Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:13:09 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8456 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8456 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:35:18 +0000 Sprocket
I was sent some marketing blurb about a system from "Cool Power Products" called "EMMA" that automatically diverts all excess PV electricity to your immersion heater. It looks to cost about £1700 (which seems quite pricey to me given the pretty simple job it does). I'm not sure we're supposed to post links here but you'll find it if you Google it.

It's of limited interest to me anyway since my PV is running my GSHPs and I will of course set timers so the GSHPs run when PV is most likely to be available. I did consider trying to do something smarter (our plant rooms are networked and I can read the PV output so the essentials are already there) but then that amounts to a similar thing anyway - making most use of the PV. Is that entirely ethical? I don't have an export meter so doesn't it mean my power provider would be overpaying me for presumed exports? Is that my problem or theirs?

Anyway, I would be interested to know what folks in here think of the idea?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8400 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8400 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:47:57 +0000 JSHarris
It seems that the recent spate of blade and turbine failures may have put the wind up at least one insurance company. It made me wonder whether or not people routinely inform their insurers of wind power installations or not, or even whether they need to. Might be something to watch out for if you've got a wind turbine installation.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9418 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9418 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 11:15:19 +0100 TimSmall
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/farming/farming_20120804-0700a.mp3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/farming

Tim.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9419 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9419 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:35:54 +0100 GBP-Keith
Here is the scenario:
I have a 2.5 wind turbine and a number of other renewable technologies charging large battery banks. Some energy from some of my generators (hydro and some solar) is added to the batteries via simple chargers. However when the wind blows gusty (often with sunny weather) I occasionally get spikes up to 30volts or even slightly higher. This is OK to some degree as it helps equalize the batteries but I have found that it can (and is) damaging some of the chargers. The automatic (3 stage) chargers seem more vulnerable as they seem unable to keep up with the rapidly changing voltages.

I thought that some sort of blocking diode would be the answer but one charger manufacturer said that the charger will fail to see the batteries.

Any ideas please- all suggestions welcome.
Cheers, Keith]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9311 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9311 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:22:16 +0100 windy lamb Any thoughts?.

- I think my neighbours should be a bit more concerned than me because at least 6 of them are within 600m of it, 2 are 400m and I don't think turbulence will be their problem! :shocked:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8081 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8081 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:30:50 +0000 jamesingram
4kW south facing system in UK , simple install inc vat £10,000

estimated annual output 3,434 kWh/y

25 year life of system , grid electric with no service charge 14p kWh

25 x 3,434 = 85,850 kWh x 14p = £12, 019 ( £10,302 if 12p kWh grid electric with service charge )

So PV in the UK is cheaper than grid electric if you can use or store this energy , whether you get /grants/FITs or not

this doesn't take into account reduction in output of PV panels over time period ( 2-20% ), loss in potential alternative capital investment, grid electricity inflation, Pv system maintenance
and importantly ability to use and store all output .

Ok you lot , let me know where I've got it wrong :wink:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9300 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9300 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:41:32 +0100 mondage I was informed by the planners 12 months ago that my 45 cm parapet was not the the plane of the roof and therefore I would need planning permission for my 16 panels (2 Thermal and 16PV (4Kw)).

So upon finally deciding to embark on the pain of planning, imagine my glee when I discovered the new modifications to Permitted development for Wales (Sorry England)

Flat roofs can have panels up to 1 metre above the deck.

Hurrah! no planning required....

It was snuck under the radar on 18th June.

http://origin-www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2012/1346/made

Just thought the forum would like to know of the changes.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9281 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9281 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:28:01 +0100 stephenmooney http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9255 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9255 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:09:35 +0100 Joiner
http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Documents/MSc_2006/ete.pdf]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9246 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9246 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:28:37 +0100 Joiner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MQaT9EbMDQ

:bigsmile:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9232 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9232 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:37:30 +0100 tony
One large wind turbine, no hydro, some heat pumps, vast majority of electricity from fossil fuels, gas and oil prices rising fast.
Hybrid cars and busses, one electric car, less free parking,
Loads of wood burners, some larger wood and biomass installations in schools, businesses etc
Uptake of solar pv widespread but still only a tiny proportion.
Better insulation regulations for new buildings but this is not translating into as built results, poor air tightness,
Existing housing stock is poorly insulated, plenty of loft insulation going on, some cavity wall insulation, no floor insulation, no draught proofing or air sealing. Increase in energy poverty.
Waste recycling greatly improved
More interest in fruit and vegetable growing


What can we realistically expect to see by 2020?

