Affordable Alternative Energy Sources

Hydro is by far the best, a good hydro location is on par with nuclear, and coal, in cost per kW installed. Ocean current, and run of the river, turbines are very low cost as well. Wind turbine's aren't too expensive. Everyone seems to like solar, but the costs are actually way too high. Geothermal might be very cheap too, if you can drill it cheap, I don't know why drilling a well costs so much as they say. Large (+/-1.5MW) wind turbines cost 3000-4000 USD per installed kW, a good hydro location will cost about 400-800 per kW. That's average output kW NOT rated capacity kW. Wave energy is also very good. In most locations though, wind power rules.

Here's the best site in the world to learn about wind power:

http://www.windpower.org/en

I think building large windturbines is the way to go. The manufacturers that build them are backed up in orders for about 2 years. Such a high demand will naturally drive their price up. Building crude windturbines may be 20% less effcient, but they'll cost 50 or 70% less.

What's the price per kW, there in South Africa?

solar energy collector, and methane.

in china countryside, they are using widely. cheaper and easy bulding and use...

can you ellaberate? solar energy water heaters? Is the methane from wells? I know in vietnam they use methane from human and animal waste, this would be good n' cheap.

those are very useful for peasants in countryside or in developping countries.

good and cheap as you said.

vietnam is neboor of our china. you can visit our chinese web for more information.

we hve shot such science film, so that I know it for many years ago.

it has fast developed today in china contryside.

it solves thier problem of living.

I dont believe that some west person can make more better project than ours for poor district.

Do you have any pictures or info on how to build any of those items?

I think a number of people on this blog site are interested in helping developing countries.

thanks

New to CR4. We're building a prototype micro-home for people in need and have just purchased 2 125 watt collectors and regulator, inverter, and 4 6v deep cycle batteries. Price??? Almost $6000AU ($1AU = $0.90US). I think we are paying far too much.

It appears that China has been manufacturing efficient solar technolgies for quite some time. Can you point me toward sourcing in some quantity the best value for $$$? I'm sourcing solar hot water and photo voltaic systems. Does anyone have photovoltaic roofing material?

Thank you. Harry

The power generation at landfill sites (as done at Durban) should accelerated.

The polluted water in the Klip (south of Johannesburg) and the Jukskei (north west of JHB) could be used to settle previously disadvantaged farmers to produce sugar (if suitable to the climate) or maize for the production of biofuels. The flow in both rivers are on the increase and desperately need to be removed to protect the downstream side.

For clarity for CR4. SA is short on water therefore hydro has almost reached its limits. We are however using hydro pumping / generation to balance peak requirements. (Pump water with surplus power and generate in peak demand periods)

I think our immediate aim should be to save as much as possible.

Office building owners should be targeted.

In a typical 16 story building there are about 120 x 10' lights per floor with no provision to switch off some. (1/3 to 1/2 the lights would be sufficient on sunny days)

The toilets are fitted with geysers that is running all day without anybody really using warm water (the males at least).

The air conditioning is at full blast. The first persons uses a heater to prevent freezing while the last on the line is sweating.

and and...

I tough sliding scale may force the owners to spend some money and reduce power consumption.

It just so happens that we of the APIX-SEP project have targeted South Africa as a possible location for pilot plants. Also, The South African government is about to pass some very comprehensive policy legislation which would allow you to receive some tax break help for establishing a company to further develop alternate energy projects of your own. If you are serious about this, contact APIX-SEP for help and advice. You can also contact me via CR4 and I can give you some names in South Africa who can help you develop this. Believe me, you government is one of the leaders in alternate energy and is moving forward rapidly. You may also use MESS-SEP for ideas, too. However, the MESS-SEP project is targeted more toward the more effluent USA market. It can be scaled down and used in South Africa if you like.