Search Results for: power generat

Gas generators are a power option

Cummins gas generators were launched last year and already their installations power the equivalent of 52,000 homes.  The HSK78G offers reliable power off the grid. For a remote textile manufacturer in Pakistan, as well as a hauliers  and storage company based in the U.K., Cummins is providing robust  off-grid power, coupled with  electrical efficiency of up to 44.2%.

Peaking power and grid parallel applications

Suited to peaking power applications, gas generators can be used as back-up power systems, supporting the grid during times of high demand, as well as offsetting the fluctuations of renewable power sources such as wind and solar energy. Working with TMS Grid Ltd., an engineering and consultancy company based in the U.K., 10 HSK78G units will provide a total of 20MW of uninterruptible backup power. Alongside the product’s high efficiency, the generators’ Grid Code Compliance (GCC) certification enabled TMS Grid Ltd. to demonstrate compliance to the G99 U.K. requirements. Additionally, the HSK78G units meet the latest emissions limits set by the new medium combustion plant directive (MCPD) removing the need for exhaust aftertreatment systems, which in turn offers a lower total cost of ownership.

A further 11 units have recently been installed in a hybrid power station based in Western Australia, offering a total of 22MW installed capacity. With a mix of solar, wind and battery technology, the HSK78G generator models will be used to stabilise the power supply, providing fewer voltage and frequency disturbances and faster recovery times.

With increased demand for low-carbon power generation, organisations across all industries are seeking alternative sources of energy to reduce their carbon footprint whilst providing a reliable and robust performance. To meet this need, Cummins invested heavily in expanding its gas range, launching the HSK78G gas generator range in March 2019.

With a power density of up to 2MW, Cummins lean-burn gas generators are designed to provide reliable power for a diverse set of industries from mining and manufacturing, to shopping malls and hospitals. With fuel flexibility across the range, HSK78G generators use natural, low-cost, low-BTU, free fuel sources that would otherwise be considered waste products.

‘We’re seeing increased interest from a diverse range of industries, all of which are considering the switch to low-carbon alternatives for power generation. With market-leading thermal efficiency at 47.1% and 2110 kW of thermal output for heating, cooling and steam generation, the generator series provides significant environmental benefits. They can also run in parallel with combined heat and power (CHP) systems, which can convert 70-90% of the energy of the fuel that is burned into useful electricity or heat, further increasing sustainable credentials,’ said Ann-Kristin deVerdier, Cummins Energy Management Executive Director.

The HSK78G has been successfully installed across a wide range of applications, from horticultural, logistics and manufacturing operations, through to providing gas power for power stations and backup power to the National Grid.

‘We’ve worked hard to develop a solution …

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Energy

Candle powered generator seeks kickstarter funding

A tiny tech startup called Tellurex is launching its new candle-powered electric light via kickstarter.com, the crowd-funding web site. Although we at www.off-grid.net have not seen a prototype of the mini-generator, we love the idea, and it is already 50% of the way to its goal.
Michigan-based Tellurex is seeking Kickstarter.com funders and distributors to help launch its “electrical generator.” About the size of a small soup can, the power on demand thermoelectric system converts the heat of a single tea candle into an electrical current capable of providing bright indoor or outdoor light using its plug-in lamp attachment.…

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Emergency Power: engine-driven generators

Living off the grid,  generators have a place. There comes a time  when some backup power is needed.  In most cases  this means using an engine to turn some form of generator.

People living  in Vans, camping trailers or small cabins tend to view  a seperate engine driven  generator as a nuisance  to be tolerated  and  usually do  not wish to spend much money. Various alternatives  present themselves.
Running the Van motor to charge up  the battery is among the first  solutions  that  comes to mind.  Next is a small  stand alone portable genset and  a typical automotive charger  that plugs into the mains.
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mirissa-seastar-generator-and-beach
Energy

50-year old Diesel Generator In Mirissa Beach

Mirissa beach is known for cool Eurotrash, beautiful surfing and whale-watching. In common with most of the country outside the dapital, the beach community struggles with an unreliable electricity grid. But it is not known as a centre of off-grid technology – and for good reason. Like most of the country, households in Mirissa depend for backup power on diesel rather than solar. The Perkins generator at the Seastar Hotel is a relatively modern example of a near-century-old design.