No more wind, lots more solar pv, may be hydro on the river, the grid itself will be greener
We will see more hybrid busses and cars, more electric cars, probably more cycling hopefully more car sharing and park and rides. Petrol and diesel will be very expensive.
The vast majority of electricity will still be generated from fossil fuels, gas and oil prices will be rising faster still and shortages of gas and oil will be seen.
New build will slowly improve in line with CSH nothing dramatic
The bulk of the existing housing stock will still be poorly insulated, draughty; energy hogging and even more people will be in energy poverty. We will see virtually no uptake of the Green deal. There will be an increase of insulation levels in roofs, some external and internal insulation wall insulation will be seen but this will only scratch the surface of what is needed, also we will see more draught proofing but we are unlikely to see any floor insulation.
We will see Smart Metering and consequent load shifting. (no overall saving of energy)
Waste recycling continuing to improve, more energy generated from waste.
We will see increased use of wood and biomass but also fully justified increasing resistance to its use and a widespread degradation in air quality that will become a much bigger problem.
We will see more examples of low energy projects, although district heating has been mooted I do not think that we will see this apart from possibly in high rise flats and these probably would be better demolished in any case.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9221 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9221 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:26:31 +0100 EmmaG http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9209 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9209 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:27:36 +0100 Joiner
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-see-cheaper-offshore-wind-2020-reports-103654499--sector.html]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9070 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9070 Mon, 14 May 2012 09:56:36 +0100 jms452
I was annoyed to see that if I want to change electricity supplier in future I also need to transfer my FiT provider to the new company.

http://www.npower.com/idc/groups/wcms_content/@wcms/@resi/documents/digitalassets/fit_information_booklet.pdf (p4).

I will probably find that they aren’t the best deal when our already low usage drops and I would like to avoid reams of paperwork every time I want to change electricity company.

I don’t really fancy transferring to utilities warehouse for a strings attached short term sweetener.

I have spoken to good energy who I saw mentioned positively on other forums and they seemed helpful and don’t restrict me from changing electricity supplier but admitted it could take 9 weeks for me to get the cash after submitting meter reading! Is this normal?

Any recommendations (you can whisper if you feel more comfortable).

Thanks

John]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9174 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9174 Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:18:01 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9176 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9176 Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:03:16 +0100 Joiner http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7560 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7560 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:23:35 +0100 pauler
Or will the MCS figures show a completely different story....:wink:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8491 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8491 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:48:11 +0000 Triassic
http://roadtoendeavour.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/polar_project_array.jpg

and if you want to learn more

http://roadtoendeavour.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/different-views/]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7926 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7926 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:47:45 +0100 tony
the cost was about 600k,

Archimedes screw turbine - grid linked -- had to get an abstraction licence even though there was an an existing working mill there and no water gets abstracted.

Pays for itself in 9 years!!!

Then profit all the way into the future

Why are these things more prevalent???? Especially if they generate that much electricity and are so hugely economic?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9098 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9098 Sun, 20 May 2012 16:46:38 +0100 ianandbecca
I am left with the penstock, running past my house, with no turbine at the bottom, what a waste.

Is there anyone out there that would be interested in supplying a turbine

I have 12m head, 180mm penstock running 130m to turbine house, with a few bends. It is capable of supplying 40l/sec, when the burn is at average flow.The company that built my last one measured the pressure at the bottom of the pipe, it was 1 bar. They thought a small crossflow was what I needed.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9084 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9084 Thu, 17 May 2012 13:33:49 +0100 davidfreeborough
Hopefully this draft standard will encourage some informed debate & be re-written in a way that encourages innovation in both component & system design. If it goes ahead unchallenged, it will probably have a negative effect on the development of efficient, low cost, integrated systems for new build or retrofit.

If you have any views then you might like to comment on the current draft:

http://drafts.bsigroup.com/

Search for BS5918 & you should find "Draft BS 5918 Solar heating systems for domestic hot water – Code of practice".

You need to register to leave comments, but registration is free & quick.

David]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8352 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8352 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:25:45 +0000 mzthomps
Luckily I have a letter from the solar installer which referred to a 10 year warranty on those panels, which they are following up on with Filsolar (albeit Filsolar rather slow to respond).

Apparently this is common. Anyone else had problems with Filsolar kit or flat panels?

Thanks,

Mark]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9082 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9082 Wed, 16 May 2012 22:28:08 +0100 alexsmb
We have started putting up monthly turbine production stats too. Look at the tab at the top right.

