An Energy Forum???

With the increased interest in small scale green energy projects, such as roof mounted wind turbines, heat engines so on i think it would be a nice idea to have a forum on this site dedicated this expanding area.

currently most national grids aren't designed for small scale local DC production, they relly totaly on off-site large power plants. With green energy becoming an increasing reality more and more people are looking at the benifits of a generations facility in their house. At the moment the main problems facing this new trend consist of inefficient inverters (only viable for power sources over 1Kw min) and the lack of stability of the source.

does anyone have a take on this new trend? have you experimeneted with green energy production before?

The cause is a noble one and from the look of it the green forums need some technical support...

**broken link removed**
"Alternators"
Posted by bcarter2000 on Feb-09-06 at 03:04 PM (EST)

I'm sure someone has thought of this already, but is there any way for an alternator (like the ones found in most cars) to be powered by itself? Such as connecting it to an electric motor which is then used in conjunction with a belt to turn or power the alternator. And, if it is possible, could it be practical in everyday home use?

That was probaly the worst post I found I dare say a better one is lurking.

But I am being cruel , the topic has a wide appeal and as electronic hobbyists we oft take for granted the power coming out of the wall socket without a thought or care for how it is made or reaches us.

The subject draws upon a number of areas thar regulars of any electronics forum will hopefully have a collective knowledge of , such as battery charging and maintenance, DC-AC power conversion , automotive alternators, Solar Cells , even the the PIC proggers can help with process control.

Of course not all of us have the space or permission to put solar cells or a wind turbine on the roof ( I dont even have a back yard to call my own)
So capturing enough energy to run my PC from green sources seems little more than a dream, on the other hand I could start small , the ADSl router cannot draw that much power another idea would be a solar rechargeable desk lamp ...seems a bright idea

Nothing like defying the fundamental laws of physics...
I’m sure Lisa managed to create a perpetual motion machine in the Simpsons once.... but that’s beside the point.

Next month I’m moving into my new halls, and with it i'll finally get a garden YAY!
so i've been trying to think of some applications of green energy i can experiment with next year, EG heat engines, solar generators......

Another point to make is that really this should be split into two different topics, energy generation and energy reduction. As any socialist will tell you " Capitalist society is catastrophically wasteful", it doesn’t need to be at all. I freely admit i'm currently wasting a hell of allot of energy (this is because i'm not paying for it) next year though i'm going to have to pay for once, and as a student i'm looking for ways to cut down on energy without losing the lifestyle.

Question, i'm fairly sure this will sound stupid but i'm going to ask it anyway...
on the subject of wind farms: the wind has a finite amount of energy, so conservation of energy tells us that wind farms mean the wind has less energy. if we produce the same amount of energy we do now, with coal, gas and nuclear power plants, with wind farms would the climate be effected?
i assume it must really, everything has cause and effect .... and there’s no such thing as a totally clean - impact free energy source. Shame.

Here's one idea that looks fun..
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1248068.stm

lol, that does look fun,

tho have you ever seen a bunch of kites get their wires tangled before.... that would be a lovely mess.
plus just imagin how far one could fly if it broke free of its teather.

nice idear tho

For folks in out of the way places it could yield an added benefit , DC power can can come down via a coaxial cable and radio freaquency signals can go both ways to an antenna sharing the same line.

Okay guys, I really like this idea. How about a "Green Energy" or "Alternative Energy" dedicated to discussions about solar, wind, water power projects?

I vote for "Alternative Energy" , it keeps the scope broad and allows for some leeway with topics.

Would make a nice home for a thread debunking some of the "free energy" claims that will continue to linger on the web long after thier "inventors" have been jailed for fraud.

What, you don't like my AltEnergy forums? Am I not good enough for you smart-types?

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Ouch.

I'm sorry you don't like it - I've very few members and even less posters on the site, so my intention was to fill it with information that others might respond to.

But since its birth, no one wants to reply to anything.


(and that's "modicum")

Hi guys,

Well as stated above i really like the idea of an alternative energy forum and it will be more than likely added within the week. however we will need someone to moderate it. Would you be interested Arctic Fox?

I would be very interested, EM. But as a fellow forum admin (nudge, nudge), wouldn't you see that as a conflict of interest; my forums being dedicated to AltEnergies, yet modding in yours here?

Nope no problem. I see you as the perfect person for it

Hiya Electro Master,
Eh mate with the alternate energy projects on the go in my shed at the moment and the info I have I'd be honoured to be a moderator for the alternate energy forum. I'm also a member of several other wind genny and off grid forums and I reckon with little effort I could entice some very knowledgeable people into the forum. Anyway mate it's upto you as you've already invited Artic Fox but my offer is there.

Cheers Bryan