There are several requirements for a CMG (Community MicroGrid) project:
1. Leadership
2. Interested and committed community members
3. Demand reduction to appropriate energy footprint
4. 100% renewables, fossil fuel based energy phase-out
5. Energy permaculture process
6. Islanding, no (minimal) connection to main grid
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1. Leadership
The community as a whole must be in a position of leadership and be stalwart about it. This is also the #1 reason why CMGs fail - lack of leadership. The community needs to have a senior council or several co-leaders to guide itself through the maze of issues and changing challenges during a CMG project.
2. Interested and committed community members + external market
All community members need to be on board with a CMG project. All interested parties need to be sitting at the CMG planning + design table. On going communication of all discussions, challenges and decisions to all community members is critical.
3. Demand reduction to appropriate energy footprint
Before looking at energy supplies, a community needs to look at its energy demand and usage. A hierarchy of critical, needed, wanted, and luxury types of energy demand is useful in establishing base and peak load patterns. By reducing demand during certain periods, energy system development and operating costs can be dramatically reduced. For instance, using LED lighting can reduce a communities lighting budget by up to 80% - thus avoiding a large amount of needed energy supplies.
4. 100% renewables, fossil fuel based energy phase-out
CMGs can get all the energy they need from within a 5km circle around their property. All fossil fuels are unsustainable - they are finite and eventually will run out. They are also costly to extract, refine and inefficient to use. There are dozens of renewable energy resources and technologies available. The renewable energy matrix (see blog entitled: RE Matrix) Most communities have enough local, natural resources within their own area. Each community must be careful to establish a long-term sustainable and continuous supply of these natural resources.
5. Energy permaculture process
Please refer to the blog entitled 'energy permaculture' for details on this process. These are the steps that a community needs to take to establish, design, install and operate a long-term, successful CMG.
6. Islanding, no (minimal) connection to main grid
While it will be initially difficult to wean a community off the 'habit of convenience' of being connected to the main grid, a CMG's ultimate goal is to be self-reliant. While many areas have financial incentives to sell excess renewable energy back to the main grid (necessitating a net-metering hook-up), the long term implications are not good.
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If there are any communities that would like to pursue a CMG project, our team stands ready to provide assistance.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Saturday, December 22, 2012
CMG project rq'mts
Note: This blog is more of a spec than a narrative.... a work in progress...
As my CMG (Community MicroGrid_ knowledge and network evolves, I am getting picky about my next CMG project.
The last couple projects (Indonesia, ARC, etc) had many shortcomings while they were filled with blessings and learnings. I ain't getting any younger and I want a 'stage play' - not a 'dress rehearsal'. Also I am into DOING things and not sitting around in meeting rooms - shovel in the ground and hauling around dirt + rocks is where I want to be.
Foremost are the people (#1) involved in the project = I gotta meet the people first, and preferably the whole team before committing to a longterm engagement. There's gotta be chemistry and synergy.
Next is the location (#2) = within 1000 miles of me and if it's a developing area they gotta follow Paul Pollack's wisdom (no more travels halfway around the world or in unenlightened 3rd world countries + NGOs).
Then there's project scope (#3) = An absolute (no compromise) is that the project must be 100% off the grid with no fossil fuel generators (even 'biogas' generators!) This is usually the deal breaker, but I insist. After all, it's easy to do a CMG connected to the grid to forgive all the engineering + design mistakes. One of the principles that I follow (from C2C) is: 'regulation is a sign of design error'... and so it goes with our current main electrical/energy grid. About the only exemption to this rq'mt would be if a main grid tie-in is solely for financial gains (selling excess power).
And finally there's my qualifications (#4). Hey, there may be a project that is WAY out of my league. It cold be overshoot or undershoot. I doubt it'll be the former. If the project is too simplistic (eg.100% solar PV), or too rustic (no running water, etc) then I'll pass. On the other hand if it involves hi-end capital (eg. >5mw hydro or solar/wind, or utility scale geothermal) well that's beyond my expertise and there are others more suited for this kind of project.