It sits in the courtyard of this friendly hotel, maintained by locals, at the end of the long golden beach, that has become increasingly popular over the years.

Western surfers share the waves with Sri Lankan fishermen, who hover near the shore all day, line fishing, while most of the catch is hoovered up by industrial vessels on the horizon.

When the power goes out, about once every couple of days, the huge old generator roars into action. It certainly helped me out when I was trying to go online. Happy Birthday, Generator. You can see the film here.…

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Energy

How often can a LifePO4 Battery recharge a Mac Powerbook?

A new generation of Lithium power stations will transform home and outdoor energy use over the next few years. When you choose a battery, the product description is full of confusing data – so how do you make your choice? Keep in mind that the number of recharges will depend on the battery capacity (expressed in ampere-hours, Ah) of the LiFePO4 battery, and the MacBook’s power consumption. A MacBook 13-inch typically has a battery capacity of around 50-60 watt-hours (Wh). This guide uses the Macbook as an example – the same would apply to any laptop with a similar power consumption and similar-sized battery.

LifePo4 Batteries are widely available and have the following advantages over other technologies –

Long Cycle Life: LiFePO4 batteries are known for their exceptional cycle life. They can typically withstand thousands of charge-discharge cycles, making them ideal for long-term off-grid use.

Deep Discharge Tolerance: LiFePO4 batteries can safely and consistently be discharged to around 80% or even lower without significantly affecting their lifespan. This means they can handle being drawn down to 5% effectively.

High Efficiency: LiFePO4 batteries have a high charge and discharge efficiency, which means you get more usable energy from them compared to some other battery chemistries.

Safety:
LiFePO4 batteries are considered safer than some other lithium-ion batteries. They are less prone to thermal runaway and are less likely to catch fire, which is crucial for off-grid installations where maintenance might be less frequent.

Low Maintenance: These batteries require minimal maintenance compared to lead-acid batteries. They don’t need regular topping up with distilled water, for example.

Compact and Lightweight: LiFePO4 batteries tend to have a high energy density, allowing for a compact and lightweight design, which can be advantageous for off-grid setups.

Cost-Effective: While LiFePO4 batteries may have a higher upfront cost compared to some other battery types like lead-acid, their longer lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements often make them more cost-effective in the long run

Here are some recommended batteries with the approximate number of times each battery can recharge a 13-inch MacBook. Keep in mind that the number of recharges will depend on the battery capacity (expressed in ampere-hours, Ah) of the LiFePO4 battery and the MacBook’s power consumption. A MacBook 13-inch typically has a battery capacity of around 50-60 watt-hours (Wh).

 

Renogy Lycan Powerbox:

Approximate Price: $1,000 – $1,200
Weight: Around 28-30 kg
Battery Capacity: Varies (check product specifications)
MacBook Recharges: Multiple recharges possible

 

Victron Energy LiFePO4 Battery:

Approximate Price: $1,200 – $1,400
Weight: Approximately 35 kg
Battery Capacity: Varies (check product specifications)
MacBook Recharges: Multiple recharges possible

 

Relion LiFePO4 Battery:

Approximate Price: $900 – $1,100
Weight: Around 30 kg
Battery Capacity: 100Ah (1,200 Wh)
MacBook Recharges: Approximately 20 recharges

 

Renogy Smart LiFePO4 Battery: (UK)

Approximate Price: $800 – $1,000
Weight: Approximately 25 kg
Battery Capacity: Varies (check product specifications)
MacBook Recharges: Multiple recharges …

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Sian Gwenillian outdoor shot
Community

Gov spends £750k for off-grid power in Wales

A new, publicly-owned energy company has been launched by the Welsh government, as part of the Labour government’s co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru.
Eleven projects are set to receive funding over the next three years, including Cwm Arian for a “heart of Dyfed power unlocker” project on the border between Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and the Dyffryn Ogwen Gynaladwy project in Bethesda, Gwynedd.
Ynni Cymru will be based at the M-Sparc site on Anglesey and aims to expand community-owned renewable energy initiatives.

