alex newton

solomon martin wrote:I have thought about using elevated water (or any form of potential kinetic energy) as a green alternative to batteries.  Imagine installing a bio-kinetic harvester (such as a hydrostatic displacement pump, or a trickle ram pump attached to a turn-style or a door-hinge) in high foot traffic area like a colliseum or a subway station so that you could generate energy passively with human movement.  Purely conceptual at this point, but I think the idea of using elevated water and bypassing the battery system is worth exploring.

Slightly different idea: how about using a wind mill (or any other suitable alternative energy device) to elevate a large pendulum as a kinetic battery?

lol I would castrate you if I found out I had to walk harder to generate your power

Personal home Off grid electrical systems work extremely well and save a lot of money to people who:
1 Can gain access to reasonably priced equipment
2 Reduce there electrical demand to meet there supply
3 Are willing and capable to maintain and service there own installation

I speak from personal experience with my system costing less then 5 years worth of electrical companies service charging alone

Off grid systems wont save you money but will give you independence to people who:
1 Size there system to match modern day luxury living
2 Buy complex and/or expensive equipment

Obviously businesses and trades and even locations are all different

Jeremiah wales
I think you are missing a very important point and that is :there are a lot of people in this world and the educated people are beginning to understand that to ensure the world will last longer every one of us needs to do what we can as soon as we can
The question you should be asking yourself is Why do you want to keep a 1000ft lower level of home TOASTY or maybe you have 20 people living there?
What do you call TOASTY most people in the RMH videos are wearing jumpers and clothes not running around naked. my central heating is never higher than
16deg C but i know friend's who have theirs set to 25deg C and still complain
So these Rocket Mass Heaters that heat your home/workplace and could cook your food, heat your water.
Use a sustainable fuel and considerably less than most other types of similar heaters
Produce less pollution than almost any other source of heating/cooking
Can be built using easily obtainable items some locally sourced
They are safe with no risk of explosion/nuclear radiation or environmental pollution

So what was the reason you have not built one oh yea You cant be bothered to put a jumper on and don't want to tend to it a few times a day
I just wish I could go home and build my own ASAP

Everbuild EVB90101 Black Bitumen Paint is a solvent based, full bodied black bitumen paint. When dry, the product forms an odourless and taint free bitumen film suitable for the protection of metals, concrete roofing, felt, fibre, cement, corrugated iron, asphalt and wood against water attack. This product has a fast drying time and is suitable for use with portable drinking water tanks.
most builders yards have similar products extremely good if you re-coat every 3-5 years i have seen 30 year old tanks rust free only problem nowadays is painting in confined spaces

you can paint it with black bitumen paint it is safe its been used in metal water tanks for years not to sure whether the black colour would be ok tho