Alternative sources of electricity. DIY alternative energy sources

Non-traditional energy sources include energy from the sun, wind, and also that generated by human muscular efforts. Find out the details below.

Alternative energy sources are a variety of promising methods for obtaining and transmitting electricity. Moreover, such energy sources are renewable and cause minimal harm to the environment. Such energy sources include solar panels and solar stations.

They, in turn, are divided into 3 types of energy production using:

Photocells;
Solar panels;
Combined options.

A popular use is the use of mirror systems that heat water to high temperatures, resulting in steam that, passing through a system of pipes, turns a turbine. Wind turbines and wind farms generate current using wind energy, which spins special blades connected to generators.

The use of wave energy, as well as ebb and flow of tides, is popular.

As experiments have shown, such power plants are capable of generating about 15 kW, which significantly exceeds the power of solar and wind power plants.

Hot water from geothermal sources is widely used to generate electricity. It is interesting to use kinetic energy in some rooms, for example, in gyms, where the moving parts of exercise equipment are connected by rods to generators, which, as a result of people’s movement, generate electricity.

Non-traditional energy sources: methods of production

Non-traditional sources of energy supply are primarily the production of electricity using wind, sunlight, tidal wave energy, and also using geothermal waters. But besides this, there are other ways using biomass and other methods.

Namely:

Generating electricity from biomass. This technology involves the production of biogas from waste, which consists of methane and carbon dioxide. Some experimental installations (humireactor from Michael) process manure and straw, which makes it possible to obtain 10–12 m3 of methane from 1 ton of material.
Generating electricity thermally. Converting thermal energy into electricity by heating some interconnected semiconductors consisting of thermoelements and cooling others. As a result of the temperature difference, an electric current is produced.
Hydrogen cell. This is a device that allows you to obtain a fairly large amount of a hydrogen-oxygen mixture from ordinary water through electrolysis. At the same time, the costs of producing hydrogen are minimal. But such generation of electricity is still only in the experimental stage.

Another type of electricity generation is a special device called a Stirling engine. Inside a special cylinder with a piston there is gas or liquid. When external heating occurs, the volume of liquid or gas increases, the piston moves and in turn causes the generator to work. Next, the gas or liquid, passing through the pipe system, cools and moves the piston back. This is a rather rough description, but it gives you an idea of how this engine works.

Alternative Energy Options

In the modern world, due to some limitation of natural resources of heat and electricity, some people use alternative energy sources. One of the main directions of alternative energy is the search and use of non-traditional types and sources.

Sources from which you can get electricity:

Are renewable;
Can successfully replace traditional ones;
We are constantly improving, developing and researching.

Equipping turnstiles in the subway and at railway stations with high-power piezoelectric elements allows, when stepping on special plates, to generate electricity from the pressure of human weight. Such operating installations have been installed as an experiment in some cities in China and Japan.

Green energy - producing biogas, which can subsequently be used to heat houses from seaweed. It has been established that from 1 hectare of water surface occupied by green algae, up to 150,000 m 3 of gas can be obtained. Using the energy of dormant volcanoes, water is pumped into the volcano, under the influence of heat and high temperatures, turns into steam, which flows through special pipes to the turbine and spins it. Currently, there are only 2 such experimental installations in the world. The use of wastewater using special cells containing special bacteria that oxidize organic matter leads to the production of electrons and, as a result, electricity during chemical processes.

Home Energy Sources: Options

Due to rising energy tariffs, many people are beginning to think not only about saving energy, but also about additional sources of energy. Some people prefer to DIY, while some prefer some ready-made solutions, which may include certain options.

Namely:

Installation of solar panels on glass, which are highly transparent, so they can be placed even in multi-story buildings. But at the same time, their efficiency even in sunny, clear weather does not exceed 10%.
To illuminate some areas of the room, LEDs and LED lamps on small batteries connected to a solar panel are used. It is enough to charge the battery during the day so that you can get lighting in the evening.
Installation of traditional solar panels, which allow you to charge batteries and partially power home appliances and lamps through an inverter. It is also possible to generate hot water during the warmer months by installing a vacuum pump and a heat collector on the roof.

Residents living in urban areas, unfortunately, have a limited choice of additional energy sources, unlike those living in country houses. In a private house there are much more opportunities to make an autonomous power supply. And also make autonomous independent heating systems for a country house or dacha.

