Ecology of consumption. Estate: Today we will talk about alternative energy sources. Electricity tariffs are rising day by day. And in some areas, connect to backbone networks and there are practically no possibilities at all, since the cost of wiring and installation is prohibitively high.
When technological progress does not help, humanity begins to think about natural sources of the necessary energy, thanks to which it is possible to heat and light up your home. Here are the main ones:
- bio waste,
- wind energy,
- heat pumps,
- solar energy.
Let's consider the idea of creating a generator from biowaste. Its action will be similar to natural gas: waste is placed in a closed container, as a result of its decomposition, methane and hydrogen sulfide with carbon dioxide are released. Such energy sources are used on livestock farms, and those who wish to learn from the experience must either have their own farm or regularly receive its waste and store it somewhere. Many people who have private homes are engaged in farming (for example, they keep chickens), so it’s quite possible to try.
To create a generator you need a container that will be hermetically sealed. A special auger must be mounted in it in order to mix the waste. Also, in addition to the hole for loading biomaterial, a gas outlet tube and a fitting for removing waste waste are needed. By the way, they can be used to fertilize the land and obtain good harvest. I repeat that the tightness of the container is extremely necessary, otherwise no energy will be created. If the container will not be used constantly, then it will also need a valve to relieve pressure.
So, choose the size of the container depending on how much biomaterial you plan to use. Select a location to install the structure. Keep in mind that 1 ton of waste approximately produces 100 cubic meters of gas. In order for the process to develop more dynamically, it is necessary to organize heating of the container. To do this, you will need either a coil or a heating element installation. Bacteria contained in waste become active when heated.
When the container heats up to the desired temperature, the heating should turn off automatically. The resulting gas is converted into electricity through a gas generator.
To use wind energy, you will also need a generator, a battery with a controller to measure the charge level, and a voltage converter. All wind generator circuits operate on the same principle. The rotating unit, blades and generator on the frame are attached to the assembled frame. Then a shovel with a spring coupler is mounted. The generator is connected to the rotary unit and a current collector is installed. Next, the wires are connected to the battery. When choosing a propeller, pay attention to its diameter: this value determines what number of blades will be optimal for your wind generator, and, in fact, how much energy it can generate.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the installation and installation of electricity generators. Of course, a certain skill is required, but what can’t you do in order to save money! Just remember that energy sources (bio-waste and wind) must also be constant.
The next type of alternative energy source is a heat pump. Its design is more complicated, and installation is more expensive, since it involves drilling wells on the site. Therefore, it is unlikely to suit an inexperienced owner country house. In addition, a reservoir will also be needed.
Let's dwell briefly on solar batteries. They are a little easier to assemble because you can buy ready-made solar cells. They are marked with wattage ratings in volt-amps, so you can calculate how many solar cells you need.
To assemble the solar panel housing you will need a sheet of plywood. You will nail wooden slats to it and drill holes for ventilation. Inside it is necessary to place a sheet of fiberboard on which a ready-made (soldered) chain of photocells will be placed. All that remains is to check the functionality of the chain and screw on the plexiglass. That's probably all.
As you can see, it does not require any special labor, nor does it require a scientific degree in physics. And you can also combine the operation of several options for electric generators. In general, to create an alternative energy source on your site you need a little ingenuity and a clear head. published
The cost of energy resources increases regularly. This forces owners of private households to look for alternative energy sources for their private homes. Someone does not have the opportunity to connect to the main line due to the unaffordable cost of installation work. All this forces engineers and craftsmen to turn to nature and its unique resources. Today, a number of devices are used to renew energy resources. You can make them yourself.
Application of biological waste
Biogas is a type of fuel classified as environmentally friendly. Its scope of application is similar to natural gas. Its production requires the use of anaerobic bacteria. In fact, it is a product of their vital activity. Waste is placed in a special container. When the biomaterial begins to decompose, gases are released:
This technology is actively used on livestock farms in China and the USA. To continuously obtain biogas at home, you must have access to a free source of manure or your own farm. To construct the installation, you will have to make a sealed container and install an auger. It is used to mix ingredients. Other required components:
- 1. Neck. Used for waste disposal.