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I'm thinking I will find my next CMG project within my own networking (several prospects already, but no definitive project yet!), within Sonoma County, or in Europe - where they are 20+ years ahead of the USA in CMGs. So stay tuned... my next CMG project will be posted on this blog.
As my CMG (Community MicroGrid_ knowledge and network evolves, I am getting picky about my next CMG project.
The last couple projects (Indonesia, ARC, etc) had many shortcomings while they were filled with blessings and learnings. I ain't getting any younger and I want a 'stage play' - not a 'dress rehearsal'. Also I am into DOING things and not sitting around in meeting rooms - shovel in the ground and hauling around dirt + rocks is where I want to be.
Foremost are the people (#1) involved in the project = I gotta meet the people first, and preferably the whole team before committing to a longterm engagement. There's gotta be chemistry and synergy.
Next is the location (#2) = within 1000 miles of me and if it's a developing area they gotta follow Paul Pollack's wisdom (no more travels halfway around the world or in unenlightened 3rd world countries + NGOs).
Then there's project scope (#3) = An absolute (no compromise) is that the project must be 100% off the grid with no fossil fuel generators (even 'biogas' generators!) This is usually the deal breaker, but I insist. After all, it's easy to do a CMG connected to the grid to forgive all the engineering + design mistakes. One of the principles that I follow (from C2C) is: 'regulation is a sign of design error'... and so it goes with our current main electrical/energy grid. About the only exemption to this rq'mt would be if a main grid tie-in is solely for financial gains (selling excess power).
And finally there's my qualifications (#4). Hey, there may be a project that is WAY out of my league. It cold be overshoot or undershoot. I doubt it'll be the former. If the project is too simplistic (eg.100% solar PV), or too rustic (no running water, etc) then I'll pass. On the other hand if it involves hi-end capital (eg. >5mw hydro or solar/wind, or utility scale geothermal) well that's beyond my expertise and there are others more suited for this kind of project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm thinking I will find my next CMG project within my own networking (several prospects already, but no definitive project yet!), within Sonoma County, or in Europe - where they are 20+ years ahead of the USA in CMGs. So stay tuned... my next CMG project will be posted on this blog.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Lo-Cost Energy: A whole different approach
Most low-cost energy approaches are about reducing your daily energy consumption by changing lights and temperatures, adding insulation, etc. The lo-cost energy (LCE) I will talk about here is a WHOLE different concept that focuses on basic energy service needs using appropriate hi-technology and science, mixed with a dash of proven simple ancient principles.
Let's start with something easy.
LED lights
These are so appropriate and so slam-dunk, I can't figure out why everyone is not cleaning out Ikea's LED inventory. That's unfortunately the only source we have in the USA for reasonable LED technology: www.ikea.com
Most of Home Depot and Lowe's LED lights are boring and expensive:
update: The above comments were written in June 2011. Now, in April 2013 the big box stores have embraced LEDs and the price has come down dramatically. On a recent trip to Europe, for the first time in over 10 years I did not buy a single LED light there - high prices and poor selection. Amazing how in less than 2 years and entire market can flip-flop.
I know I have a lot to learn about fickle consumer behaviour, and I have to put my engineering brain on stand-by for a while - but com'on - this ain't rocket science! LED's are at least three times more efficient, they last at least five times longer that CFLs.
I think I've blogged about this before: It's a very cool stand-alone solar LED light made by Ikea. I gave a friend one of these recently, and it was wonderful to see the reaction and appreciation. It should be in every single home. It would do more to change our fossil-fuel addicted, unaware-of-the-sun, flip-a-switch-if-you-need-it, addicted-to-fossil-fuel, mass-media-addicted-consumerism-blinded behaviour. Oh, that's a mouthful!
Here's the link:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70196857#/70196857/
It's only $19.99. And for each light you purchase, Ikea gives one free light to a poor kid somewhere.
