Examples of using alternative energy in the form of ready-made solutions and do-it-yourself devices

Sooner or later, hydrocarbon reserves on our planet will run out. Even taking into account the introduction of various technologies to save them, the depletion of coal, oil and gas reserves is not far off. The cost of energy is growing and people understand that only they themselves can take care of the safety of their budget. Therefore, they pay attention to alternative energy sources. In addition, interest in alternative energy is caused by the banal absence in some places of the "benefits of civilization" in the form of gas and electricity. It often happens that the supply of electricity or gas to some settlements is not economically justified, and residents cannot do this at their own expense. Therefore, the owners of private houses do it themselves or purchase various installations for generating heat and electricity. After all, energy is contained in sunlight, wind, the bowels of the Earth, ebb and flow. In addition, temperature differences, the energy of falling water and other sources of alternative energy are used. In this article, we will talk about various interesting hand-made installations in the field of alternative energy.

As you know, the surrounding nature is full of energy. Surely, everyone has heard that it is possible to use sunlight, wind, tides, low tides and other renewable energy sources quite effectively. Moreover, this energy can be used on a national scale, but it can only be used to provide energy to a private house or summer cottage.

Below are some examples of installations that convert alternative energy to light and heat:

• Solar panel;
• Installation for biogas production;
• Wind generator.

If you have available funds, you can purchase such installations and pay for the installation. Due to the presence of a steady demand for such installations, manufacturers abroad and in Russia have launched the production of similar products. But if you are on a budget, then you can try to make such installations yourself.

Let's take a look at some examples.

The principle of operation of all types of heat pumps is based on Carnot cycles. The installation is a refrigerator. In the process of work, it takes up low-potential energy when it cools. And then it converts it into heat energy with high potential. The role of the environment can be air, earth, water. These substances contain a certain amount of heat at any time. The heat pump includes the following main components:

• The outer circuit, which contains the natural heat carrier;
• Internal circuit filled with water;
• Compressor;
• Evaporator;
• Capacitor.

As in a household refrigerator, freon is used in such systems. The outer contour, as a rule, is immersed in a well with water or simply in a body of water on the surface. There are options when the outer contour is buried in the ground. But this is expensive and not always feasible.

There are ready-made solutions for heat pumps, and there are those models that are made by hand. How to make this device for using alternative energy with your own hands? First you need to find a compressor. If you have an old air conditioner or refrigerator, you can remove from them. The power required for heating is up to 10 kW.

The heat pump manifold can be installed both horizontally and vertically. The second option is used if there is not enough space. Then several wells are drilled, into which the contour is lowered. If the location is horizontal, then the collector is buried about 1.5 meters in the ground. The heat exchanger in the water is done when the heated dwelling is located near the shore of a natural reservoir. The condenser requires a capacity of 120-140 liters. A copper coil is placed in it, where freon circulates.

The evaporator can be made from a plastic container of the same volume as the condenser. A copper coil is inserted into it, which is combined through the compressor with what is in the condenser.

When making a system with your own hands, the branch pipe for the evaporator is usually made from a piece of the sewer pipe. With the help of a branch pipe, the flow of water is regulated. The evaporator is lowered into a reservoir. When it flows around, water starts the process of evaporation of freon. That, in turn, rises up into the condenser. There it gives off thermal energy to the water in which the coil is located. This water heats the house by circulating in the heating system.

It should be noted that the temperature of the water in the reservoir is not so important. The main thing is that she be there constantly. If the pump is designed and installed correctly, it can heat the house in winter. Even if the water temperature in the reservoir is very low. In summer, the heat pump can act as an air conditioner to cool the room.

Solar panels

This is perhaps the most common alternative energy use. In this case, the source of alternative energy is sunlight, and it is converted into electric current. can be viewed at the link.

Solar panels are offered as part of ready-made solutions and can be made by hand. If these are factory-made installations, then, as a rule, the kit includes a controller, an inverter, sometimes batteries, the necessary wires and fasteners. Although you can find quite a few proposals when solar panels are sold separately.

As for making solar panels with their own hands, for many this activity has become a real hobby. Sometimes even exhibitions are held on the topic of the use of alternative energy. On them, enthusiasts show solar panels that they made with their own hands.

To make solar panels on your own, you need to buy photocells (on mono or polycrystals) and solder them into a series circuit. The number of cells is determined by the required voltage and power output of the battery. You can't make photocells with your own hands. The technology is complex and can only be implemented in a factory environment.

So, what needs to be done step by step:

• Solder the photocells into the serial circuit;
• Attach them to a stele, polycarbonate or other material that allows sunlight to pass through. Execution is different. Photocells are positioned between the panes and the joints are insulated. Sometimes the elements are simply fixed on the glass with a protective automotive film;
• Make a battery case from aluminum corners;
• Install the panel with photocells into the housing;
• Connect the panel with other solar system elements.

Biogas is a clean fuel that is produced without harming the environment. Its production technology is based on the activity of anaerobic bacteria. Food waste is used as a raw material for biogas synthesis.

Waste, both liquid and solid, is placed in a container. It must be a sealed container that is equipped with a screw. It is used to stir this mass. In addition, the following should be provided:

• Waste loading entrance;
• Outlet for waste residues that have not been recycled;
• Gas outlet.

The tightness of the installation must be carried out especially carefully. If it is planned to take gas from the tank periodically, then a special valve must be provided. With it, you can relieve excess pressure if necessary. During the decomposition of biological waste in this unit, hydrogen sulfide and methane are released, which contain carbon dioxide.