Climate change minister, Julie James, and Plaid Cymru’s designated member, Siân Gwenllian, visited the Anafon Hydro project in Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd.

Almost one GWh of electricity is generated each year from its base in Eryri National Park.

Julie James said the “market-based approach to the energy system is not delivering decarbonisation at the scale or pace necessary for the climate emergency”.

“Local use of locally generated energy is an effective way to support net zero and keep the benefit in our communities,” she added.

Siân Gwenllian added: “As we face multiple challenges of a climate crisis and high energy bills, it is more important than ever that we develop renewable energy projects that have local benefit and ownership as a core aim.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ shadow climate minister, Janet Finch-Saunders, said she welcomed the investment but accused Labour and Plaid Cymru of “ignoring the elephant in the room”.

“There are hundreds of watercourses running through privately owned land in Wales,” she said.

“Alongside support for community-owned schemes, the Welsh Government should be removing barriers to privately owned schemes.”

Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer announced in June that Great British Energy – a clean energy company – would be established in the first year of a Labour government in Westminster, with its base in Scotland.

The payments will be made in the form of grants over the next three years.…

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the new pylon shape stretching across the somerset countryside
Energy

New Generation Of Pylons Will Trash UK Countryside

History is repeating itself in the UK, with a new generation of electricity towers breeding fear and local campaigning against National Grid.
The power company is attempting to impose its latest upgrade on the grounds of netzero – decarbonisation. But its arguments do not stand up to scrutiny say locals, who point out that the new pylons are far more expensive than the old, and have not been permitted anywhere else in the country so far, despite a 2035 decarbonisation deadline.

These new pylons are a world first and the result of more than a decade of planning, consultation, and installation.
And the plan is that more will be installed across the country as part of the Government’s ambitions to expand the energy grid to facilitate the move to Net Zero. Up close they look like steel obelisks standing 35m tall, equipped with two arms, strung with cables capable of carrying 400,000 volts of electricity. From a distance, they resemble a string of golf tees, winding their way up the Somerset landscape towards Avonmouth in the county’s north. Starkly white and solid, waiting to inherit the cables from their lattice-framed ancestors.

More than one hundred are expected to be installed and energised by 2024, as part of a project to connect new sources of low-carbon energy to homes and businesses, including Hinkley Point C, EDF Energy’s new nuclear station in Somerset.

In Rooks Bridge, directly beneath the overhead power lines, Gary Robinson ran a caravan campsite for 20 years. When builders descended in 2020, he was forced to close his business which now sits less than 100m away from one of the new pylons. When it rains, or the wind is strong, the noise is “enormous”, Robinson says.

Pylons of any kind generate audible whistling noise in high wind speeds and a buzzing noise in moisture. But T-pylon cables are gathered closer to the ground and residents have complained the effect is far worse than previously installed lattice pylons.

A National Grid spokesman said anyone directly affected by the scheme is eligible to submit a claim for any loss incurred under the compensation code, saying: “We always recommend that people who believe they have a claim seek appropriate independent professional advice.”

But Robinson, whose campsite licence was revoked on account of the noise and building work, says “proof of loss” is difficult.

Across the road, three empty properties, all recently refurbished but now 50m from a T-pylon, sit empty. Claire Feenie, who has lived on a secluded road in Cote for 21 years, watched as an old pylon opposite her home was replaced with one of the new systems two years ago. Now, she can see the structure from her conservatory. She can hear it too.