The more people that join the more useful the information in the statistics, and the forum, will be.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9050 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9050 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:46:03 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9049 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9049 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:21:29 +0100 tony
After I wrote to T5 about this they now mostly only run escalators on demand

But for up escalators all the work of lifting people is at an energy cost, if there were down escalators (not the case in question) almost all the energy could be reclaimed.

But if there were more down escalators than up ones then energy could be generated free of charge form the general public :swingin:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9020 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9020 Thu, 03 May 2012 16:02:19 +0100 gavstamp http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9016 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9016 Wed, 02 May 2012 23:04:24 +0100 tony
The top level has risen by 600mm but the lower level by 1.6m meaning that the head is one meter less!

:sad:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8769 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8769 Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:55:55 +0000 GBP-Keith
I have been thinking of some sort of blocking diode but I'm betting it won't be that simple.

I want to run a few small resistive loads during sunshine periods on simple timers but I don't want the grid to feed them if the sun goes behind a cloud.

I also don't know how the grid connected inverters would cope - I am assuming any blocking diode would prevent them seeing the grid and they would go off

Clearly an unusual ask but I need to look for a solution.

Any and all suggestions gladly accepted.

Thanks, Keith]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8262 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8262 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:29:04 +0000 mzthomps The inverter is regularly reporting a grid fault and cutting out for 600 secs resulting in very little overall generation. This appears to be more prevalent when it is generating above 1kw. I have noticed that it always seams to be operating at an AC of 251 to 253V - to the top end of the DNO tolerance of 253V.
After a forced reboot (I turned off the AC, DC and then switched back on), it restarts OK for a while, but I have managed to capture it operating at 255V - which is I guess the reason why it is cutting out?

Others in the area with solar pv don't have a problem (or maybe they don't understand what they are looking at to know?) I don't have sufficient kit to carryout any analysis on the true grid voltage.

Inverter is a Schuco SB2500HF-30. System is 2.5kwp. Fitted by SolarTech.

Haven't been able to have a sensible conversation with installer yet. I guess they are maxed out the FIT deadline. I'm loath to raise it with the DNO until SolarTech have discounted a problem with the inverter.

Any ideas what could be causing the problem? Thanks.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9000 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:59:16 +0100 RobinB
http://inhabitat.com/moss-table-by-biophotovoltaics-generates-electricity-through-photosynthesis/]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7974 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7974 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:21:12 +0100 SteveZ
Does anyone have in-depth knowledge of the process of slow and/or fast pyrolysis? It seems to be a good technique of dealing with most of the organic rubbish which finds its way into landfill or the incinerator.

Before the flood of comments about reduce, reuse and recycle come in, I would like to say that I agree that is the best way but, in the real world, we need a better way to dispose of the rubbish in the near future.

In pyrolysis, the organic rubbish is ground small and dried to remove most of the water content, then is heated in an oxygen deprived atmosphere. This produces gas, oil and a solid char. The proportion of each can be adjusted by changing the conditions and is also dependent on the raw material. The gas produced can be used to heat the process plant in a closed loop and any excess modified separately into liquid fuel. The oil can be used as is or refined into diesel fuel. As the exhaust gases are recirculated into the plant there are no or very few emissions from the plant. The char is, according to the trial results, a very effective slow release fertiliser and soil improver.

I don't think pyrolysis plants are available off the shelf yet and the technique is not fully sorted, but it seems to offer such possibilities that I am surprised (or suspicious) that there is not more publicity about it.

if it all sounds too good to be true, then maybe we could dig a little deeper and see if this is one which is actually as good as it sounds]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6877 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6877 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:14:37 +0000 david
The first would drill holes through the slates, fix brackets to the rafters and fit rails to the brackets. The holes in the slates would be covered with a small piece of lead. The fixings would leak, the slates would be cracked or broken, it would be impossible to fix the brackets securely without breaking slates and the array would rattle in a wind. The second is more conscious of the fact that a roof is designed to keep water out but both had no method to use to decide how many fixings were necessary. The site is very exposed.
When the panels are fittted the fixings are invisible and difficult to repair.

I searched the net for an approved system for use on slate roofs but found none.
I spoke to Building Control, pointing out that PV panels could blow off and be very dangerous, that the integrity of slate roofs was damaged by drilling holes in slates. I asked if there was a BBA accredited system. While they understood the problem they could not advise me.

