This concept is being explored by Tim Shaddock of Corning -- using solar and wind power to pump water back up to a holding pond where it can be released to a microturbine when power is needed. Thus avoiding the need for batteries. Tim was our speaker on microhydro systems for the Green Resource Hub's seminar in January. Gay In a message dated 4/10/2008 3:16:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I had an idea with storing water which I would love to build someday. The idea starts with a wind turbine which does not need to be very large at all. This would pump water up (into storage somewhere). Alternatively, a bike or any other form of energy which results in rotation could pump the water up (treadmills, playground equip, or just a hand pump). Then, when power is needed, a microhydro type of rotational energy collection could be used - on demand - as long as there is water with potential energy. I think this has some interesting benefits since it could use clean materials mostly. Since the water flow would be constant when needed, a specific power output would be possible, which may eliminate the need for batteries. As much as I like solar and wind power, I still see some non-sustainable aspects to using batteries to store the power, which this system *may* be able to avoid while still producing consistent electricity. -Andy ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator w_ww.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 [EMAIL PROTECTED] **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