I can't vouch for your payback (and if you need to calculate it you're missing the point). What I like even more about this lamp is that it requires you to move it into the sun each day. That's a behavioural change that some people will object to - and that's at the root cause of our energy addiction issue. We've stopped living with current solar income. So ya gotta move de light into the sun once a day - whass de big deal, huh?
Biomass
A close second to LED lights is the gasification of biomass. The NEW technology of biomass gasification without sacrificing ANY food nutrients or materials for this purpose. The OLD biomass technology was filled with emission and smoke issues along with inefficiencies. In Denmark, it is now common practice to have waste incinerators located in the middle of dense urban areas to produce electricity and heat (co-gen). The Danes have leverage hi-tech and scientific know-how to turn a growing resource (garbage) into locally produced energy without emissions or toxic waste byproducts.
An entire blog will address this very large field.
Rocket Stoves
A close cousing to biomass gasification is another highly appropriate LCE concept that is fast gaining momentum in permaculture circles: rocket stoves.
It's difficult to describe how a rocket stove works without getting into technical details.
Here's Wikipedia's definition: A rocket stove is an innovative clean and efficient cooking stove using small diameter wood fuel which is burnt in simple high-temperature combustion chamber containing an insulated vertical chimney which ensures complete combustion prior to the flames reaching the cooking surface.
This is a very cool example of how some innovative NGO's set about to reduce developing countries' deforestation (wood for cooking) and design/built numerous rocket stoves which are now finding their way back to these NGO's homeland - us!
One can use a small tin-can type rocket stove for quick cooking, a rocket mass heater for large space heating, or as shown below - for water heating. With a rocket stove's low emissions, low-operating temp, ease of construction, efficient + effective burning, this is truly an example of appropriate lo-cost energy technology.
LCE Database:
For starters, I have developed a database of appropriate, lo-cost concepts, products, services, and strategies; that I will provide links for at a later time. If any of these specifically interest you, please email me.
1. ABS solar pre-heater
2. Greywater + Rainwater
3. Slow Sand Filter
4. LED lighting
5. DIY Solar PV + SHW
6. Solar Space Heater
7. Solar Dehydrator
8. Solar Cooling
9. Pot-in-Pot Cooler
10. Root Cellars
11. Rocket Stoves
12. Ridin’ the gradient
13. Thermal mass + curtains
14. Thermal Chimney
15. Geothermal, subterranean
16. Earth Tubes
12 step LCE program
There's also a 12 step program (tongue-in-cheek) approach for those totally addicted to high cost energy:
‘ Cure your energy addiction ‘
1. We admit we are powerless as energy hogs, and that our utility bills are unmanageable.
2. We believe that an LCE Power greater than ourselves can lower our energy costs.
3. We decide to turn our will and our lives to a simpler yet fulfilling lifestyle, to turn over our basic energy needs to LCE.
4. Made a searching + fearless asset inventory of our needs for energy services.
5. Admitted to ourselves and others that we can overcome our energy transgressions.
6. We are ready to have the Energy Power remove all these defective energy transgressions.
7. Humbly ask to adopt a new Energy Power.
8. Made a list of all energy transgressions, and are willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends of our energy transgressions wherever possible, without inconveniencing others.
10. Continue to stay conscious of our energy transgressions, when we are wrong we admit it.
11. Sought thru wisdom of ancients, (real) science and technology to use appropriate energy for needed services, continually searching for knowledge to simplify and power to carry it out.
12. Having had a Energy Power awakening as the result of these steps, we carry this message to other energy hogs practicing these LCE principles in all our affairs.
Let's start with something easy.
LED lights
These are so appropriate and so slam-dunk, I can't figure out why everyone is not cleaning out Ikea's LED inventory. That's unfortunately the only source we have in the USA for reasonable LED technology: www.ikea.com
Most of Home Depot and Lowe's LED lights are boring and expensive:
I know I have a lot to learn about fickle consumer behaviour, and I have to put my engineering brain on stand-by for a while - but com'on - this ain't rocket science! LED's are at least three times more efficient, they last at least five times longer that CFLs.