- 2. Branch pipe. It is used to remove gas.
- 3. Fitting. Allows you to unload waste material.
Absolute tightness is an indispensable condition of the design. If you do not take gas on an ongoing basis, you will have to additionally install safety valve. It will relieve excess pressure. If you do not install it, the roof of the structure will be torn off. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 1. Select a place to mount the container. The dimensions of the product must correspond to the volume of available waste. It is advisable to fill the tank 2/3 full for it to work efficiently. The tank is made of reinforced concrete or metal. Having a small capacity, you don’t have to count on large number biogas. Approximately 100 cubic meters of energy per ton of waste.
- 2. To speed up the life of bacteria, it is necessary to heat the waste. For this purpose, you can install a heating element or mount a coil directly under the container. It should be connected to the heating system.
WE DO NOT PAY FOR ELECTRICITY! Free ENERGY! Do-it-yourself alternative energy for the home
Anaerobic bacteria live in waste and become active at certain temperatures. The automatic type device turns on the heating as soon as a new batch of material arrives, and turns it off if the set temperature is reached. The gas obtained in this way can be converted into electricity using a gas power generator.
Wind energy
People in ancient times knew how to use wind energy for various purposes. The design has changed little since then. True, instead of a millstone they began to use a generator drive. It converts the energy obtained as a result of the operation of such an installation into electricity. Considering alternative sources of thermal energy, some owners of private houses opt for these installations. The following materials will be required for the installation of structures:
Homemade wind generators can be created using various schemes. First you need to assemble the frame and install the rotating unit. Following them, blade generators are installed. Install a shovel equipped with a spring tie on the side. A generator with a propeller is attached to the frame. After this, it must be placed on the frame. After this, a connection is made to the rotating unit and a current collector is installed. Now you can connect to the generator and connect the wires to the battery. The number of blades depends on the diameter of the propeller. Also important has the amount of electricity generated.
Alternative energy for a private home. Video review
Using a heat pump
This design is complex. Here, alternative energy can be obtained from the air, soil or underground waters. Typically, these installations are used for heating a room. Alternative energy sources for an apartment of this type are a refrigerating chamber of impressive size. By cooling the surrounding space, they convert energy and generate heat. They give it away environment. The components of the system are:
The collector can be installed horizontally or vertically. Last option not always accessible due to the nature of the site. Deep wells are drilled, after which the circuit is lowered into them. When positioned horizontally, the object should be buried in the ground at a level of one and a half meters. If your home is located near a pond, you need to install a heat exchanger in the water.
The compressor can be taken from the air conditioner. To make a capacitor, take a tank with a volume of 120 liters. A copper coil is inserted into it. Freon will pass through it. This is also the area where the water from the heating system warms up.
To construct the evaporator take plastic barrel. It must have a volume of at least 130 liters. An additional coil is inserted here. Combine it with the previous one using a compressor. The evaporator has a pipe. It can be made from a fragment sewer pipe. This element is necessary to control the flow of water from the reservoir.
Lower the evaporator into the pond. When water flows around it, it starts the process of freon evaporation. It goes into the condenser and transfers heat to it. The coolant passes through the heating system and heats the room. Thus, energy can be obtained from water with your own hands without special effort. In this case, the temperature of the water in the reservoir does not matter. All you need is its constant presence.
Alternative heating sources
Solar radiation
Solar panels were once used to power spacecraft. The basis of such equipment is the ability of photons to generate electric current. Today, many modifications of solar panels have been invented. Their design is improved every year. To make a solar battery with your own hands, you can resort to two methods.