Fitting PV panels to a slated roof could be a disaster, the roof could be ruined, the panels could come off and injure someone. It could cost more than the system was worth to repair the roof.
Is there a BBA accredited system for mounting to slates?

I have designed a bracket and flashings which will not leak but how many fixings per area of panel are required and how strong do they have to be? Could I use my brackets without BBA? Who knows?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8657 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8657 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:05:05 +0000 katys
The windspeed is 5.6m/s at 10m for our grid ref, although may be higher as we're positioned towards the top of the hill, close to a small commercial windfarm (possibly soon to be a huge one if they get planning permission).

I'd be grateful for any thoughts/experience on whether the KW6 is any good (looks very similar to the previous Proven one) or alternative recommendations, ideally MCS approved. Given the proposed cut in FITs I guess we need to make a decision quickly.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8928 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8928 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:20:14 +0100 budbecks
Ok i have a old rad and can make a box similar to the one described here

http://www.diydata.com/projects/solarpanel/solar_collector.php

All i want to be able to do is heat 1 rad from the "solar collector". Both rads are about the same size, if anything the rad indoors is slightly larger.

The "solar collector" is outside about 7 meters away from the internal rad. All the pipes will be super insulated using 32mm wall 15mm armaflex. It can be pumped using a heat stat and pump or failing that just gravity.

Could anybody show me the simplist way to plumb this in ?

Could i literally connect each rad up, the solar being lower to allow to rise ? possibly adding a vent to the rad ?

Any help would be great]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8934 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8934 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:52:38 +0100 Brianwilson http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/apr/13/green-deal-save-homeowners-money]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8939 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8939 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:38:41 +0100 tony
I like it, we would then have access to cheap green volcanic electricity.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8885 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8885 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:05 +0100 ro83llis
I'm currently writing a dissertation on Heat Pumps in the UK and would greatly appreciate it if you could help me out by filling out my questionnaire and providing feedback.

If anybody would be happy to also discuss their experiences with Heat Pumps please let me know.

Here is the link to the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/heatpumpquestionnaire


Please note this is for my dissertation and not for general release and not for any commercial interests.
All responses are anonymous.

Your participation is greatly appreciated! If you have any further comments please leave them here.


Many Thanks
Rob]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5287 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5287 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:46:26 +0000 wertert Really been round the houses during the last few weeks, thinking about using some green technology in our new house. We are part way through a refurb and my fafing about is now starting to delay the project !

We've binned the woodburner-connected-to-the-cylinder idea because it was relatively complex and, if i’m honest, we probably will only light it at the weekends etc. Overall I don’t think it will really make that much difference to our heating costs / carbon footprint.

So I’ve been considering Solar panels. We’re using a dual coil cylinder like this

http://www.santon.co.uk/292.htm

plan is for a 300L tank.

We would use the second coil for the connection to the solar panels on the roof. These are the things that I am currenty worrying about.

1) My experience of megaflows is once you draw off, for example, a bath full of hot water cold water rushes in and cools the remaining hot water down. You try and top up the bath after 10 mins and you just get luke warm. So if I’ve got a lovely tank of hot water heated via my solar panels during the day and someone has a shower at 5pm we will will probably end up with a tank full of water too cool to use for anything else without firing up the boiler.

2) 300L is too large and to heat this with solar panels I will need to buy panels I don’t really need. Tank supports the following ( 2 adults + 4 children ).

En suite bathroom (2 x baths a day) + 2 sinks
Another Bathroom ( 1 x bath a day ) + 1 sinks
Kitchen sink
Utility room sink
WC sink.

This is only half the house BTW.

So i’m thinking 300L is overkill. Maybe 200L/250L would be a better fit ? I normally think bigger is better but
If 1) is true then it is doubley daft to heat 300L before cooling it down after using just 60L on a bath.
Any advice would be excellent as I’ve really got to move forward and I’m meeting the plumber on Thursday. He already thinks i’m insane...which is partially right actually.

Thanks

Jeff]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8030 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8030 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:55:12 +0100 CWatters
Yesterday an Italian, a Mr Rossi, claimed to demo a LENR (aka cold fusion) reactor producing several hundred kW for many hours. The demo wasn't intended to prove anything to the world at large but was intended to convince a "secret" paying customer.

http://pesn.com/2011/10/28/9501940_1_MW_E-Cat_Test_Successful/

Quotes:

"It ran for 5.5 hours producing 470 kW"

"That's half the rated capacity, but it is still a major accomplishment.. "

"Radiation measurements were taken by Dr. Bianchini David, from the University of Bologna. He said no extraneous radiation was detected at any time emanating from the reaction chambers,.."

