OFG-HowToFreeYourself.svg

Kelly Mead

If You Can’t Be Off-Grid Then Live In A SmartGridCity

What is a Smart Grid City? It’s a new concept that is being built in Boulder, Colorado to make using conventional grid energy more efficient in it’s use and cost. it is probably best put by the chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy, Dick Kelly:

  • “We’re on our way toward building the grid of the future and making SmartGridCity a reality. This is a forward-thinking project that will transform the way we do business. In SmartGridCity, our customers will have more information, including the tools to communicate directly with us, and will choose when and how they use their energy based on price, generating resource or convenience.”

The design phase completion was announced on May 15, 2008 and that the equipment needed has been ordered and construction has already started. Since the study done by the Smart Grid Consortium and Xcel Energy to develop a scope and design to implement this change was just completed this past April. To say this is on the fast track seems to be an understatement. Though as we American’s have shown time and time again when we are fired up bu something we can do it at an extremely efficient rate. If this planned project goes as well as expected then by December 2009 the city of Boulder will be adding renewable energy to it’s power sources as well as integrating plug-in hybrid cars for it’s citizens.

The idea to use the technology we have as well and push the envelope to lower consumption of the energy we have available on the grid is a great step to helping people become more involved in their energy choices. If everyone had the information about what the cost of plugging something in or turning it on would cost in both energy and cash then questioning the need for it could become second nature to everyone. How many times do people turn on lights in the middle of the day because shades haven’t been opened yet, or charging a mobile device when it’s not empty or longer then needed, or left lights on because they would be right back, or any of hundreds of little things that because we don’t see the cost at time of use we don’t always think about it.

Hoping for this to be a success for more then the city of Boulder should be anyones hope that wishes to change the way we treat energy. If a city can be taught to conserve and use wisely as a whole then us that are working towards that on our own can benefit, too. The technology to do this will be improved, price should become more realistic for the common person, and more information about problems and solutions will be available. Of course, that’s a best case scenerio and here at The Off-Grid Home that is what we all hope for.

Included below …

Read More »

Hydrogen Good For More Than Cars?

Hydrogen as the fuel for our cars hasn’t quite been the magic pill it was toted as being when first introduced. That doesn’t mean that it is not still a viable and essential area that needs to be researched as a renewable energy source. There is a vision for a new hydrogen economy which “will mean a world where our pollution problems are solved and where our need for abundant and affordable energy is secure… and where concerns about dwindling resources are a thing of the past.”– Spencer Abraham, Hydrogen Energy Roadmap, November 2003.

As one of the most abundant elements in the world and even universe using hydrogen to power our way of life has great appeal. Here on Earth it is not alone but we can harvest it from a variety or resources, such as water, biomass, natural gas, oil and even coal. This means that the resources we need can be found wherever we need to produce hydrogen. Right now most, 95%, of the hydrogen used today comes from reforming natural gas. The 5% remaining is high-purity hydrogen produced from water electrolysis, which is done primarily by fossil fuel generated electricity. Though the ideal solution is to do this sustainable through a cycle that produces the hydrogen clean, efficiently, and most important in today’s economy affordably. If this can be accomplished then it can increase our energy security, reduce of greenhouse emissions, and help make the world a better place while giving us the energy we demand.

To have a sustainable production cycle for the production of hydrogen and its use is the ultimate goal. The ideal cycle would start with hydrogen would be harvested using renewable resources; an example would be the photoelectrolysis of water, where solar energy would be used to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. Then this hydrogen is used to power a fuel cell where the hydrogen is reconnected with the oxygen to produce electricity, water and heat. In this cycle there in no pollution or greenhouse gases produced.

Renewable resources are abundant in the United States for the production of hydrogen. Since it can be made using solar, wind, biomass, etc the resource are enough to take care of the needs of the entire country. Since wide distribution of renewable resources is possible we can use a decentralized production for the hydrogen. One possibility is that in Iowa hydrogen can be a byproduct of corn ethanol production. Another is that in Massachusetts the off shore wind farms could produce the electricity needed to harvest the hydrogen. With decentralized production of hydrogen storage and delivery can be greatly reduced and in some cases eliminated.