I think I've blogged about this before: It's a very cool stand-alone solar LED light made by Ikea. I gave a friend one of these recently, and it was wonderful to see the reaction and appreciation. It should be in every single home. It would do more to change our fossil-fuel addicted, unaware-of-the-sun, flip-a-switch-if-you-need-it, addicted-to-fossil-fuel, mass-media-addicted-consumerism-blinded behaviour. Oh, that's a mouthful!
Here's the link:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70196857#/70196857/
It's only $19.99. And for each light you purchase, Ikea gives one free light to a poor kid somewhere.
I can't vouch for your payback (and if you need to calculate it you're missing the point). What I like even more about this lamp is that it requires you to move it into the sun each day. That's a behavioural change that some people will object to - and that's at the root cause of our energy addiction issue. We've stopped living with current solar income. So ya gotta move de light into the sun once a day - whass de big deal, huh?
Biomass
A close second to LED lights is the gasification of biomass. The NEW technology of biomass gasification without sacrificing ANY food nutrients or materials for this purpose. The OLD biomass technology was filled with emission and smoke issues along with inefficiencies. In Denmark, it is now common practice to have waste incinerators located in the middle of dense urban areas to produce electricity and heat (co-gen). The Danes have leverage hi-tech and scientific know-how to turn a growing resource (garbage) into locally produced energy without emissions or toxic waste byproducts.
An entire blog will address this very large field.
Rocket Stoves
A close cousing to biomass gasification is another highly appropriate LCE concept that is fast gaining momentum in permaculture circles: rocket stoves.
It's difficult to describe how a rocket stove works without getting into technical details.
Here's Wikipedia's definition: A rocket stove is an innovative clean and efficient cooking stove using small diameter wood fuel which is burnt in simple high-temperature combustion chamber containing an insulated vertical chimney which ensures complete combustion prior to the flames reaching the cooking surface.
This is a very cool example of how some innovative NGO's set about to reduce developing countries' deforestation (wood for cooking) and design/built numerous rocket stoves which are now finding their way back to these NGO's homeland - us!
One can use a small tin-can type rocket stove for quick cooking, a rocket mass heater for large space heating, or as shown below - for water heating. With a rocket stove's low emissions, low-operating temp, ease of construction, efficient + effective burning, this is truly an example of appropriate lo-cost energy technology.
LCE Database:
For starters, I have developed a database of appropriate, lo-cost concepts, products, services, and strategies; that I will provide links for at a later time. If any of these specifically interest you, please email me.
1. ABS solar pre-heater
2. Greywater + Rainwater
3. Slow Sand Filter
4. LED lighting
5. DIY Solar PV + SHW
6. Solar Space Heater
7. Solar Dehydrator
8. Solar Cooling
9. Pot-in-Pot Cooler
10. Root Cellars
11. Rocket Stoves
12. Ridin’ the gradient
13. Thermal mass + curtains
14. Thermal Chimney
15. Geothermal, subterranean
16. Earth Tubes
12 step LCE program
There's also a 12 step program (tongue-in-cheek) approach for those totally addicted to high cost energy:
‘ Cure your energy addiction ‘
1. We admit we are powerless as energy hogs, and that our utility bills are unmanageable.
2. We believe that an LCE Power greater than ourselves can lower our energy costs.
3. We decide to turn our will and our lives to a simpler yet fulfilling lifestyle, to turn over our basic energy needs to LCE.
4. Made a searching + fearless asset inventory of our needs for energy services.
5. Admitted to ourselves and others that we can overcome our energy transgressions.
6. We are ready to have the Energy Power remove all these defective energy transgressions.
7. Humbly ask to adopt a new Energy Power.
8. Made a list of all energy transgressions, and are willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends of our energy transgressions wherever possible, without inconveniencing others.