"Rossi has been very picky about who he lets in; Enrico Billi, a nuclear physicist and friend of Rossi's, who is presently living in China and helping to open doors there for this technology; Professor Christos Stremmenos, from the University of Bologna, who told me all about his theory of how the technology works; Pierre Clauzon, nuclear engineering professor from France, who told me about several theoretical physicists trying to understand cold fusion in general and the E-Cat in particular; Uzikova Irina, a nuclear plant designer from Russia; Stefan Heglesson, representing a Swedish interest in the technology; Loris Ferrari, Associate Professor of Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Bologna.."

"Probably the biggest opening for skeptics will be the continually running genset that is probably rated for 500 kW"

My comments:

Still can't decide if this is a scam or not. It's certainly not been proved beyond reasonable doubt but some very credible people have seen this and other demonstrations and they appear convinced. Time will tell.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8751 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8751 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:59:48 +0000 Nick Parsons http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7740 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7740 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:09:18 +0100 tullyfoyle at 55 centigrade for 6 people every day - guaranteed.
Ted]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8859 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8859 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:40:38 +0100 joe90
Feel free to discuss and point out where this theory falls down, or not.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8787 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8787 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:21:24 +0000 tony
There they have temperatures guaranteed at -30C every year and yes the system does not provide all their energy but it probably would for us in the UK, worth a mention?

My own single house "Heath Robinson" interseasonal store is not working as well as I had anticipated but then my first two winters have been unusually cold. This year was better but I did add some heat, a few hundred Watts the last week of January but heater is off again since the third week of Feb 2012 but that was to keep the temperature up to 21C.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8785 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8785 Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:22:36 +0000 wertert I completed the installation of a solar thermal system last year and filled it with glycol over the weekend. It's had water in it up until now.
It's a basic system. Panel on the roof. Cylinder and pump station in the basement. The pipe run (15mm copper) between the two is long. About 12 m so that's a 24m round trip. I have thermostats on the panel and in the base of the cylinder ( near the coil ). The pump computer does it's job by switching on the pump when the panel is hotter than the store. It was only ever expected to pre-heat the 270L tank in the day and let the boiler finish it off in the evening.

So .. to the problem.

I am convinced that in the evening I am actually seeing the panel being heated up by heat transfered from the store to the panel. The panel temp remains weirdly high even when it's dark and cool outside. Because the panel is still sending a high temperature i.e 45c and this is still higher than the bottom of the tank the pump switches on.

The pipe from the panel is cold and the pipe from the cylinder ( to the panel ) is warm to the touch. Why is the panel sending 45c and the fluid is coming down cold ?

I tested my theory last night.

I manually disabled the pump. Panel temp starts dropping i.e to 38 quite quickly. I then re-enabled the pump which switches on ( 38c still higher than cylinder ) and after a few minutes the panel temp begins to rise !! this was 8pm in the evening and it was dark and cool outside. Day had been very sunny.

So any ideas from the experts ? I am thinking that either the panel thermometer is broken or i've missed some critical setting in pump station computer. Thermometer seems to work ok during the rest of the day.

Any advice would be great as I think i'm currently heating the sky !]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8775 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8775 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:42:15 +0000 Joiner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merton_Rule

Is it still necessary as a prescriptive measure, or has it served its purpose now that consciousnesses (!!) are more aware and energy saving is now a subconscious part of the thinking process?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8717 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8717 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:31:21 +0000 Seret
Interesting to see power companies starting to compete for FIT business though.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3138 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3138 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:58:45 +0000 TheDoctor
I was having a discussion with a neighbour (ahh! why does this site persist with a Yanky spellchecker!)

their words : "we have a f*ck off water main runnung through the estate, can we not get a turbine built into it for local electricity?"

my response:
Scottish water wont have any of it - will laugh in your general direction
flow isnt generated by gravity, but by use, so would be intermittent
risk of contamination
risks water supply for faults / maintenance
will reduce flow - may be high pressure here, but not by the last tap on the line

so - is there any mileage here, or is this a dafty thought?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8721 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8721 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:40:35 +0000 candlemaker http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8474 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8474 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:09:30 +0000 pmusgrove http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8619 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8619 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:42:33 +0000 Davipon Been waiting for the renewable section of a well know plumbing suppliers to get it sorted but have banged head for long enough!
Any help much appreciated
:bigsmile:]]>