In general, creating a plant for the synthesis of biogas with your own hands is not an easy task. Usually, in practice, ready-made solutions are used, but some craftsmen independently make such installations to obtain alternative energy. To do this, several tasks should be solved, as described below:

• It is necessary to equip a place for the container. Its volume is selected based on how much waste will be processed at the same time. To ensure the efficient operation of the installation, it must be 2/3 full. The container itself can be made of metal or concrete. In terms of productivity, 100 m3 of gas is obtained from 1 ton of food waste.;
• Arrange heating. To speed up the process, the waste container must be heated. There may be several options here. For example, a coil around the tank or heating element under the tank. Anaerobic bacteria become active when heated to a certain temperature. Therefore, heating is necessary;
• Automation. Heating should be turned on when a new batch of waste is loaded and turned off when a certain temperature is reached;
• We need a gas power generator to convert the resulting biogas;
• Collection of waste raw materials should be organized. This waste can be used to fertilize garden beds.

Such plants for the generation of biogas are used in the USA and China in various private households and on farms. The main problem here is to organize continuous production of biogas. This will require a constant stream of food waste or manure.

— the ability to forever forget about the need to pay large bills for electricity, gas or heat supply. With the right approach to solving the problem, you can provide the farm with everything it needs and even sell the "surplus" to a neighbor, while receiving a stable income. Against this background, many questions arise:

• What can be used as an energy source?
• How efficient are solar panels?
• What types of solar collectors are there, and what are their features?
• What are the subtleties of wind turbines and heat pumps?
• Can biogas plants be used at home and how do they work?

There are plenty of alternative energy sources today. It remains to determine the appropriate option.

General Provisions

Almost everything around us is to some extent a source of energy. A person can use the bright rays of the sun, the power of the wind, the energy of the earth or water. The main difficulty is to extract the available potential of nature to your advantage. With a competent approach to the implementation of the project with the help of alternative energy sources, it is possible to "obtain" everything necessary for a private house - heat, electricity, gas and warm water.

Alternative energy is available to everyone. It doesn't require much experience or special talents. With knowledge of a certain algorithm, all manipulations can be done by hand, without the involvement of specialists.

The options are as follows:

1. Converting wind power into electrical energy. This is not difficult to implement with a wind generator.
2. Using the rays of the sun to generate electricity or heat water. In the second case, it is possible to create a low-temperature heating system.
3. The use of biogas apparatus. With their help, it is possible to obtain gas from poultry or animal manure.
4. Connection of heat pumps that provide a comfortable temperature in the house. Heating in this case is produced by the heat of the main natural elements - earth, water and air.

Alternative energy sources open up new perspectives in solving any issues related to the arrangement of a comfortable life. The difficulty is that to provide a home with everything you need, a large investment will be required. The best option is to use the possibilities of alternative energy without disconnecting from the general network of gas, water or electricity. With this approach, it is possible to save the family budget, recoup the costs of introducing new technology into life and provide redundancy in case of force majeure.

Solar energy: general provisions

Energy surrounds us everywhere, and one of its main sources is the sun and its radiation. To get the most out of the Fire Disc, you can use one of the following devices:

• ... With the help of such devices, it is possible to obtain an electric current.
• ... These devices are designed to heat water, which is subsequently pumped into the house.

There is a misconception that the use of solar energy is possible only in regions with a southern climate, where warm weather prevails. In fact, there are enough bright rays to generate electricity, and the season does not matter. Practice shows that solar panels cope well with duties in winter. The only difference is the amount of energy supplied (in summer it is slightly higher).

How to determine that the use of the sun as an alternative source of energy will be relevant? Here it is worth focusing on the number of sunny days per year. The more, the better.

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The installation of such a device allows you to once and for all solve the issue of electricity for your home, forgetting about unplanned outages, unstandardized voltage levels, and the need to pay large sums for consumed kilowatts. The device is based on photovoltaic converters, which are produced using special minerals. The latter are activated by the rays of the sun and generate electricity.

If the main task is the power supply of a private house, silicon-type photoconverters are sufficient. Structurally, they are of two types:

1. Monocrystalline... In this case, one crystal is used. The advantages of such a converter include a decent efficiency (13-25%), as well as an increased resource. The downside is that the cost of such products is quite high.
2. Polycrystalline - more affordable converters, which are based on a large number of crystals. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the lower efficiency (at the level of 9-15%), as well as frequent breakdowns.

How to make a solar panel yourself?

For self-assembly of an alternative energy source, several silicon solar cells are required, which can be ordered in China at an affordable price. The total number of purchased elements depends on the required power (on average 5-7 kW).

1. Use metal corners or wooden planks to assemble the frame. Then mount the substrate, which can be of two types:

• Transparent (here you should use organic or ordinary glass). This option is suitable for cases where the battery is installed on a window.
• Opaque - cover, which can be used as a sheet of plywood, painted white on top. This method is relevant for mounting an alternative source on the roof of a house.

1. Combine all elements into one circuit using a soldering iron. Connection diagram - in parallel. If the conductors are already soldered to the plates, this is only a plus, but the cost of purchasing such products will be higher. Otherwise, do the work yourself.
2. Seal the finished solar panel. Epoxy resin or a special EVA film is suitable for this task. When performing work, make sure that there are no air layers on the surface. Otherwise, battery performance will be reduced in these areas. If such bubbles are found during the inspection, immediately drive them out.

If the solar panel is installed on the roof, and plywood is used as a substrate, painting the surface white is mandatory. This is to protect the silicon cells from overheating. Everything is simple here. The temperature range of working devices is from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius. Going beyond these boundaries leads to the rapid breakdown of expensive parts. In extreme heat, the surface can heat up above +50 degrees Celsius, which poses a risk to the silicon wafer. The white color protects from sunlight and prevents the surface from overheating.