10. Continue to stay conscious of our energy transgressions, when we are wrong we admit it.
11. Sought thru wisdom of ancients, (real) science and technology to use appropriate energy for needed services, continually searching for knowledge to simplify and power to carry it out.
12. Having had a Energy Power awakening as the result of these steps, we carry this message to other energy hogs practicing these LCE principles in all our affairs.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Solar Hot Water
There is no other renewable energy technology that is more appropriate than solar (lo-temp) thermal, commonly called solar hot water (SHW) systems. Residential households use about 2000KWH a year or $350/year in a typical utility bill. This energy bill can easily be eliminated with a solar hot water heater. Unless the location receives no sunlight for substantial periods of time, it's feasible everywhere. One of the BIG advantages of solar hot water is that only partial sunlight is required to make hot water, and one of the typical issues with SHW is that you get TOO much hot water - a very nice problem to have!
SHW systems are typically between 60-80% efficient in converting solar radiation (insolation) to useful (BTU) heat. The highest efficiency in large commercial power plants is 34% from a solar hi-temp thermal Stirling engine type.
Wikipedia has an EXCELLENT summary of solar hot water systems for residential usage.
There are two major types of solar HW systems: Direct or Indirect. Passive or Active. So you can have an indirect active system (most common) or a direct passive system such as a thermosiphon.
I recommend Direct semi-active systems = Drainback with a PV powered variable DC pump. Here's a simple illustration:
SHW systems are typically between 60-80% efficient in converting solar radiation (insolation) to useful (BTU) heat. The highest efficiency in large commercial power plants is 34% from a solar hi-temp thermal Stirling engine type.
Wikipedia has an EXCELLENT summary of solar hot water systems for residential usage.
There are two major types of solar HW systems: Direct or Indirect. Passive or Active. So you can have an indirect active system (most common) or a direct passive system such as a thermosiphon.
I recommend Direct semi-active systems = Drainback with a PV powered variable DC pump. Here's a simple illustration:
In a drainback system, the water drains out of the collector when there's no hot water - thereby preventing freezing.
I can highly recommend this book by Tom Lane. You can obtain it from the Builders Booksource here.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Introduction to Microgrids (CMGs)
Welcome to this blog which is focused on CMGs: Community MicroGrids
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Let’s define microgrids
“ Microgrids are modern, small-scale versions of the centralized electricity system. They achieve specific local goals, such as reliability, carbon emission reduction, diversification of energy sources, and cost reduction, established by the community being served. Like the bulk power grid, smart microgrids generate, distribute, and regulate the flow of electricity to consumers, but do so locally. Smart microgrids are an ideal way to integrate renewable resources on the community level and allow for customer participation in the electricity enterprise.
A microgrid is a localized grouping of electricity generation, energy storage, and loads that normally operates connected to a traditional centralized grid (macrogrid). This single point of common coupling with the macrogrid can be disconnected. The microgrid can then function autonomously.[8]
Microgrids offer a compelling alternative to traditional energy generation and distribution, utilizing smart grid technologies to enable integrated control of distributed power generation assets either in parallel to or “islanded” from the utility power grid.
I respectfully disagree with all these definitions. They are legacy definitions. Like putting new technology over old cow paths. Our electrical and energy infrastructure was designed (mostly by accident) and put in place over 100 years ago. It is outdated at its core. The model of the monopoly, oligarchy style utility and government regulation longer work with our post-industrial society. We need new energy infrastructure.
Like a home gardener who has discovered permaculture and all its wonders by putting nature back to work, we need a permaculture based energy system, a community based independent energy microgrids tied to 100% renewables.
