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Sun Volt Solar

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We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

The role of utility companies in a green economy

16 Aug 09 | Commentary, General, Solar Electric

I have been watching with interest the ongoing petition by our local utility company, Central Hudson Gas and Electric for rate increases.  This is the second request in as many years.

They have been not making as much money as in previous years.  Meanwhile, Xcel Energy has come right out and said it:  Customers who have PV panels installed are getting a free ride.  They would like to charge those customers for energy that they might use, which in the face of things sounds a little off to me.

So what is the role of a utility company for those customers who choose to install renewable energy systems?  Are they a giant battery, ready to give and receive power at the whim of a customer?  Can they charge for goods and services that might or might not be used?

This leads to several questions about the way we distribute electrical power in this country.  The customer who invests thousands of dollars to generate a portion of his own power should not be penalized because he doesn’t use utility company power.  On the other hand, utility companies incur significant expenses maintaining the distribution grid.

Then there are the power generators supplying the grid.  Those companies have to anticipate load demand and start or stop entire generating facilities to meet that demand.  Power plants cannot be simply switched on and off, it takes a good deal of effort to get some of these facilities on line.

Clearly some type of working arrangement needs to be implimented between small renewable energy generators and traditional utility companies.  Most of the PV systems being installed today, at least in my area, are grid interactive.  Take the grid away and the system shuts down.  Perhaps some small fee for storing the renewable enery system’s excess kWh until they are used would be fair.  After all, if not grid interactive, the other option is to install a battery storage system, which is expensive and maintenance intensive.   The utility grid is not free for the utility company, they should get something for providing a storage service.

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16 Aug 09 | Commentary, General, Solar Electric | Comments (0)

This is Solar Power, Part II

02 Aug 09 | Commentary, Micro Hydro Power

A review off all the energy systems powered by our sun, either directly or indirectly.

Part II: Hydro Energy

Renewable: Yes
Environmental impact: Moderate to high
EIER: High
Cost: Moderate
Maintenance cost: Low

Hydro energy occurs when the sun heats the earth’s surface causing water to vaporize.  The water vapor is lighter than air so it rises.  Water consists of H2O, which has a standard atomic weight of  18 versus air which is about 80% nitrogen (N2) and 20% oxygen (O2) and have a standard atomic weights of 28 and 32 respectively.

When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it begins to cool and condense into water droplets.  These droplets form clouds which then become saturated and precipitate.  The water vapor can travel hundreds or thousands of miles from its evaporation point to its precipitation point.  Water falling on higher elevation flows down to sea level (or below) releasing potential energy along the way.

Water wheels and other water powered mechanical devices have been used for over 6,000 years to grind grains, make paper, pump water, etc.  World production of hydro-electric power totaled 2341.1 TWh in 2008.

This is a picture of a small hydro generating station owned by Central Hudson Gas and Electric company located on the Rondout Creek in High Falls, NY.  It was constructed in 1986 and generates approximately 3.2 MW of electricity.  This is enough power to supply about 1400 homes in the Hudson Valley Region.

High Falls hydro generating house

High Falls hydro generating house

The generating house is to the right, the penstock starts at the weir gate (upper middle of picture between the trees) and goes underground to the generating house where it spins the generating equipment.

Picture of the trash grate over weir gate at entrance of penstock.  The trash grate keeps junk from getting into the penstock and turbines causing damage.  Penstock is a fancy name for pipe.

trash grate High Falls, NY hydro power plant

Trash grate High Falls, NY hydro power plant

The water then outflows from the base of the generating house and returns to the creek.

High Falls NY hydroplant outfolw

High Falls NY hydro plant outflow

The energy converted by a hydro-electric plant depends on the height of the water above the generator, commonly called head, and the rate of flow.  Higher head means more pressure and higher generator speeds which translates to voltage.  Higher flow means stronger more reliable mechanical energy which translates to current.

High Falls, NY hydro dam

High Falls, NY hydro dam

This site has been generating power of one form or another for nearly three hundred years.  Prior to this hydro electric plant, it was the sight of several mills.

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02 Aug 09 | Commentary, Micro Hydro Power | Comments (0)