The pensioner, 74, says the new pylons were “more of an eyesore” than their older counterparts. “It’s because they’re solid. The old pylons – …

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People

Ronnie Wood’s Ex-wife Runs Her Own Power

Jo Wood has got guts. the ex-wife of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood took on a huge project a few years ago, and now has a wonderful off-grid farmhouse in the UK.

“I’d dreamed of going off-grid,” she told The Telegraph. “I loved the idea of being self-sufficient, not only growing my own food, but having my own heat, electricity and water supply. This was it! It came with six acres, old sheds and barns ripe for conversion. The land was barren and there was no garden, but it meant I could do things my way. After my divorce from Ronnie in 2011, I’d been living in central London, so it was a huge change.”

Q: What did you have to do to get the house and garden up and running?
A:I moved into the house in November 2019, and in those first few weeks, the water ran out, the solar panels didn’t work, the electrics were dodgy, and the generator for heat and light broke down. I sat in the kitchen and said to myself: “I’ve made such a terrible mistake.” But slowly, I found the right people to help me turn things around. A modern generator was installed, new solar panels fitted and, after locating an underground water supply, an engineer drilled a hole nearly 300ft down to provide me with my own water. It was expensive, but from then on, I’d have no more bills.

Q: What were your plans for the garden?
A: One of the first things I did was to plant 70 trees, including willow, oak and apple. But my priority that first spring was to build raised beds for growing organic fruit and veg. Of course, four months after I moved in, the country went into lockdown; but with my son Tyrone and my daughter Leah and her family, we were all in the same bubble, so I got cracking and they helped me. Within no time, we’d sown everything from potatoes to pumpkins, with nasturtiums and calendula for colour. The house itself was already covered with climbing roses, so I planted lavender, rosemary and other scented herbs and flowers beneath.

Q: Why did you become so passionate about growing organic food?
A:I met Ronnie in 1977, when I was just 22. At that point, I had my son Jamie and he had his son Jesse. We had Leah and Tyrone together and got married in 1985. Then in 1990, I got ill and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I was on steroids; I was miserable. Then someone who’d read about my illness told me to cut out processed foods and go organic – veg, fruit, meat, the lot. With nothing to lose, I did. Four months later, I felt fantastic. But I got ill again. This time, I found out I didn’t have Crohn’s, I had a perforated appendix. Doctors were amazed …

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John Berger of Sunnova on Bloomberg TV
Energy

Judge halts Sunnova bid to power new homes off-grid

A California regulatory judge preliminarily rejected a move by Sunnova Energy, one of America’s biggest rooftop-solar companies, to serve as a micro-utility to new residential communities in the state.  The company was trying to use an obscure law relating to a 1920s ski resort to force its way into the highly regulated electricity Utility business.

A formal rejection would be a blow to residential solar and battery providers that have begun eating into the customer base of California’s big three privately-owned utilities — PG&E Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric. All three have fought to protect their territories as new technologies have eroded their monopolies.

Texas-based Sunnova, in September submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission to build and operate microgrids as part of new master-planned residential communities. But an administrative law judge said in a proposed decision issued Tuesday that Sunnova had failed to provide the information required for a so-called certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Sunnova is one of the biggest US corporations at the forefront of the struggle for more rights for off-grid energy producers.  It supplies solar rooftops under a variety of innovative financing arrangements, allowing property owners to install now and pay later.

Extreme weather and higher electricity prices are leading American households to bolt a record number of solar panels to their rooftops, loosening ties to the power grid and the utilities that run it. About 5.3 gigawatts of residential solar power capacity were installed in 2022, the biggest year for new installations and roughly equivalent to total rooftop solar capacity nationwide in 2015, the US Energy Information Administration has said. Installations jumped about 40 per cent year on year with about 180,000 US homes adding systems in the second quarter, according to data compiled by consultancy Wood Mackenzie. Home electricity prices rose only 7.5 per cent in 2022 – compared to much steeper rises in Europe,  and 4.3 per cent in 2021.