At this time wind seems to be at the forefront for hydrogen production. As with a utility size operation the cost typically ranges from 3–7¢/kWh. Production of hydrogen is not where we need technology breakthroughs, storage and transporting

Read More »

Get Green on Demand

The new programs, shows and movies that are all about green have been mentioned a few times here at The Off-Grid Home. Though the times for these can have scheduling conflicts and as most channels now carrying a green/self-sufficient themed programming have it all together about once a week, That can be a plus if you can spend every night in front of the TV to catch it all, but not very practical for most of us. So seeing that the Discovery network has but their new Planet Green on demand is great for letting you catch all the new shows. Sundance also has at least one movie/documentary dealing with self-sustainability, green, and/or the environment for when you have more time to watch. These programs are a great source for learning about new products available, different building techniques, other sources of information, organizations that can help, etc. Even those of us who have our ears to the ground and eyes to the horizon on the eco-friendly and self-sustainable movements can benefit as innovation is the driving force behind it.

To see this programming becoming more accessible to the average American is great, though we do worry about it becoming the next fad of the networks. Some shows are modeled after already popular shows. Greenovate is modeled after Flip That House but with only green renovations for the flip. That can be great or it can be a sign that the networks don’t quite get what being self-sufficient and/or green is really about. There is hope that this is a way for those who don’t understand the movement or have an interest but don’t know where to start to get their feet wet. For the time being we’re opting for the hope scenario and will do everything possible to encourage that direction.

Read More »

Does Your City Have Green Roofs?

Having a green roof is becoming the thing to do in urban environments and Green Roofs for Healthy CIties is an organization all about that. They have also a list of top ten cities with green roofs in North America. They are:

  1. Chicago, Il
  2. Wilmington, DE
  3. Baltimore, MD
  4. Brooklyn, NY
  5. Virgina Beach, VA
  6. Royersford, PA
  7. Tronto, On
  8. Calgary, AB
  9. Washington D.C.
  10. Philadelphia, PA

Last year there was a marked increase in green roofs, 30% more were installed in North America last year. Even if that is good for all of us inhabiting this earth it is more pronounced in the cities that are making going green a priority. Chicago has ranked number one conceseqitly an with 517,633 sq feet it is clear to see that it will retaining it’s place fro a while to come. The runner up, Wilmington, De, has only 37% of the square feet at 195,600, with 3rd, Baltimore, MD, only 23% at 121,550 square feet in the green. Canada starts ranking with Toronto, 83,055 sq ft, at number 7 with Calagary, 61,720 sq ft, right behind at number 8. This list has a wide range of cities and amount of square feet gone green with the top being over 500,000 sq ft while number ten squeaks in with less then 50,000 sq ft.

This shows that green rooftops in urban areas is still in it’s infancy here in North America. From Green Roofs for Healthy Cities 3rd Annual Green Roof Market Industry Survey showed a 5% increase to 25% market growth last year for its’ corporate members. This means that our rooftops in our urban areas are becoming more beautiful, using less energy for heating and cooling, plus cleaner air and greener spaces for people living there.

“We’re particularly thrilled to see Baltimore on our list for the first time as it is the host city of our fast approaching annual international green roof conference starting April 30, 2008,” says Steven W. Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “We’re also pleased to see Washington, D.C. on the list again as the government of the District of Columbia is this year’s winner of an Awards of Excellence for Civic Leadership. Significant green roof implementation can save tens of millions of dollars from reduced energy, and greatly improve regional stormwater management and air quality.”

Their annual confrence will be held April 30 – May 2 in Baltimore, MD. They also offer courses throughout the year at various cities you can check schedueling and cities here. If you are going to be doing a green roof then making sure it’s done right is vital. As the additional weight of such a roof as well as the additional aspects of soil, plants, drainage, etc can be tricky knowing what your doing is important.

The beneifts to both the environment and your pocketbook make this option …

Read More »

RPS Policies at State-Level examined by Berkeley Lab

berkley_lab-5600550A new report was released by the U.S. Dept of Energy’s Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (Berkley Lab) shows that renewable energy is being supported by a growing number of states. This is being done by the creation of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) which this report gives an overview of the experience with these new state-level policies. A RPS policy is one that requires retail electricity suppliers to procure a stated minimum quantity of eligible renewable energy.

“State RPS policies require utilities to buy a certain amount of renewable energy, and these programs have emerged as one of the most important drivers of renewable energy deployment in the U.S.,” states Ryan Wiser, “But, as the popularity and importance of these RPS’s have increased, so too has the need to keep up with the design, early experience, and projected impacts of these programs. Our report is designed to meet that need.” Ryan Wiser is part of Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD) and was one of two primary authors for the report.