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Alternative energy sources do an excellent job of heating air or water for a home. This is where solar collectors come in handy, in which warm liquid can be directed to a heating unit or tap. This option is not suitable for a central heating system, but just right for creating warm floors. This recommendation is due to the low leaving water temperature.

The main task when arranging the system is the possibility of redundancy - switching to another heat source (boiler or boiler). Such foresight will help to avoid problems when the weather conditions deteriorate.

There are three types of solar collectors. Let's consider each of them in more detail:

1. Plastic (flat) - collectors, which consist of two panels (transparent and black), combined in one body. Between them is a copper piping that bends like a "snake" to cover the maximum area. The bottom (black) panel is heated by sunlight and then the heat is transferred to the copper pipes.
   1. The only advantage of the design is simplicity of execution, but its efficiency is low. An alternative heat source is suitable for heating the water in a shower or pool. In the latter case, the liquid is driven in a closed loop using a pump.
   2. The disadvantage of the design is low productivity, because it takes time and several devices to heat a large volume of water.
2. Air - the most scarce collectors in Russia. The device is distinguished by its simplicity and efficiency. The disadvantage is that it takes a lot of space to install and configure. Structurally, the air type of the device is similar to a flat collector, because there are also transparent and black panels. The difference is that they do not heat water, but air, which is directed into the house with the help of a fan. At first glance, such a structure seems ineffective, but with its help you can warm up a small room throughout the year. One alternative source of energy is enough for this - the sun. The device can be used to heat barns with animals, a country house or a garage.
3. Tubular - collectors, which consist of a group of tubes (coaxial or vacuum). Water flows through them, which heats up and is supplied to the house. An obligatory component of the design is a storage container, where the water is heated.
   1. One of the elements of the system is a pump that circulates the liquid. It can also be solar powered. The disadvantage of the system is the need to purchase a one-piece structure, because you cannot make it yourself. It is also not always possible to buy a device because of the too high price. Among the advantages, it is worth highlighting the efficiency and the ability to heat the whole house.

The sun is an alternative source of energy that, when used correctly, is capable of miracles. With its help, it is possible to obtain electricity and heat. All that remains is to select the equipment and implement your plans.

Another renewable source is wind, which is almost always present. There are periods of complete calm, but very rarely. It is interesting that the power of the wind was used by our ancestors - for example, in the same mills for making flour. At the present stage, this alternative energy source can be used to generate electricity. To cover the needs of the home, you will need:

• Generator with blades fixed to it.
• A tower, which is mounted in a special place (where windy weather predominates to a greater extent).
• Storage battery, as well as a system for the transmission of electrical energy.

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How to make a wind generator yourself?

First, a tower is built, for which any material (wood, metal, brick, etc.) can be used. The next step is to purchase a battery, and then start preparing the generator. The latter can also be purchased, but if you have an old engine on hand, it is easy to make it yourself. The "raw material" for the alteration can be taken from a washing machine, drill or other device. You will also need epoxy, magnets (preferably neodymium type), and a lathe.

1. Make markings on the rotor for the subsequent installation of the magnets, which should be equidistant.
2. Turn the rotor of the selected engine, creating special grooves in this way. Make sure the bottom of the recess is slightly tilted.
3. Install the magnets in the prepared places using liquid nails, and then fill them with epoxy.
4. Use sandpaper to finish the surface to perfection.
5. Attach the collector brushes, then assemble and check the performance of the wind generator.

The advantage of such installations is increased efficiency. The disadvantage is that the final power depends on many nuances:

• Generator assembly correctness.
• Wind speeds.
• The effectiveness of removing the potential difference using brushes.
• Reliability of contacts and other factors.

Heating with heat pumps

Unlike the devices discussed above, heat pumps use the whole range of alternative sources, namely water, air and earth (except for the sun). The necessary heat can be obtained even in cold weather (albeit in a smaller amount). In practice, this is sufficient to heat the house.

The main advantage of heat pumps is efficiency. The most advanced devices, taking only 1 kW of energy, give up to 5-6 kW of heat.

The pumps are equipped with the following elements - three circuits (internal and two external), a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator. The principle of operation is as follows:

1. Water flows through the primary circuit and removes heat (from air, earth or water). At this stage, it is possible to reach a temperature of 5-6 degrees Celsius.
2. In the second (internal circuit), there is another coolant with a lower boiling point (0 degrees Celsius). After heating, the liquid evaporates, and the resulting vapor is sent to the compressor. There it is compressed to maximum pressure. At this moment, a large amount of heat is released, providing heating of the working fluid to 35-65 degrees Celsius.
3. The resulting heat is transferred to the liquid in a third circuit that performs the heating function.
4. The remaining vapors, the temperature of which gradually decreases, are condensed and then sent to the evaporator. After that, the cycle repeats.

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The possibilities of the heating circuit are best used to create warm floors, which is due to the optimal temperature regime for solving such a problem. If radiators are used, a large number of sections will be required, which is very disadvantageous.

The subtleties of using thermal energy

If we consider alternative sources in relation to heat production, the greatest difficulties are caused by the arrangement of the primary circuit. It is he who takes on the task of assembling thermal energy. Large areas may be required for best results.