Heating for a private home: alternative energy sources

Among the most common ways to generate electricity is wind propulsion. It is enough to place a high mast with moving blades connected to a generator near a country house to receive electric current and charge the batteries.

To obtain heat, you can use heat pumps; when using them, you can take heat from almost anywhere:

Air;
Water;
Earth.

The principle of their operation is the same as in a refrigerator, only when air or water is pumped through a pump, heat is produced. Homemade structures are in no way inferior to industrial ones. At home, you can make similar structures yourself; just find the drawings and make a windmill to get cheap electricity literally out of thin air. There are other types and opportunities to obtain electricity and heating for a private home.

Using an ordinary generator is effective, especially in the northern regions of Russia, since if there is a lack of sunlight, the panels are simply useless.

The same applies to thermal convectors, which are designed to heat water. It is somewhat easier to obtain heat by using a biofuel boiler; pressed sawdust and granules, including straw and peat, are used as the combustion material. But such biofuel boilers are slightly more expensive than gas boilers.

Do-it-yourself current and heat: alternative energy for the home

Free electricity for an apartment or private house has always been of interest to people, since in recent years heating and electricity tariffs have only been increasing. And to save money, many people try to find options for getting heat and energy for free. To do this, they make different systems, including trying to invent an eternal source, and come up with unusual and new ways to generate current and heat.

Relative free energy (do-it-yourself solar panel assembly):

It is possible to purchase solar battery parts from China;
Collect everything yourself;
As a rule, each kit comes with an assembly diagram.
All this allows you to independently assemble the panel and power supply circuit, in particular for an apartment or private house.

Fuel-free free energy is obtained from electromagnetic waves - any vibrations can be converted into electricity. True, the efficiency of such circuits is very low, but, nevertheless, with the help of specially made devices you can charge phones and other small household appliances.

True, charging will take quite a long time.

To generate heat, some craftsmen use methane, which in turn is obtained from animal manure and other waste. A properly designed system is a good option for generating thermal energy and heating your home, as well as for cooking.

Sun and wind as alternative forms of energy

An alternative to obtaining both heat and electricity is relevant for many people. Small solar energy is the use of silicon-based solar panels, the amount of energy received depends on the number of batteries, the latitude of the location of the house or other premises.

The technology for generating energy using generators is interesting; it is enough to connect a charge controller to the generator and connect the entire circuit with batteries, so you can get a sufficient amount of energy.

It is relevant to use special thermoelectric heat-to-electricity converters, in other words, the use of semiconductor thermocouples. One part of the pair is heated, the second is cooled, as a result of which free electricity appears, which can be used in everyday life. It can be used to generate energy for children; it is enough to connect a swing on a playground with a dynamo in order to receive a small percentage of electricity that can be used to light the playground.

Do-it-yourself free electricity (video)

An alternator or, more simply put, a power supply generator is today the most common way of generating electrical energy. But despite this, there are quite a lot of opportunities for generating electricity using alternative sources around the globe.

The lack of developed infrastructure in remote areas often forces owners to look for sources of alternative energy for their home. Technologies do not stand still; such things are no longer something exotic and difficult to obtain. In this article you will find out what the market offers today as a replacement for connecting to central power grids.

What are there

Energy is always present in the environment in one form or another. This is the wind, the radiation of the sun, the flow of water, the warmth of the earth. All that remains is to use them and transform them into the one that is needed. Let's look at what alternative energy sources allow us to do this.

Solar panels

The operating principle is based on the ability of electronic devices called photocells to convert the energy of photons from sunlight into electrical energy. This example of alternative energy is the most common.

Batteries produced for private use use silicon photocells. They come in two types:

Polycrystalline. Very fragile and therefore require careful handling. They have low efficiency - no more than 15%. Average service life is 20 years. The advantage is low price.
Monocrystalline. More reliable. The service life can reach 50 years. Efficiency 25%. The disadvantage is the high cost.

Advantages of solar panels:

an inexhaustible source of energy for several decades;
ease of installation and maintenance, operation does not require daily human intervention;
durability;
no harmful effects on the environment and humans.

Their disadvantages are the high cost of equipment, which takes a long time to pay for itself, and dependence on the intensity of sunlight. If the sky becomes cloudy, the power of the photocells decreases.