25 states and Washignton DC have RPS policies in effect and apply to nearly 50% of the total U.S. electricity load. In 2007 four new states have non-binding goals.

The reports other primary author and member of Berkley Lab’s EETD noted “Many of these policies have been established recently and each is designed differently, As a result, the experience has been decidedly mixed.”

Key findings of the study include:

  • More than 50-percent of non-hydro renewable capacity additions in the U.S. from 1998 through 2007 occurred in states with RPS policies, and 93-percent of these additions came from wind power.
  • Existing state RPS policies, if fully achieved, would require roughly 60 GW of new renewable capacity by 2025, equivalent to 15-percent of projected electricity demand growth.
  • Solar set-asides in state RPS policies are becoming more common, and these policies have supported more than 165 MW of new solar capacity so far; a total of roughly 6,700 MW of solar capacity would be needed by 2025 to fully meet these set-asides.
  • The early-year renewable energy purchase targets in the majority of state RPS policies have been fully or almost-fully achieved, with overall average compliance at 94-percent in 2006.
  • Nonetheless, a number of states have struggled to meet even their early-year RPS targets, and many states have been reluctant to penalize non-compliance.
  • Renewable energy certificate (REC) tracking systems continue to expand, and all but four states allow unbundled RECs to count towards RPS compliance.
  • The cost of RPS policies varies by state, but in most states, these programs have, so far, increased electricity rates by one-percent or less; in several states, the renewable electricity required by RPS policies appears competitive with fossil generation

The market for renewable energy is rapidly changing and increasingly states are hoping to support this growth. “Given the major role that state RPS policies are playing, we hope …

Read More »

Being Passive is a Good Thing

Using Passive Solar enrgy os a great way to design a new home or use in a remodeling project. If you have no plans for doing any major remodeling or building a new home you can still use the passive approach to help heat and cool your home.

Though using passive techniques in an exhisting home without making structure changes is definetely possibble. To use it without making major changes to your home takes watching and learning how your home reacts during the year. Our home has a great cross breeze if we keep the first window in our living room open and the one in the bath open. This is true no matter how hot and stuffy it is outside as our house juts out from the other homes and is angled just right to catch the breeze coming up the road. In the winter our sliding glass door helps to keep the dining room around 70 when the sun is shining. We have learned these things by living in our home. Though our living room has over 80% of it’s exterior wall in windows or doors, which makes us keep our east facing windows shaded till the sun passes. So now we have made changes to help keep us comfortable without using our central air or furnance as much. We introduced a low enegy window fan to boost the air flow and are looking into adding stone or tile to the dining room to help retain the heat longer after the sun goes down. In the living room we needed light dampening shades and curtains to keep the heat of the sun out during summer months. These are just examples of what you can do as you start understanding the strenths and weaknesses of your home. Making them work for you can save you big on heating and cooling cost.

To use passive solar in your home you need to understand that it is based on the principal that heat moves from warmer materials to cooler ones until there is no longer a temperature difference between the two. Using heat-movement and heat-storage mechanisms you can move heat to different parts of your home. There are five types of mechanisims you can use, they are:

  • Conduction -The way heat moves through materials by vibrating the molecules to spread the warmth. An example would be the hot cup of coffee you use to warn your hands in the winter.
  • Convection -The way heat moves through liquids and gases by being lighter then cooler so always rising, while cooler sinks. An example would be the warm water at the top of the pool while freezing in the deep end.
  • Radiation -The process of heat transferring from warm object to cooler ones. 2 types of radiation are important to passive solar design and use, they are solar and infrared radiation. Depending on
Read More »
eco20friendly20home20nola-1669635
Community

Happy Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. We hope that everyone has an enjoyable day and helps to spread the word that self-sustainable living is a great way to help save the world, your health and even your wallet.

This past year we have completed the energy efficiency part of getting of our home off the grid plan. We have also starting purchasing our solar panels that will be installed hopefully before Earth Day 2009. We have been more vocal about our choice to become green and off-grid. Started this blog to get information out about alternative/renewable energy, being energy efficient, going green. Even got to the Earth Day celebration by Green Apple Festivals in Washington D.C. Let Washington know that we wanted the environment to be on the front burner, not the back.