There are four types of contours in total:

1. Thermal fields. Their peculiarity lies in burying pipes to a great depth, to which the earth does not freeze. This design is effective, but for its implementation, you have to carry out a large complex of earthworks.
2. Heat from the air. This mechanism is known for a conventional air conditioner, the principle of which is very similar. Interestingly, even in the cold, such devices are capable of "producing" heat. The main thing is that the temperature outside is at least 15 degrees below zero.
3. Pipes in the water. The design feature is the ring-shaped design and the presence of the coolant inside. The type of reservoir does not matter. It can be a lake or a river. The main thing is to have sufficient depth to exclude complete freezing. To increase efficiency, it is allowed to use pumps that will pump heat out of the reservoir. To implement such an idea, it will be necessary to assemble a system of pipes, tie a load to it and flood. The only drawback is the risk of accidental damage.
4. Application of geothermal temperatures. The principle of operation is simple. First, several wells are drilled to a certain depth, after which a circuit with a working fluid is lowered into it. This option is good because it does not need a lot of space. But there is also a drawback. Drilling is performed to great depths, and today such services are far from free.

Heat pumps have one common drawback - high cost and complexity of assembly of the structure. In order to save money, some work can be done independently, without the involvement of specialists, but the total costs are still high. The advantage lies in the durability of the finished system.

Application of biogas plants

Many are focusing on the use of natural alternative sources. But energy can also be obtained artificially, for example, using biogas plants. These devices will make it possible to "extract" gas for the house from manure - waste products of chickens, pigs and other domestic animals. With the help of a special apparatus, it is possible to obtain a certain volume of gas, which is purified and can be used for its intended purpose (for cooking, powering the boiler and other needs). The remaining elements after processing are used as fertilizer.

How it works? After collecting the feces and putting them in a certain place, the fermentation process starts. Poultry or livestock waste will do to get the gas you need, but the latter is the most efficient option.

To speed up the fermentation process, a special environment is created that does not imply oxygen access. This means that the waste is in a completely sealed container. Also, to activate the process, the composition is mixed, for which agitators with electric drives are mounted. In the simplest devices, control can be manual.

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Gas is formed by two types of bacteria:

• Mesophilic (active at 30-40 degrees Celsius).
• Thermophilic - are connected to the process when it reaches 42-53 degrees Celsius.

The second variant of bacteria is more productive. From one liter of the raw material area, up to 4-4.5 liters of gas is obtained. The downside is that you have to maintain a high temperature in the installation, and this is expensive.

Structurally, a biogas apparatus is a container with an agitator. The simplest option is a barrel with a lid and stirring handle. A conclusion is made from above for connecting a hose. It is through it that the gas is directed into a separate container. With this embodiment, you cannot get a lot of gas, but it will be enough for cooking.

The prospects will be greater if a special bunker is equipped. There are two types:

1. Underground.
2. Overground.

The underground bunker is manufactured using reinforced concrete. The tank is divided into a series of compartments and the walls are separated from the ground by thermal insulation. The processing process takes 12-30 days. The manure is fed through a special hopper, and on the other hand, a hatch is made for unloading the processed component. The fifth part of the cavity remains free - it is here that the gas is collected, which is then discharged through a special tube. Before being supplied to the consumer, natural fuel is cleaned by passing through a water seal with water.

The use of alternative energy sources is a great way to provide everything you need for a comfortable stay in your home. The main difficulty lies in finding money for an initial investment and the desire to realize the idea.

Until recently, the main sources of energy were: oil, coal, water, etc. However, natural resources are rapidly depleting, their prices are rising, and emissions from their processing have a negative impact on the environment. For these reasons, many countries are leaning towards energy adoption and development that will replace traditional fuels. In this article, we will consider what alternative energy sources are, their types, efficiency and application prospects.

Read in the article

Alternative energy sources - what is it

Alternative energy sources (AES) are an environmentally friendly renewable resource that, when converted, allows you to obtain heat or electricity used for everyday human needs. These resources include all existing types of natural reservoirs, sun, wind, heat from the bowels of the earth, as well as recycled materials. Alternative energy sources, unlike traditional types, can be renewed an unlimited number of times, they are more efficient, cheaper and environmentally friendly.

Types of alternative energy sources

Depending on the renewable resource, modern energy sources are divided into several types, which determine the methods of its transformation and the types of installations designed for this. Let's consider briefly alternative energy sources and their characteristics.

Using alternative energy sources - sun and wind

Converting the sun's energy with the help of special devices allows you to get heat and electricity for further use. Electrical energy is generated by physical processes that take place in the silicon semiconductors of solar panels under the influence of sunlight, and thermal energy is generated by the properties of gases and liquids.

The use of wind as an alternative source of energy is based on converting the force of air currents into electricity using special generator sets. Wind turbines have different designs and dimensions, and also differ in location. The wind drives the blades, which in turn rotate a generator that generates electricity.

Water and warmth of the Earth in the service of man

Man has learned to use the power of water to generate electricity for a long time. Previously, for this, hydroelectric power plants were built, which blocked the rivers, these were both small and grandiose structures. With the development of technology, the design of hydroelectric power plants has changed, and now it is possible to receive electricity not only due to the strength of the river flow, but also due to the tides of the seas and oceans (tidal stations). Water falls on the turbine blades that rotate the generator, which generates electricity supplied to the consumer.

Huge reserves of heat are hidden in the depths of our Earth, which make it possible to replace more expensive and "dirty" energy sources. This direction is called geothermal energy, which uses four main types of heat resources:

• surface heat of the earth;
• the energy of steam and hot water located at the surface of the earth;
• heat concentrated deep in the bowels of the planet;
• energy of magma and heat accumulated under volcanoes.