According to the first method, you should purchase ready-made solar cells, assemble them in the form of a chain and place transparent material on top. This work requires extreme care, since all components are fragile. On the surface of photocells there is a designation in volt-amperes. There is nothing difficult in calculating the required number of elements for such a system.
First you need to make a body. For this purpose, take a plywood sheet and nail slats of wood around the perimeter. After this, ventilation holes are installed in the plywood. A fragment of fiberboard is placed inside, on which there is a soldered chain of photocells. Following this, they check how well the design works. Next, screw the plexiglass onto the wooden slats.
The second method is more suitable for professionals. Analysis of the electrical circuit is carried out using D223B diodes. They are soldered in rows. Place elements in the housing that are closed transparent material. There are two types of photocells. These are mono- and polycrystalline modifications. The former have an efficiency of 13%. Their service life reaches 25 years. They can work without failures only in sunny weather.
The issue of energy saving and providing oneself with the most profitable and inexpensive resources probably worries every owner of a private home. I would like to organize the most comfortable conditions accommodation.
In many ways, the energy supply of housing plays a significant role. Since not only the availability of electricity, but also the work may depend on this heating systems, For example. Since private homes often have more possibilities for organization autonomous system power supply, no need to reset this advantage from accounts, but it’s worth taking advantage of all the available benefits.
Very often, unfortunately, providing an autonomous power supply system can cost a pretty penny. What to do if it is not possible to cover such expenses? In such cases, alternative energy sources for the home come to the rescue, but is it possible to create them yourself?
What types of autonomous power supply and energy supply are applicable on your own site?
Since it is not possible for the majority of the population to buy expensive equipment for converting solar or wind energy into electricity or heat, it is worth considering other options for providing yourself with the necessary resources at a much lower cost.
For example, it is worth considering the following options:
- Generator from bio-waste;
- Heat pump;
- Homemade solar panel;
All of the above equipment will be several times cheaper than purchased special equipment. Of course, its productivity may not be as high as that of industrially manufactured devices, however, this may be quite enough to provide energy for one average residential area.
Is it possible to create alternative energy sources for your home yourself?
So, let's figure out how to create it yourself and use resources alternative energy for a private home.
- Let's start with the use of biowaste. At home, you can create a generator that will work according to the principle of operation natural gas. If you place waste in a container that is completely closed, decomposition processes will begin, resulting in the release of methane, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. This gas will then be converted into electricity using a generator. The only thing to remember is that in order to function of this equipment you will need a constant supply of waste.
- A heat pump may also be a good option. But it is worth noting that this device is not very easy to create. It may require a body of water to function. Therefore, this type of alternative energy production is not suitable for everyone.
- As for solar panels, then this source of alternative energy for the home can be created with your own hands, and for this you will need much less effort. Photocells for them are sold ready-made. Calculate required quantity It’s also not difficult, because the power will be indicated on them. In addition, you will need wooden slats and plywood sheets. The entire structure is assembled quite simply and is one of the most affordable options.
In order to assemble one of these alternative energy sources for your home with your own hands, you do not need deep engineering knowledge. All it takes is a little effort, time and patience. But even if difficulties arise, remember that by spending energy and money once, you will receive equipment that will save them in the future and make your life much easier.
Tariffs for “classical” energy resources (gas, coal, gasoline, oil) are steadily increasing day by day. And this is understandable. After all, humanity has long traditionally used non-renewable energy sources. And although there are many of them in nature, they are still limited in number. Someday the time will come when they will run out. And you will have to switch, at least on a private level, to something else. Make alternative energy sources for your home with your own hands - best option for a private owner, owner of a small building or compact production that does not require huge energy costs.
Forecasts of economists and scientists
Some scientists warn: natural resources, used by humanity, may not be enough for representatives of current generations, not to mention descendants! It is estimated that in modern conditions an ordinary family spends up to 40 percent of its budget on paying for electricity, heating, and gasoline for a car. And according to conservative forecasts of economists, this share could grow to 70%! Therefore, for many representatives of the so-called middle class (and not only) alternative energy sources for the home, created with their own hands, are an excellent and very economical way out of the current situation.