Rates have climbed largely because of higher prices for natural gas used to fuel power plants. “You’re going to continue to see some pretty big increases in monopoly utility bills over the next few months and quarters and we’re seeing growth because of that,” said John Berger, chief executive of Sunnova.

Berger said the utilities were defending a “Soviet-style” system that prevents competition in the power sector because they worry that the growth of home solar will eat into their market. “Consumers don’t have choices. They don’t get to choose their power provider, and I think they should be able to and I think more and more people are demanding that,” he said.

Executives and analysts also point to the numerous storms, heatwaves and fires across the country that have exposed deep vulnerabilities in the reliability of power grids across the US. Hurricane Ian last month knocked out power to 2.6mn customers in …

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A Husk micro-grid plant in Nasarawa, central Nigeria. Photo supplied.
Energy

Nigeria grows off-grid power

Nigeria announced in 2017 that it would no longer be pursuing a national grid strategy, but instead would develop island power in specific areas across the nation of 231m people. For example, Husk’s six new microgrids have been developed simultaneously in Nigeria as part of a rural electrification program backed by the World Bank. The projects show the considerable possibilities available from the scaling up of microgrid rollout programs.

Located in Nasarawa State, the solar hybrid microgrid projects provides clean, reliable and affordable electricity to about 5,000 households and 500 businesses. Six communities in the Doma and Lafia local government areas will gain access to electricity for the first time. Communities benefiting are Rukubi, Idadu and Igbabo in Doma and Kiguna, Akura and Gidan Buba in Lafia. Developed by Husk Power Systems, the projects will also support local agricultural activities. Manoj Sinha, founder and CEO of Husk Power Systems said: “We have made great progress in rolling out new minigrids and we’re seeing high rvenue per customer at our first 6 sites. We see a potential to add another 500 minigrids in Nigeria over the next 4-5 years.”

Husk is an Indian company that set up in Nigeria after the African country adopted India’s 2016 minigrid policy verbatim in 2017. However, Nigeria proceeded to add minigrids to their national electrification plan and created policies for DISCOMs to integrate with minigrids.

In Juanary 2023 Husk Power Systems secured funding from Germany’s development finance institution DEG to build 8 new community solar microgrids in Nigeria.

DEG allocated the funds from its Up-Scaling Program, which is co-financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The 5-year loan in the amount of $749,000 follows Husk successfully closing debt totalling $10.3 million from EDFI-ElectriFI and IREDA in 2022 to build over 200 microgrids in India.

Sinha, of Husk added: ”Access to affordable debt is critical to scaling solar microgrids in Nigeria, home to 90 million people living without access to electricity. This financing provides Husk with a solid foundation for unlocking additional debt, including local currency debt, this year and beyond.”

The DEG financing is the first debt raised by Husk for its business in Nigeria, where the company currently has 12 operational microgrids, and a target of building 500 by 2026. The 8 microgrids in Nigeria will connect more than 500 residential and commercial customers, reduce the number of diesel generators in use by 400, while creating about 40 new direct local jobs.

Petra Kotte, Head of Banking and German Business Division, DEG: ”Husk is exactly the type of company we’re looking for at the Up-Scaling Program, which supports innovative greentech business models in emerging markets that demonstrate high development impact and a significant reduction of carbon emissions.”

www.huskpowersystems.com

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Energy

Choosing a Turbine to Generate 5KWh from a Waterfall, River or Stream

Generating electricity from a river or waterfall can be a great way to access sustainable energy more reliably than solar or wind, and all year round. Effective power generation requirements vary from case to case.  Consider the different types of turbines available and their specific application. This guide discusses the three main types of turbines suitable for generation: Pelton wheel, Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine. It is hard to provide guidance on commercial products that would work best for each system configuration because of lack of supply and constantly fluctuating prices.  If you are a supplier or a customer with useful experiences, please leave details in the comments including URLs. However, the info below gives all you need to search out products in your own area.

Why generate 5KW from a waterfall or river?