The inner body of the earth is used to heat homes and generate electricity. Its reserves are 35 billion times higher than the annual energy demand around the world. The first geothermal power plant with a capacity of 7.5 MW was commissioned in Italy in 1916. At the moment, the cost of electricity generated by TeoTPP is almost equal to that produced by coal-fired TPPs.

Biofuels - an alternative to gasoline

Biofuels are an alternative source of energy that is obtained from the processing of organic raw materials or waste. This type of fuel can be in solid, liquid or gaseous state. Wood, briquettes and pellets made from wood waste or agricultural products (sunflower and buckwheat husks, nutshells, etc.) are used as solid biofuel. This fuel is used to generate heat and electricity at TPPs.

Liquid biofuels are produced by processing plant matter of certain crops and their waste (straw) and are used mainly as fuel for cars. This type of ecofuel includes:

• bioethanol;
• biomethanol;
• biobutanol;
• biodiesel;
• dimethyl ether.

There are three types of gaseous ecofuel: biogas, biohydrogen and methane. It is obtained by fermentation of biological mass. The raw material is exposed to specific bacteria that decompose the biomass, and as a result, gas is produced.

Development of alternative energy sources

According to the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, the share of using alternative energy sources in Russia is only 1%. It is planned to increase this indicator by 2020 to 4.5%, by attracting not only funds from the government of the Russian Federation, but also private entrepreneurs. The development of alternative energy has great potential:

• due to the low population density of the sea and ocean coasts of Kamchatka, Chukotka, Sakhalin and other territories, the development of wind and tidal energy is possible;
• the development of solar energy is relevant, especially in the Stavropol and Krasnodar regions, in the North Caucasus, the Far East, etc.

Unfortunately, alternative energy is not a priority for the Russian industry. The main problem is financing such projects. Sometimes mining coal and oil is cheaper than building wind and solar power plants.

Alternative energy sources for a private house

Owners of private houses, thanks to the use of alternative energy sources, can significantly reduce the cost of or completely abandon the services of gas, electricity and heat suppliers. There is also an opportunity not only to make your economy non-volatile, but also to sell the surplus. The state in every possible way encourages the development and use of installations of alternative energy sources by ordinary citizens. To generate heat and electricity using non-traditional energy sources, you can use factory equipment or make it yourself. So, alternative energy allows:

• convert solar energy into electricity or heat for hot water and low temperature heating;
• with the help of special generators, receive electricity using the force of the wind;
• with the help of special pumps, take heat from the ground, water and air and heat houses and generate electricity through heat generators;
• gas production from agricultural waste, biological materials and waste products of domestic animals and birds.

The greatest efficiency is achieved by using several types of alternative energy sources.

Solar energy as an alternative energy source

The use of solar energy makes it possible to obtain electricity and hot water for heating and hot water supply with the help of solar semiconductor panels and collectors. Under the influence of light on silicon elements, a directed movement of electrons (electric current) occurs. By connecting a sufficient number of panels, you can get electricity, which is enough to meet the needs of one house. For example, a solar battery with an area of \u200b\u200b1.4 m2 with good illumination produces 24 V at a power of about 270 W. Since the sun does not shine all the time and with different strengths, it is impossible to connect household appliances directly to the conversion panels. In order to use electricity from solar panels, you need a whole system that includes:

• battery (Battery) to accumulate surplus electricity (it is used in the dark and inclement weather);
• controller (optional, but recommended) is designed to monitor the battery charge level to prevent complete discharge or overcharge, as well as to optimize the operation of solar panels;
• inverter, which converts direct current into alternating current and allows obtaining a voltage of 220-230 V.

In order to make a house or cottage completely independent from centralized power supply, it is necessary to install a large number of batteries and several accumulators. This, of course, is not cheap, but in the end it pays off completely in a relatively short time. A set of panels for generating 1500 W per day, which is enough to provide a summer residence or some electrical appliances in a house, costs about $ 1,000, for the production of 4 kW - about $ 2,200, and 9 kW - $ 6,200. You can buy a small installation and subsequently supplement it with new solar panels, having achieved the required power.

Alternative sources of electricity for a private house - solar panels

So, we have already considered that solar energy can be used to generate electricity (semiconductor panels) and heat for heating and hot water supply (collectors). Let's take a look at what solar panels are. consists of a certain number of silicon solar cells (household models). Such panels have an efficiency of 20-24% and a relatively low cost. The photocells are connected to each other, and their contacts are output to the terminals located on the closed case of each battery. The body is made of anodized aluminum, and the bezel is made of high quality durable glass and coated with an anti-reflective compound.

Related article:

What is, the principles of operation and types of solar panels for a private house, the cost of the kit, reviews, specifications, recommendations of specialists - read the publication.

Solar collectors - a worthy replacement for traditional water heaters

Solar heat collectors allow you to accumulate 600-800 W / h per square meter and provide the house with enough energy for heating and hot water supply. Structurally, collectors are divided into the following main groups:

• vacuum... Flat or multi-pipe structures with natural or forced circulation of the coolant in the system. These are mainly stationary collectors intended for seasonal use;
• aerial solar systemswhich are the lightest and simplest. Heat is removed from the heated collector surface by air flow;
• in the third version, the heat from solar collectors can be used to transform it into electricity.

The latter option is not very popular among ordinary consumers due to the complexity of maintenance and the high cost of equipment.

Heat pumps for heating systems of private houses

At present, for and providing them with hot water supply, various types of boilers are mainly used - diesel, etc. Relatively recently, another method of heating a liquid with help has appeared, but so far it has not yet received widespread use. moving along an overpass laid in the ground at a certain depth, it heats up by several degrees and enters the evaporator. Further, the heated liquid gives off heat to the refrigerant, which turns into vapor at low temperatures and enters the compressor. In the compressor, it is compressed, which leads to an increase in pressure and, accordingly, an increase in temperature.