Using our information on green and sustainability and sharing it is one of the best ways to bring about change. If we can help one person to rethink the “normal” way of using resources to run their home then we have made a significant change. Have a great day!

See RecycleCindy bag she made for Earth Day

PS You cn help others this Earth Day by donating to the Make it Right 9 foundation. Click the link below to donate to the Eco Friendly Home. Help people in New Orleans rebuild to a more sustainable home.

eco20friendly20home20nola-1669635

Read More »

Singing in the Rain

This years Green Apple Festival celebrating Earth Day still went on despite the rain. At least for a few hours anyway. When the lightening started it was time to start shutting down. Now we can’t say for sure if it over or hoping to wait out the rain as we left when the downpour turned torrential and lightening was regular.

Though it was nice and even the children enjoyed the 3 plus hours we had down there. The speakers were varied and from around the world. Showing that the Earth is not just important to us here in the United States. We were able to visit about half of the exhibitors that were included in the Earth Day Celebration, the other half was a combination of weather and not seeing the rest of the booths across the street. If we hadn’t been huddling under the tents to keep out of the rain we probably would have noticed the second section. Of course we noticed after the heavy rain appeared and had to call the rest of the day a bust.

Also happenig at the Mall was an expo on sustainable living with exhibits put on by colleges. It was very interesting to walk through and see what ideas were being tried out to improve not only our environment but also awareness of the general public. That one we visited on the way in, meaning we were to early for all the booths to be manned and/or ready so not as much information from it was gotten. Though we did find some interesting things that will also be in upcoming posts.

We need to do some more research so we’re not just rehashing the spiel we got from the spokespeople at these great events. We found great ideas such as purifying water with a simple handheld device to running sport cars on solar panels, to playing games to raise awareness, to home improvement and construction companies who make green their only business. So much was available that we hope that others were able to join in on celebrations in their local areas.

Don’t forget that today is a day of noise! Let your elected officials (and hopefuls too!) know that not only do we care about the world we live in but that being able to live in a home that is healthy, self-sufficient is just as important to us. If we don’t tell them they’re not going to be knocking on your door to ask. It’s our responsibility to keep and demand programs that help the average joe to be informed and even give a helping hand so that legislation doesn’t disappear now that people are trying to improve their homes.

Read More »

Earth Day Celebrations

Don’t forget that the Earth Day Celebration near you is this Sunday. You can click on the countdown on the right or here to see what celebration you can walk, bike, skate, etc. to. You can then go to Green Apple Festivals and see your venue. You will get a list of bands, speakers and exhibitors so you can see who is out there to help us make a change.

Then Don’t Forget to follow the day of celebration and information with a day of action. Make some calls to your mayor, local council, governor, state congress, White House (202.456.1111) and Capitol Hill (202.224.3121). Join with others as we make so much noise that the powers that be stop and listen to what we’re telling them. Our voices have gotten stronger in the last couple of years but we need to keep getting louder. Until we’re heard over the money from big interest, that can be hurt by acting responsible for our environment.

Then on Tuesday, April 22, if you have a blog, website, or any other outlet let the world know what you’ve done. If you don’t have your own outlet then join a forum and let them know. Then wish everyone you see Happy Earth Day. The more people who are touched and reminded on Earth Day the more that can become new recruits for making a difference to our Earth.

If you are going to be writing this Earth Day leave a comment or go to the forum and respond to the Earth Day Blog thread and we’ll make sure to link to you in our Earth Day post.

Read More »

Garbage Warrior A Must See

Before seeing the movie of Michael Reynolds’ fight to be able to build his Earthships in New Mexico I wasn’t to sure what to think of his ideas. “Garbage Warrior” wasn’t to high on my must see list either. So I figured I would wait for it to hit TV before watching it.  It is on the Sundance Channel this month and I caught it during their THE GREEN programming on Tuesday nights. 

Earthships have been written about before in our “Earthships -Another Recycling Frontier” post back in February. It was an interesting concept but it didn’t make me wish for one. I was actually put off by the idea, but I wasn’t going to write it off until I gave it some more research.  So when I saw the movie was coming on I decided now was the time to finish up that research I had promised to do.  I have to say that watching this documentary was definitely worth it. 