Wind generators

They are a combination of a wind turbine with blades mounted on a special mast and an electric generator. When air flows pass through this installation, the blades begin to rotate under their influence and drive the internal shaft connected to the gearbox.

This design allows you to increase the initial rotation speed. The gearbox is connected to a generator, which generates electric current when the rotor rotates. Its excess accumulates in installed batteries.

Depending on the location of the rotation axis, wind generators are divided into horizontal and vertical. The first type is more popular. Many models are equipped with an automatic rotation system in the direction of the wind, which significantly increases the efficiency of the installation.

The advantages of these devices are in many ways similar to solar panels. Efficiency can range from 25% to 47% depending on the specific model and weather conditions.

The operation of a wind generator does not depend on the time of day. All you need is wind, and the stronger it is, the better. The cost of the equipment is relatively low, but installation costs can be much higher.

The main disadvantages are noise during operation and low-frequency infrasound, which negatively affects health. For this reason, the mast with the device should be installed as far as possible from housing.

Biogas plants

They use various waste products for work, for example, from domestic or farm animals and birds. In a sealed container, they are treated with anaerobic bacteria, which in turn release biogas.

To make the process go faster, the waste must be stirred periodically, for which a manual or mechanical stirrer is used.

Biogas enters a special storage facility called a gas holder, where it is dried. Then it is used as regular natural gas. The remaining waste after processing can be used to make fertilizer.

Modern technologies for obtaining energy using biogas plants allow this to be done without performing unpleasant actions. Their main advantages:

independence from weather conditions;
savings on waste disposal;
the ability to use many types of raw materials.

The disadvantages include the following:

although this is a biologically friendly type of fuel, when burned it releases a small amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere;
It is convenient to use the installation only in areas rich in necessary raw materials;
the cost of the equipment is quite high.

Heat pumps

It would be more correct to call them an alternative heat source. Designed for organizing heating and hot water supply at home. They consume electricity, so they must be used in combination with other types of alternative energy.

The principle of operation is based on the ability of substances such as freon to boil at low temperatures. When it turns into a gas, thermal energy is released. The installation consists of external and internal circuits, as well as a pump circuit. The external one is buried underground or sinks to the bottom of the reservoir.

The freon circulating through it heats up under the influence of the environment, in the pump circuit under high pressure it turns into a gaseous state, as a result of which the temperature rises to 70 C°. The internal one carries the coolant heated in the pump throughout the house.

Heat pumps are very efficient and can provide hot water and heating all year round. Electricity costs are minimal - with the consumption of 1 kW of electricity, an average of 4 kW of heat energy is released.

What to choose

Let's figure out which alternative energy option is better. Solar panels are the most preferred option due to their simplicity and environmental friendliness. However, they do not work at night.

Wind generators are well suited for areas where strong winds constantly blow. They function both day and night, but if the air flow weakens, the efficiency becomes zero. The best option is a combination of these two devices. Then you can be almost 100% sure that you will never be without electricity.

Opt for a biogas plant if you keep cows, pigs or chickens on your farm, or if there is a farm nearby where you can take waste for processing.

And if you need hot water supply and heating, supplement your home system with heat pumps. They do not require maintenance; there is no need to buy and store fuel somewhere, as is the case, for example, with a solid fuel boiler.

Photos of types of alternative energy

Electricity is one of the most important power sources for a private home. Electricity helps in cooking, heating a room, pumping water into it, and simple lighting. It is able to completely replace the gas supply and central water supply. Without electricity, a modern home is not considered comfortable and functional. High-voltage lines reach even the most remote villages and towns, supplying them with electricity. But there are still places where communications are not laid, and their installation will cost a decent amount. In this situation, alternative energy sources will help out. They are environmentally friendly, completely autonomous and financially profitable. The owner of his own source of electrical energy does not depend on planned repairs, breakdowns and rolling blackouts that leave entire villages without electricity. The most common and not entirely familiar non-traditional energy sources are discussed in detail below.

Electric generators

The first and most popular source of energy at home, which is most often found in private homes, is electric generators. Based on the type of fuel used, they are divided into diesel, gasoline and gas.

