Energy efficiency

An understanding to existing building energy efficiency at Loyola University Chicago

Almost all the electricity currently produced in the UK is generated as part of a centralised power system designed around large fossil fuel or nuclear power stations. This power system is robust and reliable but the efficiency of power generation is low, resulting in large quantities of waste heat. The principal aim of this paper is to investigate an alternative concept: the energy production by small scale generators in close proximity to the energy users, integrated into microgrids. Microgrids – de-centralised electricity generation combined with on-site production of heat - bear the promise of substantial environmental benefits. This is brought about by a higher energy efficiency and by facilitating the integration of renewable sources such as photovoltaic arrays or wind turbines. By virtue of a good match between generation and load, microgrids have a low impact on the electricity network, despite a potentially significant level of generation by intermittent energy sources. The paper discusses the technical and economic issues associated with this novel concept, giving an overview of the generator technologies, the current regulatory framework in the UK, and the barriers that have to be overcome if microgrids are to make a major contribution to the UK energy supply. The focus of this study is a microgrid of domestic users powered by small Combined Heat and Power generators and photovoltaics. Focusing on the energy balance between the generation and load, it is found that the optimum combination of the generators in the microgrid - consisting of around 1.4 kWp PV array per household and 45% household ownership of micro-CHP generators - will maintain energy balance on a yearly basis if supplemented by energy storage of 2.7kWh per household. We find that there is no fundamental technological reason why microgrids cannot contribute an appreciable part of the UK energy demand. Indeed, an estimate of cost indicates that the microgrids considered in this study would supply electricity at a cost comparable with the present electricity supply if the current support mechanisms for photovoltaics were maintained. Combining photovoltaics and micro-CHP and a small battery requirement gives a microgrid that is independent of the national electricity network. In the short term, this has particular benefits for remote communities but more wide-ranging possibilities open up in the medium to long term. Microgrids could meet the need to replace current generation nuclear and coal fired power stations, greatly reducing the demand on the transmission and distribution network.

The world’s energy system has bestowed great benefits on society, but it has also come with high price tag: climate change, which is occurring due to a build of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human activity; military and economic conflict due to uneven distribution of fossil resources; and millions of premature deaths and illness due to the air and water pollution inherent in fossil fuel production and consumption.
 

Bantam 1974 374 p. Includes: illustrations, diagrams, index. 4-1/4" x 7". Alternative energy information, collected and published during the energy crisis of the 1970s. Sections on heating and powering your home with wood, water, wind, solar, and methane.

This book features firsthand reports from people who have found ways to beat the power crisis. This is priceless alternative energy information with many additional tips, facts and ideas that you can put to use now.

Bantam 1974 374 p. Includes: illustrations, diagrams, index. 4-1/4" x 7". Alternative energy information, collected and published during the energy crisis of the 1970s. Sections on heating and powering your home with wood, water, wind, solar, and methane.

This book features firsthand reports from people who have found ways to beat the power crisis. This is priceless alternative energy information with many additional tips, facts and ideas that you can put to use now.

Heat Your Home for Free is a collection of classic articles from MOTHER EARTH NEWS that shows how simple solar systems can heat your home, garage, shop, barn, commercial building — just about any structure with a south-facing wall. The heat comes from solar energy, and it’s free. Best of all, this book shows how you can design, build and install solar heating systems yourself! We’ve compiled our best articles on do-it-yourself solar heating, from the early days of the magazine right up to the present.

Heat Your Home for Free shows you several approaches to solar heating: different materials, designs, construction methods. By the time you’ve read half of it, you’ll be inspired to design your own system — and you’ll know how to do it! These articles are by and about real people who built real solar systems that make real heat. They did it, and you can too! This book has loads of diagrams, photos, sketches, materials lists — everything you need to know to design, build and install your own solar heating system. Here’s what’s included:
You’ll meet Gary Reysa, an engineer and solar expert, who turned the entire south wall of his workshop into a solar heater! It produces heat equivalent to 60 gallons of propane every month. He built it for $350, and earned that money back in saved fuel in less than two years. You can adapt his simple design to just about any building with southern exposure. If it works for him, in Bozeman, Montana, it will work for you!

You’ll read about the “Solar Heat Grabber,” a simple window heater made from hand-cut insulating panels. It’s a classic design, a reader favorite ever since MOTHER EARTH’s staff developed it during the energy crisis of the 1970s. If you’d rather install a readymade solar heater, skip ahead to our “Buyer’s Guide to Solar Heaters.” It’s a quick rundown on commercially available systems, and a great basic intro to how solar heating works. Put easy, low-cost solar heat into a metal-sided building with our simple, low-profile TAPs (Thermosiphon Air Panels). No fan, no wiring, lots of warm! Or get some common framing lumber and corrugated fiberglass sheets, spend two or three hours building, and turn a south wall into a room heating system. You’ll meet a family living high in the New Mexico mountains who outfitted their old adobe home with a bare-bones-simple, effective solar booster for $25. You’ll visit a church in Washingtonville, New York that installed solar collectors made of castoff aluminum cans — and cut its fuel costs by 55 percent.

You’ll learn how to use salvaged storm window frames to pump FREE HEAT into your home. You’ll meet a father/son team from Springfield, Missouri, who spent just $30 to heat their 1,200-square-foot workshop by following four rules for super-inexpensive solar heat (Rule 4: Scrounge!). There’s even instructions to build an automated control system for simple sungrabbers like these, using inexpensive, readily available parts.

Live self-sufficient & BUILD YOUR OWN 5,000 sq. ft. HOUSE for less then $10k total in as little as 3 months + FREE SOLAR PANELS.

  You are buying a guide to help you Build your own 5,000 sq. ft. house for less then $10k total, set in a Easy to Read Beginners level format (process made simple). (The resources, tips & tricks I provide were tested on the authors Ranch.)

SIMPLE, EASY, BASIC. NO MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE NEEDED.

HOW IT WORKS  

- The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.- The Homes are “GREEN” homes, & meet every city/state ordinance/building code
- Typical tools, hardware & supplies are used, making access to parts available.
- Move into you DREAM HOUSE in as little as 3 months.

NOTE: Costs per House is an approximate $10,000 in Supplies, plans can be adapted to bigger homes, receiving the same extreme savings. Compare that to purchase price of existing homes at a ridiculous $500,000+ range, not to mention closing costs, loan fees & monthly payments.

This donlaod contains three files that will help you estimator your power requirements for your house, boat or caravan. There are two Wxcel spreadsheets and one pdf file. To get the most form this you need Excel howver you can use the information to make manual calculations.

Included are the power requirements for typicall applainces. The power estimator could be used to calculate your solar, wind, or another generator requirements. The documents are in the public domain.