Are your SOLAR BATTERIES run out of electricity in your FARM?
Do you want to SAVE stationary batteries in your remote RURAL housing?
In this last post # 10, I summarize the different ways to save on electric accumulators of a photovoltaic or mini-wind system that I have explained in previous posts in this series:
1. – Solar Batteries are expensive.
Stationary batteries are really necessary in any system isolated from the mains. Absolutely. But when the accumulation needs are high, investment in batteries is unsustainable. Therefore we must seek alternatives to supplement the storage of energy.
2. – Saving and Energy Efficiency.
The cheapest electricity is which is not consumed. You should review what are the appliances, equipment, machinery, etc. reasonable to have or not in an isolated home. Once you have choosen the essential minimum, look to be efficient electrically, with very low consumption. Your battery will thank you.
3. – Fuel generator
A small diesel generator to complement a stationary battery bank can be the most realistic option to reduce the costs of investment in batteries. You just have to know how to manage the load periods to give more priority to renewable energy and spend a minimum of oil.
4. – Increase Photovoltaic or Wind capacity
The capacity of production (photovoltaic or small wind generation) is more important than storage capacity (storage batteries). If your budget is very restricted, it is better to prioritize the generation than accumulation.
5. – Micro-hydraulic closed circuit
An alternative energy storage systems of medium size is a closed loop of water. First step: the water is pumped by a Solar PV to a higher deposit. Second step: Water falls through a micro-hydraulic turbine to generate electricity to charge the batteries.
6. – Compressed air
A mini wind power system can trigger an air compressor in a large air-storage tank. Electricity can be generated subsequently again with an air motor. There are few experiences, but is feasible in rural areas, plenty of space available.
7. – Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
An electrolysis in a rural area that can generate hydrogen from renewable energies is the first part of the system. The second part is a fuel cell fed with hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and steam. It may be the technology of the future, although currently still under development to lower costs.
8. – Sodium Accumulators?
Low cost batteries with sodium salts may be in the future an inexpensive system of direct accumulation of electricity. Batteries are currently still very large working at high temperatures.
9. – Flywheel and other systems
A large heavy wheel at high speed can build up energy that can be transformed later into electricity. Also there are a variety of systems to store energy or electricity in development.
To conclude this series of posts dedicated to saving solar batteries I remember the following priorities:
A) Savings and energy efficiency in the isolated systems. Generate and accumulate the electricity itself is expensive, so spend what is really basic.
B) Find a good professional with experience in Solar PV in your area to help you correctly size the system and stationary batteries.
Dou you think you can save batteries with any of these solutions? What experience do you have? Thanks for posting your opinion!
Related articles
- Tame the Renewable with Hydrogen (ahilan007.wordpress.com)
- Renewable Energy (altengy.wordpress.com)
- Solar Power Makes Fuel Cell Vehicles Truly Green – EarthTechling (earthtechling.com)
- How to save on Electric Storage Batteries? (1) Solar Accumulators are expensive (albertcampi.me)
- Save Batteries? (7) Hydrogen Fuel Cells in your Farm (albertcampi.me)
- How to save Batteries? (9) Rural Flywheel and Others. (albertcampi.me)
- How to save on Batteries? (5) Micro-hydraulic closed circuit (albertcampi.me)
- How to save on Batteries? (6) Compressed Air (albertcampi.me)
- How to save Batteries? (8) Cheap Sodium Batteries? (albertcampi.me)
- How to save on Electric Batteries? (4): Increase photovoltaic or wind power production (albertcampi.me)