Diesel generators have many advantages, including efficiency, reliability and low risk of fire. With regular daily use, a diesel generator is much more profitable than models that consume gas or gasoline. The fuel consumption of diesel equipment is not high, the price of fuel is also not high, it does not require expensive repairs and financial investments. The disadvantages of diesel generators are the large amount of gases released during operation, noise and the high price of the device itself. The price of equipment with a power of 5 kW is on average $850.

Gasoline generator - this device is ideal as a backup or seasonal power source. Generators using this type of fuel are small in size, make little noise during operation, and the device itself has a lower price than its diesel counterpart. The average price of a 5 kW gasoline generator is $500. The disadvantages of using a gasoline electric generator are that the noise level, although low, is present; during operation, a large amount of carbon dioxide is released, so the device must be placed in separate rooms with good sound insulation.

Gas electricity generators have proven themselves well in all aspects. They operate on both natural gas and liquefied fuel in cylinders. The noise level of these devices is the lowest, and the service life is very high. The average price for a 5 kW device is $600.

Use of solar energy

Another alternative source of electrical energy is solar energy. It is used not only to generate electrical energy, but also to provide autonomous heating. To obtain electricity from the sun, solar panels of various sizes are installed, which are equipped with a battery and an inverter. Among the advantages of using solar energy sources are:

Ability to renew.
Absolutely silent operation.
Safety for human health and the environment, since the devices used in this technology do not emit any substances into the atmosphere.
Easy to install if you install it yourself.

All these qualities make solar energy sources one of the most popular. But this method of generating electricity also has disadvantages:

For houses with high electricity consumption, the installation of large equipment will be required, which will take up a lot of space in the local area. The station area must be at least 10 m2. That is, this type of energy production is not available to owners of small plots of land.
The second disadvantage is the dependence on daily and seasonal changes in solar radiation.
Third, during operation, these installations do not emit harmful substances, but for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and solar systems that make up the solar battery, highly toxic substances are used that are difficult to dispose of.

The finished station has a price from $3,500 to $7,000. A more affordable way to obtain energy from the sun is through water heating collectors. This equipment captures solar heat even on days when the star is hidden behind clouds. It is used only for heating water, it does not generate electricity. One collector satisfies the daily need for hot water for a family of three. The price varies from $1000 to $4000. This type of equipment has only one drawback, which is also inherent in solar batteries - the inability to function in areas with low solar activity and at night.

Use of wind energy

Installations for converting the energy of air flow into electricity are also no longer considered science fiction and are used everywhere. They work on the principle of wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy from the rotation of the turbine. This energy is collected and converted by an inverter into alternating current. The minimum wind speed at which electricity is generated from the flywheel is 2 m/s. The optimal wind speed is 8 m/s. Based on the type of design, wind energy generators are divided into models with a horizontal rotor and a vertical one.

The horizontal design of the generator has a high efficiency rate; a small amount of materials is used during installation. Disadvantages - a high mast is required for installation, the generator itself has a complex mechanical part, and is not convenient to maintain. Vertical ones are distinguished by a larger range of wind speeds at which they operate. But at the same time, vertical wind generators are not economical, as they require the use of more equipment and materials.

The use of a wind farm is limited by wind indicators for each season. If in the off-season, with increased air activity, the station will be very effective, then on days without wind, electricity will not be generated. To smooth out this difference and power the house uninterruptedly, the wind farm is equipped with a storage battery. This measure helps to accumulate energy in windy weather and use it during calm periods.

An alternative to installing a battery at a wind farm is to convert energy into heat. It is used for both heating and hot water supply. In this design, the battery is replaced by a water storage tank. Using a wind farm in this way can reduce its total cost by 25%. The cost of a wind farm with a battery is on average $10,000, without a battery - $1000-2000.

Among the not-so-pleasant aspects of using a wind farm is the need to build a foundation for the equipment. It is strengthened especially carefully so that during strong winds the mast along with the windmill is not torn out of the ground. The second nuance is the possibility of icing of the blades in winter, this reduces the efficiency of the station. During operation, this equipment generates noise and vibration, which is why it is mounted away from residential buildings.

Use of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is a fairly new source of energy for a private home. In this case, the heat that is generated in the bowels of the planet is used. The Earth's core has a high temperature, which comes to the surface in volcanic areas, sources of water and steam, and is also contained in the deep layers of the planet. Geothermal heat is used as an energy source for current and heat.

