Let's talk energy...
>> Monday, January 17, 2011 –
wind energy
Or lack thereof :)
The land that we are moving on to has not been connected to the grid for several years. To be reconnected to the grid, would cost in the upwards of 10-12,000 dollars. The owner of the land would prefer not to reconnect back to the grid, so let me talk about our energy situation.
This picture is about the same type of wind turbine that is already on the property. It is a Bergey XL.1 wind turbine. This particular model is a 1 kW wind turbine. 1 kW is 1000 watts of power. On average, this particular model will provide 100-150 kWh per month. Have I lost you yet? A kWh is the amount of energy equal to 1000 watt hours. When the energy company man comes around to read your meter, he's reading the kWh.
So, what does 100-150 kWh per month mean to our situation? Well, take into consideration that the average American family consumes 750-850 kWh per month and you can see how little energy we will be working with on the farm. Jon took a look back on our energy uses and it ranges from 450-2,000 kWh per month. That's crazy considering there is only two of us!
We also do have 8 batteries in the battery shed that average 10 kWh when the wind is not blowing. With wind energy, it's very important to have a hybrid system. Our system on the farm is not really hybrid. A hybrid system would combine a wind energy system with a solar and/or diesel generator to provide a reliable system of off-grid power. We would both love to have some solar panels, but they are quite expensive. A wind and solar system complement each other very well. During the winter, when wind is the highest, the sun is not as bright. Vice versa, during the summer when the wind is at its lowest, the sun is at its peak brightness.
Hope that wasn't too technical for everyone! It's really an eye opener to realize how much energy we take for granted. There will definitely be a learning curve when we get to the farm!
Can you say candles and washboard!!!
You guys have a good headstart on the sustainability curve. I want to get some solar for our barn and chicken house at least, but it is expensive.
I have to get quotes from the power company on running another line from our pole to the back of our farmyard. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to stay on the grid for our poultry processing and meat storage facilities.
A generator will also be required. A lot of planning and spending to do up front for us I'm afraid. I have faith it will pay off though.
It is a lot of money up front. I'm not sure what we are going to do ourselves about storing meat. I don't think our system as is can handle a freezer.
Wow. that is illuminating. I've often thought that wind energy was a good bet for farms here, indeed for regular houses in town, but based on your experience it would fall short for most people.
I've seen it claimed that some Australian stations in the Out Back use wind energy. I wonder if they're using bigger wind generators?
The best system for farms or houses is to use a combination of wind and solar. As you can see wind just doesn't cut it by itself, unless you can afford a large wind turbine. Most systems have both wind and solar to take advantage of the different peak times.