The demonstration trailer demonstrates several concepts than can be used in homes and small businesses.  The sources of energy are direct sunlight and firewood.  The outputs are hot water for heating and domestic use and electricity both 24 volt direct current and 120/240 alternating current.   If the firewood is gathered in a sustainable way, that is cut from a wood lot that is regenerating more wood than is taken, then use of the equipment does not contribute to global warming.   The carbon dioxide that is released when the wood is burned is that same carbon dioxide that was in the air surrounding the tree when it was growing.  It taken back up by the remaining trees in the wood lot. 

1. Steam Electric Generator - this is described in section "Skagit Donkey".  It is basically a small steam boiler coupled with a two cylinder reciprocating steam engine that runs a 24 volt direct current alternator.  The electricity generated is used to charge batteries and the remaining heat in the steam is used to heat  space or hot water for later use.  

2. Solar Electric Home - The trailer has 4 75 watt BP-75 solar panels that together make 300 Watts of electricity at up to 30 volts direction current or about 10 amps.  This is in direct overhead sunlight. In the early morning and late afternoon the output is less as it is on cloudy days.  The 24 volt direct current electricity is used to charge the batteries on the trailer as well a run two water pumps.   The batteries are hooked to the the inverters which each make 120 volts alternating current at up to 12 amps.  The inverters work together to make 240 volts alternating that is used in most homes.  The inverters also have built in battery chargers that can be used to charge the batteries from the grid or a portable 120 volt alternating current gasoline/propane/diesel generator.   A generator of this type is not part of the demonstration but could be easily added.  The output of the inverters goes to a breaker box like the ones in typical electric homes.  It includes an outlet that runs tools and appliances.

3. Hot Water Heated Home

4. Firewood processing

Send mail to lawrence@alternativeenergynow.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/20/04