The principle of operation of a geothermal energy source in a private house is quite simple - they drill a well into which a heat pump is installed. The installation pumps hot water from the deep layers; when cooled, it generates energy, which is then converted into electricity. During operation, this installation consumes electric current, but for each kW spent it produces 5-6 kW of current. The average installation cost for a 150 m2 home is $30,000. Advantages of use - an inexhaustible source of energy that does not depend on the season, time of day and weather conditions.

Disadvantages of using the Earth's energy - thermal water is often highly mineralized and contains toxic impurities, therefore it cannot be sent to ordinary sewers. The waste water is returned to the deep horizon from which it was pumped. Some scientists believe that this type of energy production leads to an increase in seismic activity in the earth's crust.

Biomass energy use

Many people have already heard about biofuels. A lot of controversy and conflicting reviews flare up around this type of hot dish. As a fuel for cars, it has an attractive price, but its effect on the engine and its power is not fully understood. But combat fuel is used not only as fuel for vehicles, but also as a source of electric current. This fuel replaces gas, gasoline and diesel when refueling equipment for generating electrical energy.

Biofuel is produced by processing various plants. To produce biological diesel, fats from the seeds of oil crops are used, and gasoline is produced by fermentation of corn, sugar cane, beets and other plants. Algae are recognized as the most optimal source of biological energy, as they are unpretentious and easily converted into mass with oily properties similar to oil.

This technology also makes it possible to produce biological gas, which is captured during the fermentation of organic waste from the food industry and livestock. In this case, methane is produced. By capturing the gas in landfills, cellulosic ethanol is produced. 1 ton of useless garbage produces up to 500 m3 of useful gas.

As for the domestic use of biofuels to generate electrical energy, an individual biogas installation is purchased for this purpose. This device produces natural gas from waste. A standard IBGU-1 installation produces from 3 to 12 m3 of gas per day, which is then used to heat the house and refuel various equipment, including a gas power generator. The average cost of a biogas plant is $9,000.

Miniature hydroelectric power station

Another type of alternative energy that is successfully used in private homes is individual hydroelectric power plants. This type of electricity generator is one of the most difficult to install, but its efficiency is significantly higher than that of wind and solar sources. Hydroelectric power stations are constructed with dams and without dams; the second option is the simplest and most accessible. Such installations are also called flow stations. According to their design, they are divided into stations with a wheel, a garland, a Daria rotor and a propeller.

A water wheel station has a central round part with blades, which is mounted perpendicular to the water surface. As the water moves, it presses on the blades and spins the wheel. The principle of operation is the same as in a wind farm, but the source is water. More complex designs of wheeled water power plants are a wheel-turbine, which has special blades for a water jet.

A station with a garland is a cable on which the rotors are rigidly attached. The cable is attached to opposite sides of the water flow, the rotors are immersed in water. When moving, the water rotates the rotors, and they transmit this movement to the cable.
Station with a Darrieus rotor - the design is similar to the previous one, but here the rotor is located vertically and rotates due to different pressure levels in its blades. This indicator is created due to the complex shape of the surface.

Propeller station - an underwater installation with a vertical rotor. Externally, this installation is similar to a windmill with small blades.

Among the presented types of hydroelectric power stations, the garland installation is considered the most inconvenient. It has low productivity, the design itself poses a danger to surrounding people, and installation of the station requires the consumption of a large amount of materials. The Daria rotor is more convenient, since the axis is located vertically and its installation is possible above the water. But it is quite difficult to install such a station and the rotor must be spun up when starting. The best option for making it yourself is a station with a propeller or wheel. The average cost of a 6 kW station is $8,000-10,000.

Natural fuel reserves are not unlimited, and energy prices are constantly rising. Agree, it would be nice to use alternative energy sources instead of traditional ones, so as not to depend on gas and electricity suppliers in your region. But you don't know where to start?

We will help you understand the main sources of renewable energy - in this material we looked at the best eco-technologies. Alternative energy can replace conventional power sources: you can create a very effective installation for producing it with your own hands.

Our article discusses simple methods of assembling a heat pump, wind generator and solar panels, and selects photo illustrations of individual stages of the process. For clarity, the material is provided with videos on the production of environmentally friendly installations.