The compressed heated refrigerant moves to the condenser, where it gives off heat to another heat carrier (air, water or). As a result of this process, the refrigerant is cooled and returned to a liquid state. After that, the liquid enters the evaporator, and the whole cycle is repeated.

Article

Modern society cannot imagine itself without certain scientific achievements, among which electricity occupies a special place. This wonderful and valuable energy is present in almost all areas of our life. But not many people know how it is obtained. And even more so - is it possible to get free electricity with your own hands. The video, which abounds in the vastness of the worldwide network, examples of craftsmen and scientific data say that this is quite real.

Everyone, no, no, thinks not only about saving, but also about something free. People generally love to get something for free. But the main question for today, is it possible to get free electricity... After all, if you think globally, then how many humanity has to sacrifice in order to get an extra kilowatt of electricity. But nature does not tolerate such cruel treatment of itself and constantly reminds that one should be more careful in order to stay alive for the human species.

In pursuit of profit, a person does not really think about the benefits for the environment and completely forgets about alternative energy sources. And there are enough of them to change the current state of affairs for the better. After all, using free energy, which can be easily converted into electricity, the latter can become free for a person. Well, or almost free.

And considering how to get electricity at home, the simplest and most affordable methods immediately come to mind. While some funds are required to implement them, as a result, the electricity itself will not cost the user a dime. Moreover, there are not one, and not two such methods, which allows you to choose the most acceptable method for generating free electricity in specific conditions.

It just so happens that if you know at least a little the structure of the soil and the basics of electricity, you can understand how to get electricity from the mother earth itself. And the thing is that the soil in its structure combines solid, liquid and gaseous media. And this is exactly what is necessary for the successful extraction of electricity, since it allows you to find the potential difference, which, as a result, leads to a successful result.

Thus, the soil is a kind of power plant in which electricity is constantly present. And if we take into account the fact that through the grounding the current flows into the ground and is concentrated there, then it is simply blasphemous to bypass such an opportunity.

Using such knowledge, craftsmen, as a rule, they prefer to get electricity from the ground in three ways:

Zinc and copper electrode.

Potential between roof and ground.

It is worth considering each of the methods in more detail so that it becomes better to understand what it is about.

: implies the use of a third conductor that connects the grounded conductor and the neutral contact, which allows you to get a current of 10-20 volts. And this is quite enough for connecting several bulbs. Although if you experiment a little, you can get much more tension.

Zinc and copper electrodes are used to extract electricity from soil in an isolated space. Nothing will grow in such soil, since it is oversaturated with salts. A zinc or iron rod is taken and inserted into the ground. They also take a similar copper rod and also insert it into the soil at a short distance.

As a result, the soil will act as an electrolyte, and the rods will form a potential difference. As a result, the zinc rod will be the negative electrode and the copper rod will be the positive one. And such a system will only give out about 3 volts. But again, if you conjure up a little with the circuit, then it is quite possible to increase the resulting voltage well.

The potential between the roof and the ground in the same 3 volts can be "caught" if the roof is made of iron, and ferrite plates are installed in the ground. If you increase the size of the plates or the distance between them and the roof, then the voltage value can be increased.

Strangely enough, for some reason there are no factory devices for generating electricity from the earth. But you can do any of the methods yourself without any special costs. This is, of course, good.

But it should be borne in mind that electricity is quite dangerous, so it is better to carry out any work together with a specialist. Or call this on system startup.

This is the dream of many to get free electricity with their own hands out of thin air. But as it turns out, not everything is so simple. While there are many ways to get electricity from the environment, this is not always easy. AND a few ways to know:

Wind turbines are successfully used in many countries. There are entire fields filled with such fans. Such systems are capable of providing electricity even to a factory. But there is a rather significant minus - due to the unpredictability of the wind, it is impossible to say exactly how much electricity will be generated and how much electricity will be accumulated, which causes certain difficulties.

Lightning batteries are so named because they are able to accumulate potential from electrical discharges, and simply from lightning. Despite the seeming efficiency, such systems are difficult to predict, like the lightning itself. And to create such a structure on your own is more dangerous than difficult. After all, they attract lightning up to 2000 volts, which is deadly.

Mark's toroidal generator, a home-assembled device capable of powering a wide variety of home equipment. It consists of three coils that form resonant frequencies and magnetic vortices, which allows the formation of an electric current.

The Kapanadze generator was invented by a Georgian inventor based on the Tesla transformer. This is an excellent example of the latest technology, when to start you just need to connect the battery, after which the received impulse makes the generator work and produce electricity in the literal sense of the air. Unfortunately, this invention has not been disclosed, so there are no schemes.

How can you ignore such a powerful energy source like the sun? And, of course, many have heard about the possibility of getting electricity from solar panels. Moreover, some even used calculators and other small electronics powered by solar batteries. But the question is whether the house can be supplied with electricity in this way.

If you look at the experience of European lovers of gratis, then a similar idea is quite realizable... True, the solar panels themselves will have to spend a lot of money. But the resulting savings will pay off all the costs in excess.

In addition, it is environmentally friendly and safe for both humans and the environment. Solar panels allow you to calculate the amount of energy that can be obtained, and this is also quite enough to provide electricity to everything, even a large house.

Although there are still a number of disadvantages. The operation of such batteries depends on the Sun, which is not always present in the required amount. So, in winter or during the rainy season, problems can arise in the work.

Otherwise, it is a simple and effective source of inexhaustible energy.