Hydroelectric power generation has been around for centuries, but the latest technologies are more efficient, allowing greater amounts of power to be generated with less impact on the environment. Hydroelectricity is clean and sustainable energy, and more cost-effective than traditional sources such as coal-fired plants or petrol generators. Not only does this reduce carbon footprint, it also takes advantage of one of nature’s most abundant resources: running water. Harnessing the power of rivers and waterfalls offers benefits in terms of reducing air pollution from burning fossil fuels as well as providing local jobs installing and maintaining these systems. With careful planning, 5KW turbines can not only provide enough energy for homes and businesses but can also feed excess electricity to neighbours (or into the grid).

The best turbine to generate 5KWh from a waterfall or river

The choice of turbine will depend on the specific conditions of the site, in particular water flow rate and head.  Water flow is how much water passes through the hydro plant, and head refers to water pressure -ie how hard/quickly it flows. In general, Pelton wheel turbines are ideal for high head sites with lower flow rates, whereas Francis turbines are better suited for medium-head sites with higher flow rates. The Kaplan turbine is suitable for low head/high flow applications although it tends to be less efficient than other types of turbines due to its complex design.

Pelton wheel: best suited for high head, low flow applications

The Pelton wheel turbine is  the most popular type of turbines for hydroelectric power and likely to be the least expensive. It is suitable for high head and low flow applications, where the water pressure is greater than the flow rate. It works by using a series of buckets or cups which capture and redirect the water’s kinetic energy as it passes through them to spin a shaft connected to an electric generator. You will also need to buy a generator like this one. The buckets are angled in such a way that they capture more force from each wave as it …

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Events

1.4 million Texas homes off-grid as power network buckles

More than half of energy-rich state’s total power generation capacity remains offline

The electric grid, which is designed to enable energy trading rather than protecting domestic consumers, has collapsed in Texas due to extreme winter weather.  The same thing could easily happen elsewhere in America.

Houston’s mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter: “The city does not control the Texas power grid. We do not oversee Ercot which manages and serves as the traffic cop for the electric grid. That is the governor and the State of Texas.”

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been disrupted as energy prices spiked 100 times due to surging demand for heating in the extreme conditions. Many are reduced to melting snow to provide drinking water.

For residents of the Lone Star State, the problem stems from both a record spike in demand in a place that rarely gets this cold, as well as an unexpected drop in the supply of energy from natural gas, coal, wind, nuclear, and solar sources iced up by sleet and wind. This is coupled with the arcane power management setup in Texas – similar to other States.

Amid a backlash from angry Texans, Republican governor Greg Abbott called on the state’s legislature to investigate and reform Ercot. “The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has been anything but reliable over the past 48 hours,” Abbott said. While the Texas power grid has proven largely capable of handling demand peaks during the state’s sweltering summers, the electricity supply system has been crippled by some of the coldest weather the state has experienced in decades. Wholesale electricity prices have hovered around Ercot’s price cap of $9,000 a megawatt-hour for days because of the supply shortages, far above typical prices of about $25/MWh. That has the potential to put immense strain on energy suppliers forced to buy at the astronomical prices.

US natural gas prices surged as much as 10 per cent on Tuesday to about $3.15 a million British thermal units, its highest level since October. Prices at one Oklahoma pricing hub, where supplies were extremely tight, soared from about $3 an MBtu to almost $1,000 an MBtu. The freezing temperatures and sustained power outages have also disrupted the state’s oil industry, the largest in the country. Producers in Texas’s Permian oilfield, one of the world’s most prolific, face days of disruptions as pipelines and other equipment freeze up and icy road conditions delay repairs.

Though the number of customers in the dark had dropped by 25 percent in Texas on Tuesday, nearly 3.2 million customers remained without electricity early Tuesday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. That’s about 1 million customers fewer than at the peak of the blackouts, but still represents more than a quarter of the Lone Star State.

Meanwhile, about 11,000 customers were without power in Oklahoma, primarily around the Oklahoma City metro area, with 120,000 out

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