Friday 25 July 2008

Can-Cars-Really-Run-On-Water?


Does the “water-powered car” really work?

Yes, but the water has to come from unicorn tears.

Unsurprisingly, inevitably, rising gas prices have brought increased interest in the water-powered car. Is there really a simple technology that can dramatically boost the efficiency of conventional cars or, better yet, allow you to run your car entirely on tap water?

http://tinyurl.com/watercar

Thursday 17 July 2008

Wood-Forge-Project-Going-Ahead


Previously I have mentioned a wonderful little project to supply off grid power to a Metal Casting Wood Forge Down the far south of England.

The new 140W Panel arrived today from the manufacturers. I am extremely impressed with the Solar PV Panels construction. Open circuit is 21.8V and will charge 2 x deep cycle SLA batteries at 12V. The Pure Sine Wave Inverter arrived late last week so I am currently contstructing the sub frame for the panel to be mounted on.

I'll be posting some pictures of the setup once it is installed at the forge some time soon.

Monday 14 July 2008

Cutting-Back-The-Oil-Crisis-Is-Here!

Well, I have been extremely busy lately with Home Brew Power. The business end as apposed to the Website end of things.

It seems that the Oil Crisis is finally impacting on the lives of every day people. The Fuel is going through the roof, both Diesel and Petrol are at record highs, the Oil prices (Fuel Oil) is driving people to look for real alternatives now.

Is there an easy solution to the problem? Answer, NO. You all now need to look at your energy footprint and start to look for ways to reduce it as much as possible without freezing yourselves to death.

Fixes to help:

1. Energy Saving lamps throughout your home, garage and outside lights are now a must do.
2. Leave a room, turn the light off
3. No more appliances on standby, when you have done with the TV, CD, DVD, MP3, Xbox, PS3 etc TURN IT OFF! Unplug it, that way there will be no phantom loads.
4. Have TRV's (Thermostatic Valves) fitted to your radiators, the rooms your not in, turn the heat down in the winter, you would be surprised how much GAS / Heating Oil you can save by doing this!
5. Have your home Cavity Wall Insulated, again a great way to save valuable heat escaping on a cold day / night.
6. Put on an extra layer of clothing on an evening, it's not that hard to do and will save you money!

All I can say is the situation is going to worsen from here on in, oil is finite, it will run out and we need to look for viable solutions to the 'Soon to be upon us' Energy Crisis. For now I suggest we all look at the waste energy and do something to reduce it ASAP.

I am seeing more and more people asking me about the possibilities of CO-GEN / Micro CHP systems for homes, it is something I see will fast become common, people and families will become self sufficient and off-grid, away from the hungry power companies and greedy suppliers. Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Geo Thermal, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Micro CHP, Wind Turbines will all become common sites within our cities and streets over the next decade.

Friday 4 July 2008

BBC-Radio-Leeds-Steve-Bailey-Drive-Home-Live-Interview


2 Weeks ago I was contacted by BBC Radio Leeds (Steve Bailey). They had been looking with interest at all the work I have been doing relating to Off-Grid / Carbon Neutral Power production.

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Steve Bailey on the Drive Home Spot at 5:30PM for 20 minutes. We spoke of the work I do providing Off-Grid power via Solar PV, Wind Turbine and Solar Heating, something we are all fast becoming experts in due to the ever increasing costs of Crude Oil. This effects everything in the modern world from Petrol & Diesel right down to the cost of grain, staple foods and transportation costs.

I hope some of you heard the program and enjoyed it as much as I did. I will be in Australia from Mid September 2008 for 5 weeks, I am going to visit family and also to make a decision as to weather or not to move out of the UK for good.

When I return Mid October Steve Bailey of BBC Radio Leeds has invited me back for another live interview to update him as to my decision on moving to Australia.