Alternative and questionable methods

Many people know the story of an unpretentious summer resident who allegedly managed to get free electricity from the pyramids. This man claims that the pyramids he built from foil and the accumulator as a storage help illuminate the entire infield. Although it looks unlikely.

It's another matter when research is carried out by scientists... There is already something to think about here. So, experiments are being carried out to obtain electricity from the waste products of plants that enter the soil. Similar experiments can be carried out at home as well. Moreover, the resulting current is not life-threatening.

In some foreign countries, where there are volcanoes, their energy is successfully used to generate electricity. Whole factories work thanks to special installations. After all, the energy received is measured in megawatts. But it is especially interesting that ordinary citizens can also get electricity with their own hands in a similar way. For example, some people use the heat energy of a volcano, which is not difficult to transform into electrical energy.

Many scientists are struggling to find alternative methods of energy extraction. Starting from the use of photosynthesis processes and ending with the energies of the Earth and solar winds. Indeed, in an age when electricity is especially in demand, this is very useful. And with interest and some knowledge, everyone can contribute to the study of obtaining free energy.

Electricity is an integral part of our life. Electric energy has firmly entered everyday life, and even going on a trip or acquiring a house, a plot, in the most remote corner of our vast country, a person sets one of the first tasks to be solved - providing himself with electricity.

For home

The owner of a country house, even in the case of a traditional power supply system, sometimes has a desire to reduce the cost of paying bills for consumed electricity.
Some developers are creating a fully autonomous system and becoming independent from electricity suppliers. Such a power supply system is especially relevant for remote places where there is no stationary power supply network.
At present, thanks to the development of technology and technology, installations that use alternative energy sources in their work, such as solar, wind, water and biofuel, have become widespread.
All of the above energy sources can be used in the production of your electricity used to power your home.

Energy of sun

When choosing installations, the source of electricity, in which is solar energy, it is necessary to know the features of the location, which determine the number of sunny days per year.
Devices used to convert solar energy into electrical energy are solar panels (batteries), which, depending on the required power, are combined into groups.
The panels consist of photocells placed in a common housing. The principle of operation is based on the properties of photocells to create a potential difference between their layers when exposed to sunlight.

Solar panels are the main element of solar power plants, which, in addition to them, include the following elements:

1. Rechargeable battery (battery pack) - is a storage of electrical energy.
2. The controller is an electronic device responsible for the process of charging and discharging the battery.
3. An inverter is also an electronic device that converts direct electric current accumulated in the battery into alternating current with a voltage of 220 V.
4. Protection devices and automation devices, as well as connecting wires.

As additional equipment, to increase the efficiency of solar power plants, solar trackers are used - devices that allow determining the position of panels in space, in accordance with the location of the sun.

Wind energy

When choosing a source of alternative energy, which will be the wind, it is also necessary to know what kind of winds and what strength blow at the place of installation of the equipment.
Wind generators are devices that convert wind energy into electrical energy. These technical devices differ in power, performance, installation conditions and design, on which all the indicators listed above depend.

Wind generators are:

1. With a horizontal axis of rotation - the rotor axis and drive axis are parallel to the ground.
   There are single-bladed, two-bladed, three-bladed and multi-bladed, with up to 50 blades.
2. With a vertical axis of rotation - the axis of rotation is vertical to the surface of the earth. These devices differ in technical design: with a Savounis rotor, with a Darrieus rotor, with a helicoidal rotor, with a multi-blade rotor and with an orthogonal rotor.
3. Wind turbine - sail.

All of these devices have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the choice is always up to the user, which can be made based on the selection criteria and individual needs.

Energy of water

Living outside the city and having a small river, stream or other body of water nearby, you can use the energy of water in order to get your own electricity.
In this case, it is necessary to build an individual micro - hydroelectric power station.
Equipment for such installations is produced in various capacities, and even a small stream is capable of meeting the needs of a house for electrical energy.

Micro - HPPs are bottled in:

1. Type: dam, diversion, dam-diversion and free-flow.
2. The principle of operation: the principle of "water wheel", construction in the form of a garland, using a Darrieus rotor and using the principle of a propeller.
3. Capacity of installations and conditions of equipment installation.

Each type of micro - hydroelectric power station and the principle of its operation have their own pros and cons, which
determine the choice of equipment and the possibility of using it in a particular
specific case.

Biofuels

Living side by side with wildlife, there is always the opportunity to manufacture a biofuel production unit. Biofuels can be solid, liquid and gaseous.

It is not advisable to consider solid fuel (ordinary firewood) and liquid, requiring special equipment for production, as sources of electrical energy, but gaseous ones can.

Gaseous biofuels are biogas produced from the fermentation of plant or animal substances that are always available in the household.
The fermentation process takes place under the influence of bacteria, in a hermetically sealed container. The gas obtained in this way is sent for combustion. When gas is burned, enough steam is generated in the steam generator to rotate a steam turbine connected to an electric generator that generates electricity.

Energy of the earth

On the territory of our country, there are places where activity continues in the deep layers of our planet (at the surface of the earth). In such regions, as an alternative source of electrical energy, you can use the energy of the earth.

Depending on the source that gives off its heat, such energy is divided into:

1. Petrothermal - the source of energy is the layers of the earth, which have a high temperature;
2. Hydrothermal - the source of energy is groundwater.

The earth's energy, in the form of steam, is fed to a steam turbine, which is connected to an electric generator that generates electricity.

In the case of individual use, it is only possible to use direct action, when the steam comes directly from the surface of the earth.

Other options, indirect and mixed methods, can only be used with industrial methods of energy processing.