It not only made me wonder should I think about one for myself and family but think about what it would actually mean if we constructed like Mr. Reynolds wants too.  Use what you find around you not being used, namely trash.  Then make it into something not only functional but beautiful too.  No need for gas, electric or water to be hooked up to your home. Design, build and live in communities together.  Living in a home that is not only designed to be in harmony with it’s environment but to provide for you anything you need to survive.  He fought for his ideas and even lost his architect license over it.  Because of him the people of New Mexico have the chance to build new concepts in home design, instead of hoping it will work on paper.  They can put their ideas of how to make their “Earthships” more efficient, comfortable and use different materials to see what works and what doesn’t.

The journey he took to make that happen is a great inspration to those of us who have run up against that wall that doesn’t see that change is good, and neccessary.  I still think the “Earthship” just wouldn’t work for me and my family but I can’t help but envy those whom it does work for.  So take the time to watch his documentary or even pick up a book of his and see if his unique way of looking at things can’t inspire you too!

Read More »

Sundance has The Green Idea

Sundance channel has started it’s second season of their regular programming called The Green. The Green is both on TV and interactive by way of the web. Programming for this Tuesday includes one of our old favorites It’s Not Easy Being Green, Big Ideas for a Small Planet, The Sierra Club Chronicles, as well as shorts about being an “ecoist” and eco-business.

The Greenis the first programming that is prime time (9 pm) to showcase shows, documentaries, movies that all have the environment as their main concern. This is a wonderful place to catch up on the latest in the environment, going green, living green, or being responsible for your environment. This is also supported by an online community effort to help connect those interested in being eco-friendly and to do business with those who also promote a more responsible and/or self-sustainable way of life. Their online community, called the Eco-mmunity, has an interactive map where you can locate others in your local area and even mark your place in the world. Making it easier for you to connect with others that share your interest or has a product or service you’re looking for.

Seeing the environment and being self-sustaining becoming more of a concern for everyday Americans is very refreshing. Now when people are discussing the environment and going green they no longer seem to have that “look”, you know the one where they think your missing a few marbles, when I speak up and give them pointers or answer questions they have been wondering about. Telling people that how much we lowered our gas & electric bill this winter by just becoming efficient and insulating everywhere we could think of inspired them to start doing it to. Talking about using alternative energy, whether as an individual or by purchasing from alternative power companies, gave people a pause and for some the incentive to look more into it.

I truly believe that we can each live off the grid and still maintain, though improve is more like it, our current standard of living. You don’t have to sacrifice your computer, TV, satellite or cable, dishwasher, phone, iPod, or any other of the multitude of thing you just can’t see living without. Of course when you hear what it is to be quite, you just may wonder why all those things were so important. Especially when you hear the laughter of your children, the singing of the birds, the whisper of the wind, and the trickle of a stream. Those sounds that have been drowned out by today’s hectic lifestyle are still there waiting to be heard again.

Read More »

REGREEN when you ReModel

Starting in March 2008 those of us who wish to remodel, rehab, or gut either part or our entire existing homes now have a program and guidelines to help us make them as green as possible. New construction has the LEED program to help guide and find products needed to make them green. Now the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation have developed the REGREEN program and guidelines.

REGREEN is a collection of resources and tools that are designed to help make your home remodeling project turn your home green. These guidelines are for residential home renovation that can be as simple as replacing an appliance, like a dishwasher, to redoing the bathroom, to remodeling your entire interior living space. The major elements of any project in remodeling are addressed. These include such things as the actual home site, water efficiency, material/resources, energy, atmosphere, and the quality of your indoor environment. These guidelines seek to integrate building systems and proven technologies into green strategies and case studies for homeowners, builders and design professionals. These guidelines are for even u do-it-yourself types. Though knowing them is also great if you are seeking professional help in either the design or building part of your project. Since this then enables you to have a reference to how what you want and to make sure it;s what is planned or done.

REGREEN has organized it’s guidelines by the 10 most common remodeling project types and are divided into three distinct areas. These areas are:

  1. remodeling projects described by scope, integrated pre-design issues, and environmental strategies for each of the home’s systems, including plumbing, HVAC and electrical workings;
  2. a library of strategies by environmental topic;
  3. case studies of successful green home renovations.

To get the guidelines or lean more you can visit REGREEN at www.regreenprogram.org

Read More »

off-grid.net

Join the global off-grid community

Register for a better experiencE on this site!