplace and wood stove in cold climates.

If there is no sun, wind, running river or creek to provide electricity, a fairly conditioned man can produce about 50 watts on a bicycle generator. One hour of pedaling can produce light for the evening by using compacts. Limited electronics can be run with a family plan for exercise. Machines, pumps and blowers can be run the same way but the items may have to wait until photovoltaic and battery bank can be afforded, and or wind or hydro appears at the site.

There are some technologies that can produce electricity from heat by using a Carnot-cycle (mechanical, acoustic and Johnson variations of the) Stirling engine. The sun can drive any of these external combustion engines by parabolic concentration of solar flux. Heat can also be used to drive steam turbines.

Finally for this post, I will suggest solar cooking – elegant, pollution free and easy to design and make. They save enormous amounts of pollution.

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Power-User

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#20

Re: reneweble energy

02/01/2008 11:54 AM

How much electricity do you need? The power of prayer doesn't do?

If you have a temperature difference, you can use steam, thermo-electric, etc., but you can't do that without solar, biomass, or something hot. Since you have ruled out almost everything, you might try having the chief's wife ride a stationary bicycle with a generator on it.

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