All of the options discussed above for using alternative energy sources to generate their electricity are available to users, provided the necessary conditions for their operation are created.

To create independent power supply systems, it is better to use several alternative energy sources at the same time in order to compensate for the possible difficulties of each method of generating electricity separately.

Quite widely, with autonomous power supply of houses, a wind generator + solar power plant scheme is used.

For apartment

If a desire arises, it is impossible to use sources such as biofuel, earth energy, water energy, and wind energy to create an independent power supply system for a single apartment, in an apartment building, it is also difficult to use.

The only source of energy that you can use to get your electricity, in a separate apartment, without creating inconvenience for neighbors, is the use of solar energy.

The industry produces sets of solar power plants of low power, which can be easily placed in an apartment. Solar panels, in this case, are placed on the roof of an apartment building or on the outer facade, if placed on the south side of the building.

A set of solar power plants, not of high power, consists of the same elements as when supplying electricity to a house, the only difference is in the number of solar panels and batteries.

Options for giving

If it is necessary to create an independent power supply for the summer cottage, the option of using a solar power plant is also the most acceptable. In this case, with the seasonal nature of the use of equipment, it is possible to mothball the devices or take them out of operation, for the period when there is no need for operation.

The option of building a wind generator is also quite affordable and justified. Because after having incurred some one-time financial expenses, in the future, depending on the need, you can get your own electricity.

The variant of application of the scheme "wind generator + solar power plant", in this case, is also relevant, and allows you to create a completely autonomous and reliable power supply scheme.

How to do it yourself

The sets of equipment described above are quite expensive, so creative people with engineering ingenuity sometimes have thoughts about how to make this or that device with their own hands.

In order to make a unit capable of producing electrical energy using alternative energy sources, it is necessary:

1. Have basic knowledge in electrical engineering and electrical networks;
2. Possess the skills of working with manual mechanical and electrical tools;
3. Be able to work with a soldering iron;
4. To have free time and, most importantly, desire, to create your own device capable of generating electricity.

If, as a source of energy, choose the sun's rays, then it is necessary to make a receiving panel - a solar battery. To do this, you can go in several ways, these are:

1. Purchase photocells and connect them in a certain way (performed by soldering). Make a panel case, in accordance with the dimensions of the assembled receiver, in which to place the photocells.
   With such an embodiment, it is possible to make a sufficiently effective device that can provide electrical energy to a small summer cottage that is not used for a long time.
2. With low load power, when you need to charge a cell phone or other electronic device, you can make a solar panel from used diodes or transistors.

Indoor fan wind turbine

The simplest wind generator can be made from an ordinary household fan.
This will require a small vehicle generator or engine generator, which must be fixed to the rack of the indoor fan. For this, you can use any plastic container, inside which the conversion device is placed. At the edge of this, a diode bridge is placed in the container, to which wires are connected, which are output to the outer surface of the container.

Fan blades are put on the generator shaft (engine-generator), and a shank is attached to the plastic container, which can be made from scrap materials (plastic, plywood, plexiglass, etc.).

The entire assembled structure is placed on the fan stand, for this you can use a piece of plastic or other light pipe with a diameter slightly smaller than the hole in the rack. This will allow the structure to rotate around its axis, depending on the direction of the wind.

The fastening of parts and assemblies is checked, if necessary, they are strengthened. The load is connected to the output wires. The device is now ready for use.

Own electricity and own water

Living outside the city, and having a small river or stream next to your house or dacha, you can always provide yourself not only with water, but also with your own electricity.
Of course, you can purchase a set of micro-hydroelectric power plants, which are widely represented in the domestic market, but you can make a similar device with your own hands.
The design can be simple or complex, it all depends on the need for electrical energy, as well as on the type of reservoir, i.e. the ability of water to create pressure in a given direction.

To make the simplest design, you will need an automobile generator, a bicycle or other wheel, a pair of pulleys of different diameters or sprockets, as well as a metal profile (corner), which is available.

The structure of the wheel and generator mounting is made of a metal profile. The wheel can be positioned parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the water, it depends on the type of reservoir. The wheel is equipped with blades made of metal, plastic, plywood or other material. A pulley (sprocket) of a larger diameter is attached to the wheel axle.

The generator is mounted, a pulley (sprocket) of a smaller diameter is attached to its shaft. Pulleys are connected by a belt drive, sprockets - by a chain. Wires are connected to the generator terminals. The wheel is placed in water. The installation is now ready for operation.

Features of the installation and operation of autonomous sources

In order to install an alternative source of electrical energy in your suburban area, dacha or apartment, you do not need to obtain any permits and approvals. It is the right of each user to determine for themselves independently how to provide themselves and their loved ones with electricity.

However, when building devices with high power, it is necessary to take into account factors affecting the environment and neighboring neighbors.

So when using:

1. Solar energy - when placing a large number of solar panels, significant areas will be required, and therefore, it may be necessary to draw up documents for additional land plots.
2. Wind energy - it must be borne in mind that wind generators, in the process of operation, make noise, which can negatively affect others.
3. Water energy - in the case of a dam, a certain amount of land is decommissioned, which must be taken into account during construction.
4. Biofuels - in the production of a gaseous form of this energy source, smell is a constant part of the production process. This must be taken into account when creating this method of generating electrical energy.

In addition to the fact that there are no prohibitions on the installation of equipment that produces electrical energy using alternative sources, there is also a law, according to which, every citizen who has installed equipment with a capacity of up to 30.0 kW and receives excess electrical energy, which he himself does not can use - has the right to sell it to third-party consumers. This right has received the name "Green Tariff".