Frank Frederick

Interesting posts so far.  Most are assuming people will stay in their cities and "hope" the power will return.  Some think that phones and other conveniences will still be available - not so.  Off grid means there is no grid to rely upon.

Look for alternatives to heat and cooling a shelter.  For energy needs, there is solar, but only reliable when the sun shines and with backup batteries.  There is hydro-power - if one is near a flowing water source - year round.  There is wind power - only available when the wind blows and if you have batteries to back you up.

I know of several creative ways to create energy, everyone should have multiple alternatives.  How long will your back up generator last without gasoline or propane? Do you know how to create wood-gas or alcohol fuel?  Methane fuel?

Consider this: do you have food for several years or a way to acquire edibles?  Do you have enough water stored or is it readily available?  Do you have a way to grow some food stuffs?  Do you have seeds or starts?  How much do you need to feed your family?  Have you already begun planting your food crops, or will you wait until you get to your bug out off grid location? (A small area inside a home or apartment can feed several people in an area not much larger than an China cabinet.)

Do you have a location to go to when and if disaster strikes?  How will you get to this location if there is no fuel available?  And, how far away is your "bug-out" location?

Do you have security measure in place, because when a drastic power loss or other disaster happens people will want what you have and will stop at nothing to get it.

Power is one of the least issues we will have to deal with when the time comes.

Frank F

In WWII in Europe there were embargo's on gasoline.  Germany's citizens found using wood gas to run vehicles worked.  The Japanese used wood gas to power certain machinery.  During the Great Depression farmers used a combination of corn oil and wood gas to power their equipment.

In Appalachia, folks today still use wood gas vs. gasoline, propane, or diesel to power generators vehicles, and/or even heat their homes.

Should you buy a premade/commercial wood gas generating system?  That is up to you if you choose to take the lazy mans way out.  

There are many government publications and YouTube vieos on how to make your own system and even how to store wood gas for later use.  Although ALL of these ideas do require some work and time to create, they are the most satisfying way to go in my humble opinion.

Frank F.

Before you jump the gun here, think and ask some questions.  

Most utility companies have a limit as to how much power you can sell back (usually around 25kw per year).  How much does your local utility allow you to produce and sell back and how much will they pay for this "service".  Is it worth it?

Are you creating 12 vdc, 24 vdc, 48vdc then converting to AC for use?

How much would an inverter be to handle amount of energy you desire to produce?  Power controller cost?

How much electricity do you need for your own use?  The average home consumes approx. 3.5kw per day of 115 VAC.  Minimum 30 amps.

How are you going to "store" excess energy?  Batteries?  How many and what kind of batteries will you be using?  It is not a great idea to use the power created from your hydro unit directly. Power surges, phase differentials, etc. can be devastating to a hydro system.

How are you going to make your 50kw reach 480 volts and at how many amps?  How many phase power is required by the utility?  One phase, 2 phase, 3 phase? (Grid Tie)  How about synchronization?

Current building codes require a certain amount of amperage into the house at any given time.  Off grid we do not have those same limitations, but they should be looked into if selling back power to the grid.

Producing a great amount of wattage is not the same as producing amperage.  How many amps does your local utility require to sell back power to them?  What kind of copper do you need to make the connection and how far do you need to run the line?  How much will that cost?

Bottom line is what is your R.O.I?  How much are you going to spend versus how much are you going to earn?

These are my first thoughts and questions which you might choose to ask or not.

Utilizing hydro power is a wonderful concept.  However, selling it back to the utility can be really a quest which is not beneficial in the long run if not prepared.

Frank F.

I am no "expert" here but, I have seen and felt the following idea work in real life  I have used it in a desert environment AND it is very simple.  Terra Cotta tubes dripped with water early in the day is passively cooled with air dynamically moving through the tube by convection.  The previous mentioned convection causes air movement and not only is natural but quite satisfying.

Here is a link to one version, anyone can create their own improvements:  https://www.treehugger.com/low-tech-terracotta-tube-air-conditioner-ant-studio-4858405