Most Popular
In fact, almost any natural factor can be converted into energy. For example, wind, sun, water power, warmth of the earth's interior, decomposition of biomass. The most popular are the use of alternative energy sources from the sun and wind. However, this issue has not been sufficiently addressed at the legislative level. In theory, all resources belong to the state. Therefore, using such types of alternative energy sources as wind power or solar radiation, you will most likely have to pay a tax.
Wind
This kind of thing has been used for a long time (a striking example is windmills, which existed in ancient times). About forty years ago they began to actively build wind power plants. Alternative energy sources for the home, created with your own hands (mini wind generators), as a rule, consist of special blades for capturing wind, connected to the generator directly or through a gearbox. It must be borne in mind that such a device is effective only in areas where there are constant winds (for example, on the sea coast). You also need to remember that wind turbines will only be effective with a mast height of fifteen meters or more (which is quite problematic in the private sector).
Varieties
There are low-speed windmills. They are designed for wind speeds of up to six meters per second and are characterized by the presence of many blades (sometimes up to thirty). Such devices are low-noise, start even in light winds, but have low efficiency with a fairly large windage. High-speed wind turbines use winds of up to fifteen meters per second. They have three or four blades, are quite noisy and have high efficiency. Of all the species, they are the most common in the world. Rotary wind generators have the shape of a barrel with vertical blades. They do not require orientation to the wind, but they have the lowest efficiency.
How to use
It is quite easy to install wind turbines as alternative energy sources with your own hands. First you need to mark a place for the mast in the yard or in convenient location in an area where the wind constantly blows (having previously analyzed the location). It is necessary to lay a strong foundation so that the high (preferably more than 15 meters) mast is firmly held on the ground. A windmill (or several devices) should be chosen to be high-speed. You can buy it in a store, or for those whose hands have “grown properly”, you can make it yourself according to the appropriate drawings. There is now quite a lot of such information in the media and specialized literature.
Choose the option that, according to user reviews, seems the most reliable and feasible to use. When connecting the machine, as experience shows, it is better to call a professional electrician. He will probably tell you how to connect your windmill correctly, even if there is a tutorial and instructions. And one more thing: in order to power several light bulbs and devices (for example, a TV or computer) from this energy, it will be necessary to install several windmills at once. So think about how much you can afford. Do not forget about the main condition - the presence of a constantly blowing wind. After all, installing a wind generator in a deep forest, as they say, is a waste of time and money. In general, it seems quite possible to make and install windmills as an alternative energy source in a private home, both financially and physically.
Sun
His energy is truly inexhaustible. And also quite promising to use. We've all seen European versions on TV." smart home", where heating, lighting, and water heating are produced through the use of solar energy. It is interesting that in one year so much solar radiation reaches the surface of the soil and water that it (if fully used for energy) would be enough for all of humanity for many thousands of years! All that remains, as usual, is just to take what is “lying” under your feet. And this is not so simple. The catch lies in the rather low efficiency of photoelectric converters and solar power plants invented by mankind. But they are moving in this direction permanent work scientists.
Solar power plants
It is certainly possible (and even necessary) to make high-tech devices such as solar alternative energy sources for the home with your own hands. Just be prepared for the fact that this will most likely not be so easy, and you won’t be able to do it without certain skills or the help of a specialist!
For heating water
The most appropriate and simple use of devices is for heating water. Divide straight and indirect heating. Direct include a variety of greenhouses, tanks for heating water in the sun, greenhouses, glazed loggias, verandas, for example. This type of heating allows you to use free solar energy to generate heat in any convenient place: on the roof, in any open space. Non-freezing liquids (antifreeze) are used as a coolant, and the subsequent one occurs in storage heat exchangers. It is from them that water is drawn for heating and domestic needs.
