(06/09/2003)
This proposal is to videotape and describe various methods of generating electric on a small scale. The video will be made into a DVD disk for ease of duplication and distribution. The project would be tracked over the Internet where information would also be available.
The idea is to visit sites generating electric from various sources and to videotape them. The first priority is to visit sites that are also creating an income from their excess generation.
The sources would include:
Solar
Wind
Geothermal
Hydro
Tidal
Biomass
Chemical
Hydrogen
And others if they are applicable to small-scale electrical generation.
We would also interview people from the public and private sector on the topic of small-scale electrical generation for selling back to the utilities.
The idea is to inform people on how others are becoming energy independent in their homes, also hybrid auto transportation and how they may also make an income by selling electric back to the utility via the power grid connected to their homes. This is to also help the DOE reach their Million-solar-roofs by 2010 program.
It would assist the millions of unemployed in getting a new career, that of creating a site to generate electric. It will also show them how to get started with equipment and financial information.
Everyone knows of the energy problem not only in the United States but also throughout the world. Our current dependence on fossil fuels has led to pollution and global warming.
While many homes are now supported by clean alternate fuels few people are aware of the availability of these sources nor how simple they are to install in many cases. Especially, they are not informed of the financial advantages of purchasing these systems and the payback period when they are installed. Many people have purchased generators without consideration of other forms of backup or generating electric. Imagine what the country and world would be like if instead of funding large power production more funds would be available to increase the generation that many homes now have to support their own usage to generate electric for 100 homes. Others would consider generating electric for sale to the grid. These people need more information and encouragement along with a understanding of the financial dealings.
Everyday, the headlines have something related to the many problems with energy we have today from; military action to protect the oil supplies and pollution from fossil fuels (burning them or oil spills) to businesses laying off people due to the high energy prices and corruption of energy companies like Enron (and their impact to the economy). In addition to this the power grid losses almost 50% of the electric generated at the power plant due to the distance the electric has to travel to the consumers. The consumers and taxpayers pay for all these situations. Either directly or indirectly or both!
Power plant pollution makes surrounding property unattractive to buyers and land values decline and no one wants a nuclear or fossil fuel power plant in their neighborhood. We need electric from clean and renewable sources along with jobs for millions of technical people out of work. Leaders need to provide information to the common citizen so that they join in and take the leap when given the financial incentives and information of how to create a site step by step.
Farmers could use electric generation as another means of generating income from their biowaste rather than paying to dispose it. Many people are moving to cities to get jobs and suburban and urban areas are losing taxable income. We plan to devout several sites where farms generating electric and making it another cash crop.
If people could generate electric not only will they be more able to handle grid power outages but also they would be more self-reliant and have a continuous source of income for retirement. Many baby boomers have lost most of their retirement and showing them the financial incentive in generating electric will make them more stable and they would have a legacy to leave their families. We would should some retirees who have taken what was left of their retirement accounts and invested it in renewable electric to produce a continuous income source rather than take any more changes on the market. We would also like to show it as as a insurance policy and also a legacy that they can leave to their families.
Furthermore, many people are in fear of what terrorist activities may do to the power grid and power plants. Decentralizing electrical generation would cause less impact in any power outage and create a more stable electric price.
The DOE has a commitment of a Million-solar-homes by 2010. Only those actively tracking renewable energy are familiar with the program.
The concept of the proposal is not only to show people how to produce electric for their own needs but to also think of making the production of electric an alternate form of income generation, as a possible career, or as supplemental continuous income for retirement.
Automotive dealers are coming out with hybrid cars that could be plugged into the home electrical system rather than using gasoline. An abundant supply of electric from clean renewable sources would stabilize transportation costs and aid the economy as well as the normal citizen who counts on electric for heating and cooling in addition to entertainment and work. Thus, more pollution and reliance on oil as our major energy source, would be avoided.
Wouldn’t it be great if our kids didn’t have to be worried of being called to war over oil!
