Alternative Energy Now

The Skagit Donkey is a wood-fired steam boiler, engine, electric generator and water-heating system. A generator makes the same kind of electricity that is made by solar panels. It can be used to charge batteries when the sun is not available. The steam also produces enough heat that with the water tank, heat fins and related plumbing, the steam can be used to heat a home or shop.

Firewood at the rate of 30 pounds per hour is fed into the firebox under the boiler. The boiler produces steam at 100 to 125 pounds per square inch. The steam is then used to run a two-cylinder steam engine which in turn runs a 12 or 24 volt direct current alternator which charges the batteries. The steam leaves the engine at a low pressure, but it must be cooled and turned back into water.

The steam can be first cooled with finned pipes which makes immediate heat in the air. The steam is then passed through a pipe surrounded by water in a storage tank. This takes the remaining heat out of the steam and it condenses into water. This water is pumped back into the boiler with a pressure pump.

The Skagit Donkey Systems makes 20 to 40 amps of 24 VDC electricity (or 40 to 80 amps of 12 VDC electricity). This is the equivalent of 15 Shell SQ80 solar panels. The Skagit Donkey uses 30 lbs of wood an hour to make 50,000 to 80,000 BTUs of hot water. This is equivalent to a large wood stove and is sufficient to heat a well-insulated 1,200 square foot house. The hot water can be circulated through baseboard units to the entire house, or in floor heating.

In northwest Washington, it is estimated that an energy-conscious family of four with an alternative energy system would require 20 L-16 batteries, and in the summer would need 20 SQ80 solar panels. In the spring and fall they would need 40 SQ80s and to get through the winter they would need a total of 60 SQ80s. Most people cannot afford this many solar panels and use a gasoline or propane-powered generator to make up the difference.

The Skagit Donkey does not need to be run all the time. The system batteries store up electricity in the batteries and the water tank stores hot water for later use in space heating. The Skagit Donkey needs operator attention several times an hour and should not be left by itself when running.