DC Microgrids and Nickel-Iron batteries
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I am really impressed with the concept of NOT having an AC inverter with homestead electrical microgrids. I recently learned that the term "microgrid" refers to the small electrical systems found on homesteads and small villages that are independent of the mega-energy-grid. There are some very strong arguments for keeping a homestead's solar energy in its original DC form and for using super rugged nickel-iron batteries to store that energy. I have no first-hand experience with either DC microgrids or nickel-iron batteries, but I recommend LivingEnergyLights.com for an excellent presentation of these concepts.
Living Energy Lights is a project of Living Energy Farm in Louisa, VA. Living Energy Farm is an off-grid intentional community of nine adults and three children living on 127 acres of woods, fields and orchards. They grow most of their own food, along with organic seed for income, and offer durable solar products that empower the transition away from fossil fuels and mega-grid power. Their mission is to develop and promote technologies that make renewable energy truly sustainable and accessible to everyone.
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Grateful for this post. A wonderful find!!! I too have been meditating on generating my our power. I will be studying this in greater depth. I'll let all know what I wind up doing.
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I built an electric motorcycle using salvaged Nissan Leaf
battery modules, and am now using DowKokam bus battery modules.
The thing about electric vehicles and mass adoption is that these battery packs have much longer useful life after their automotive use. They degrade after 4-5 years of automotive use to the point where a noticeable loss of power occurs, but they still can be used for power wall energy storage and do become available in the salvage yards at reasonable prices. They probably have a 10-15 year useful life after they are retired from automotive use.
These battery modules are improving constantly, and the prices are improving also as mass adoption increases.The future is so bright, you must wear shades!!
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@upwinger This is great to know, as we own a Hyundai Kona E, and we are still very much in the planning stages of our home.
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@rachelanna Overtime, people will become more self-sufficient in food and energy. It will bring the bills down. I am not sure about water though. That's a tough one.
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@knowitallteen does it rain where you live? I find water to be the least difficult ting to do. I have never ran out of rain water. Never.
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I collect the rain of the roof into cheap black plastic garbage cans linked together. If you ever run out go buy more cheap garbage cans and add to your system.
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I strain out the leaves and bits with a cloth, tee shirt ect. into my temp indoor storage and treat with 1-2 drops Chlorine Dioxide per gallon. Let sit 1 hour at least.
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Filter thru a Zero water filter. Ready for all consumption. This water reads at 0.000 on my TDS meter.
This is so cheap and simple to do. I don't understand those who think water is hard. I suppose others have very different life situations than I do but life situations are the results of life long decisions/choices made. I have made my share of bad ones.
Notes:
MY tap water reads @0.600-0.540 on the TDS (filthy unhealthy)
My raw rain water of the roof reads @ 0.002-0.006
My final Zero water filter read @0.000 same as distilled water but with the minerals and stuff.
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@anthonydjones Is the treating equipment expensive? Also, I live by the great lakes, so water is very cheap where I live.
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Yes the treatment is very cheap. Also you can make it yourself at home. You don't have to buy it in small 4-8 oz bottles for maybe 20+- bucks.
It is made from 80% Chlorine Chlorite and 4% HCL. Go to "https://www.miracleofwater.com/" and look thru the site pages to learn. There are videos on exactly how to make it. The ingredients seem expensive at first glance but the end product cost you pennies. It does way more than treat water as you will learn but I can not say here due to very aggressive censorship of this subject.As to water there being cheap have you added in the cost of your medications and doctor visits?
At any rate it is wise to learn how to stay healthy. Nobody will care about it like you will. They look to the income you have to live with it.