The objective is to create a video that will show the actual generation of electric from various sources along with various products that are used to build a site and to connect to the grid. Some of the areas that will be covered are:
Solar Cells
Latest technology
Full spectrum cells
Ways to boost the solar energy entering the cell
Methods to track the sun
Wind Turbines
Various styles
Geothermal
Areas where appropriate and methods
Biomass
Different forms
Hydro
Small scale
Tidal
Methods
Chemical
Various ways and what is current and proposed (cold fusion)
Generating Electric
Stirling engines, Steam engines, micro turbines
Storage
Batteries
Fuel cells
Connecting to the Grid
The Home Electrical Service
Also
Politicians supporting renewable energy and controlling pollution
Private Individuals and independent experts
Federal agencies
State Agencies
Electrical Cooperates
And
Web Information
We will send out a small crew to various sites, after making arrangements with them, to videotape information on their system, the components, products, controls, costs and plans. We will also visit with members of the financial industry to discuss financing. Given that the utilities are buying the generated electric there should be little risk in the investment and we will try to support lower rates for sites that are generating electric from renewable sources. We will also cover incentives like tax rebates and others.
The sites will be filmed in segments, reviewed onsite to ensure enough material was gathered and it will be edited back in the office using personal computers and video editing software. It would then be placed onto a web site for reviewing and comments. A final edit will be done to reach the goal of the project. Project scheduling and tracking information will also be available on the site. Upon completion of the final version a Master DVD will be cut and duplicates will be made after reviewing the master version.
Additional information will be gathered from manufacturers, agencies at the federal and state level and groups doing research on new ideas and technologies. Also, additional formatting software and material may be on the DVD version.
The material will be available on the web; drafts of the final tape will be made available for review and agreement on the final product prior to cutting the final master tape for duplicating the DVDs’.
Upon approval, the material will be made available to the media for showing free of any cost. Appropriate credits would be added along with information from the sponsoring agencies.
The success of the project would be determined by the Federal Agencies and people who have obtained the DVDs’ and may have installed equipment based on the video information.
It will also be based on how many people decided to become independent from the power grid for their normal electrical supply. And how many are generating excess electric to produce an income.
We will continually welcome comments from the web site as the project progresses.. A survey will be available on the web and each DVD will contain the web address for feedback. The survey will include the quality of the picture, material and information. In addition, the person will be able to add as much text as written comments as they would like. The survey questions will be multiple choice to allow for easier grading and analysis.
I have performed Product Usability Analysis for IBM products for more than six years and making surveys for feedback. I would be interested in the feedback in order to determine the success of his stage and which steps to take next.
This is a project that only needs one time funding as
defined.
The video will be made into a DVD for distribution either by the Federal Agencies and/or via third party sales. Appropriate additions would be:
Current legal and financial considerations
Current Federal and State programs
Information on New Technology
Updates to the video information on products
It would be possible to add ads on the DVD as a future source of income and additional product information.
If there is interest, we will create a non-profit agency that will further the cause of renewable energy generation for profit. There appears to be no other group that is pushing for small-scale generation.but many that encourage alternate energy for homes.
Additional funding may add to the information in the future. Along with this video/DVD we will push the concept of small-scale generation that we call “Energy Farms” via
TV Shows
Magazines
Articles
Newspaper columns
Internet site with Newsletter
Salaries includes benefits:
–Project Leader/Director /Producer - $60,000
–Video camera operator/editor - $45,000
–Web designer - $30,000
-Administrator/Accountant - $30,000
Subtotal for Personnel -$165,000
–Computers (2) laptops (1) desktop (2) and supplies - $10,000
–Video equipment and tapes - $10,000
-Travel (18 trips for staff of 3) - $60,000
–Web site with storage/server for 1 year - $ 3,000
-DVD replication (1,000 units) - $ 5,000
Subtotal for other than salaries - $88,000
Office space, telephone and other office items are available.
–TOTAL $253,000 for Year 1