By the way, there is children's construction set“Alternative Energy Sources” (“Connoisseur”), which allows you to collect up to 130 projects. Children aged five years and older can also get involved in the creation of windmills and use mechanical, water, and solar energy to generate electricity.
Solar panels
Development has led to the creation of solar cells as the most effective way use of solar radiation. This kind of panel is a system of semiconductors that convert solar energy into electricity. Such systems provide an uninterrupted, reliable, cost-effective supply of electricity to a private home. They are especially effective in hard-to-reach areas. For example, in the mountains, where there are many sunny days a year, but the “official” electricity supply is absent or irregular. Or in an area where there are frequent interruptions in the supply of electricity from the main source.
Installation benefits
Such an installation has the following advantages:
- does not require laying cables to the supports, which significantly reduces the cost of production;
- minimized costs for installation and maintenance of batteries;
- environmental cleanliness of the energy produced;
- light weight of solar panels;
- complete silence during operation;
- quite long period of use.
Flaws
The problems with alternative energy sources such as solar panels are:
- in the labor-intensive assembly process;
- the fact that they take up a lot of space;
- sensitive to mechanical damage and pollution;
- do not function at night;
- their effectiveness is highly dependent on sunny or cloudy weather.
Installation
Alternative energy sources - solar panels - are quite easy to install with certain skills. First you need to select necessary materials for construction. We will need high-quality solar cells (made of mono- or polycrystalline silicon). It is better to take those whose operation is effective even in cloudy weather - polycrystals, which are easily available in the kit. We buy cells from the same manufacturer so that everything is compatible and interchangeable. You will also need conductors connecting the photocells. The body is made of Its dimensions are determined by the number of cells. For the outer covering - plexiglass. For fastening to the roof of the house we use self-tapping screws. For soldering wires - ordinary soldering iron. In general, nothing “military”. With the help of good instructions, usually included with the kit, you can figure it out yourself. As a last resort, invite your dacha neighbor to help.
Natural fuel reserves are not unlimited, and energy prices are constantly rising. Agree, it would be nice to use alternative energy sources instead of traditional ones, so as not to depend on gas and electricity suppliers in your region. But you don't know where to start?
We will help you understand the main sources of renewable energy - in this material we looked at the best eco-technologies. Alternative energy can replace conventional power sources: you can create a very effective installation for producing it with your own hands.
Our article discusses simple ways assembling a heat pump, wind generator and solar panels, photographic illustrations of individual stages of the process were selected. For clarity, the material is provided with videos on the production of environmentally friendly installations.
“Green technologies” will significantly reduce household costs through the use of practically free sources.
Since ancient times, people have used mechanisms and devices in everyday life, the action of which was aimed at converting the forces of nature into mechanical energy. A striking example of this are water mills and windmills.
With the advent of electricity, the presence of a generator made it possible to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
The water mill is the predecessor of the automatic pump, which does not require the presence of a person to perform the work. The wheel rotates spontaneously under the pressure of water and independently draws water
Today, a significant amount of energy is generated by wind complexes and hydroelectric power plants. In addition to wind and water, people have access to such sources as biofuel, energy from the earth’s interior, sunlight, the energy of geysers and volcanoes, the power of tides.
The following devices are widely used in everyday life to generate renewable energy:
High cost, both of the devices themselves and of the installation work, stops many people on the path to receiving seemingly free energy.
Payback can reach 15-20 years, but this is not a reason to deprive yourself of economic prospects. All these devices can be made and installed independently.
When choosing a source of alternative energy, you need to focus on its availability, then maximum power will be achieved with a minimum of investments
Homemade solar panels
A ready-made solar panel costs a lot of money, so not everyone can afford its purchase and installation. At self-production panel costs can be reduced by 3-4 times.
Before you start using the device solar panel we need to figure out how it all works.
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