Yes we can Live well without the mainstream energy grid
Mainstream Acronyms + Terminology:
AC, DC = Alternating Current, Direct Current
CERTS = Consortium for Electrical Reliability
CHP = Combined Heat and Power
Co/Tri-gen = Cogeneration/Trigeneration (Heat/Cool + Electricity)
DER = Distributed Energy Resources
DPS = Distributed Power Systems
DUPS = Distributed Uninterruptable Power Supply
IEEE = Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
PQR = Power Quality + Reliability
PV = Photovoltaics
RE = Renewable Energy
T+D = Transmission and Distribution
UEC = Uniform Electrical Code
UPS = Uninterruptable Power Supply
VSI = Voltage Source Inverters
I will be using the acronym CMG = Community MicroGrids from hereon out. It is a plural word (microgrids), because a community’s microgrid system consists of multiple, diverse microgrids all interconnected and with adjacent communities’ microgrids (not the main grid). A successful microgrid cannot stand alone.
Clarifications + Approach
Most microgrid discussions are about electricity only. A few add natural gas for heating (but mostly from co-gen), and very few talk about multiple energy sources. They always talk about tying into the main grid and working with the utilities and governmental regulators. This is NOT the case for small, island type microgrids, which are built as stand-alone, from the ground up systems.
All my discussions about CMG will be from the ground up: from a local community’s individual citizenry platform and up. Some people call this an organic or grass roots approach. For mainstream microgrids it's usually from the ‘top-down’.
top-down microgrids won't work
Working from the 'top-down' is a non-starter. We’ve tried it for over 30 years, and what has it gotten us? I dare predict another ‘energy’ related disaster will occur within the next 12months. Whether it’s a soft or hard accident is immaterial. We are holding onto the thin thread that has a hundred pound gorilla doing a wire act. There are inherent inefficiencies in our grid system for which we are all paying and helping continue an outdated, monopolistic energy system. Bottom line: we are only getting 20-30% of the electrical energy out of our plugs, but paying for 100% of its generation!
top-down microgrids won't work
Working from the 'top-down' is a non-starter. We’ve tried it for over 30 years, and what has it gotten us? I dare predict another ‘energy’ related disaster will occur within the next 12months. Whether it’s a soft or hard accident is immaterial. We are holding onto the thin thread that has a hundred pound gorilla doing a wire act. There are inherent inefficiencies in our grid system for which we are all paying and helping continue an outdated, monopolistic energy system. Bottom line: we are only getting 20-30% of the electrical energy out of our plugs, but paying for 100% of its generation!
Instead, we need to work from a grass-roots level.
Defintion of CMG (Community MicroGrids)
A CMG is a stand-alone, small interconnected energy grid based on 100% renewable supplies; that are transmitted and distributed only to local community residences and businesses.
- CMGs are connected to other similar CMGs within adjacent communities.
- CMGs are not tied to the main utility grid, it is stand-alone.
- CMGs provide 6sigma reliability and have safety as their primary objective.
- CMGs are developed, owned and maintained; 100% by local citizenry.
- CMGs monitor and heal themselves.
It doesn’t get any greener or more sustainable than this.
Let’s create a community independent energy microgrid within YOUR community First one, then two, then many. Look around you - there is plenty of current solar income (C2C principle) available. All separate, all with hi-tech controls + equalizers, etc., all enabling a community to use and distribute it’s own local renewable resources to provide it's citizenry its essential energy needs.
It won't be easy. It's a tall order. Look at what Marin County went through last year (trading PG+E for Shell). You can start today. Start by measuring your daily watts.
We use 11,500+ watts/person/day (on average). A big part of the success for CMGs will be to reduce this energy demand profile. We need to get down around 3-5,000 w/p/d to make CMGs work.
More on that in the next blog: LCE (Lo-Cost Energy, a whole different approach).
It won't be easy. It's a tall order. Look at what Marin County went through last year (trading PG+E for Shell). You can start today. Start by measuring your daily watts.
We use 11,500+ watts/person/day (on average). A big part of the success for CMGs will be to reduce this energy demand profile. We need to get down around 3-5,000 w/p/d to make CMGs work.
More on that in the next blog: LCE (Lo-Cost Energy, a whole different approach).
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Please email me directly if you'd like more information, a detailed presentation, or would like to join the team that we are putting together.
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