“Green technologies” will significantly reduce household costs through the use of practically free sources.

Since ancient times, people have used mechanisms and devices in everyday life, the action of which was aimed at converting the forces of nature into mechanical energy. A striking example of this are water mills and windmills.

With the advent of electricity, the presence of a generator made it possible to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

The water mill is the predecessor of the automatic pump, which does not require the presence of a person to perform the work. The wheel rotates spontaneously under the pressure of water and independently draws water

Today, a significant amount of energy is generated precisely by wind complexes and hydroelectric power plants. In addition to wind and water, people have access to such sources as biofuels, the energy of the earth's interior, sunlight, the energy of geysers and volcanoes, and the power of tides.

The following devices are widely used in everyday life to generate renewable energy:

The high cost of both the devices themselves and installation work stops many people from receiving seemingly free energy.

Payback can reach 15-20 years, but this is not a reason to deprive yourself of economic prospects. All these devices can be made and installed independently.

When choosing a source of alternative energy, you need to focus on its availability, then maximum power will be achieved with a minimum of investments

Homemade solar panels

A ready-made solar panel costs a lot of money, so not everyone can afford its purchase and installation. By making the panels yourself, costs can be reduced by 3-4 times.

Before you start building a solar panel, you need to understand how it all works.

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The working principle of a solar power supply system

Understanding the purpose of each element of the system will allow you to imagine its operation as a whole.

The main components of any solar power supply system:

A solar panel. This is a complex of elements connected into a single whole that converts sunlight into a flow of electrons.
Batteries. One will not be enough for a long time, so the system can have up to a dozen such devices. The number of batteries is determined by the power consumed. The number of batteries can be increased in the future by adding the required number of solar panels to the system;
Solar charge controller. This device is necessary to ensure normal charging of the battery. Its main purpose is to prevent the battery from being recharged again.
Inverter. A device required to convert current. The batteries provide low voltage current, and the inverter converts it into the high voltage current required for functionality - output power. For a home, an inverter with an output power of 3-5 kW will be sufficient.

The main feature of solar panels is that they cannot generate high voltage current. A separate element of the system is capable of generating a current of 0.5-0.55 V. One solar battery is capable of producing a current of 18-21 V, which is enough to charge a 12-volt battery.

If it is better to purchase the inverter, batteries and charge controller ready-made, then it is quite possible to make solar panels yourself.

A high-quality controller and correct connection will help maintain the functionality of the batteries and the autonomy of the entire solar station as a whole for as long as possible

Making a solar battery

To make a battery, you need to purchase solar photocells based on mono- or polycrystals. It should be taken into account that the service life of polycrystals is significantly shorter than that of single crystals.

In addition, the efficiency of polycrystals does not exceed 12%, while this figure for single crystals reaches 25%. In order to make one solar panel you need to buy at least 36 such elements.

A solar battery is assembled from modules. Each household module includes 30, 36 or 72 pcs. elements connected in series with a power source with a maximum voltage of about 50 V

Step #1 – assembling the solar panel housing

Work begins with the manufacture of the body; this will require the following materials:

Wooden blocks
Plywood
Plexiglas

It is necessary to cut out the bottom of the case from plywood and insert it into a frame made of 25 mm thick bars. The size of the bottom is determined by the number of solar photocells and their size.

Along the entire perimeter of the frame, holes with a diameter of 8-10 mm must be drilled in bars in increments of 0.15-0.2 m. They are required to prevent the battery cells from overheating during operation.

Correctly made holes with a pitch of 0.15-0.20 m will protect the solar panel elements from overheating and ensure stable operation of the system

Step #2 – connecting solar panel elements

According to the size of the case, it is necessary to cut out the substrate for solar cells from fiberboard using a stationery knife. When installing it, it is also necessary to provide for the presence of ventilation holes, arranged every 5 cm in a square-nested manner. The finished body needs to be painted and dried twice.

Solar cells should be placed upside down on a fiberboard substrate and wired. If the finished products were not already equipped with soldered conductors, then the work is greatly simplified. However, the desoldering process must be performed in any case.

It must be remembered that the connection of elements must be consistent. Initially, the elements should be connected in rows, and only then the finished rows should be combined into a complex by connecting to current-carrying busbars.

Upon completion, the elements must be turned over, laid as expected and fixed in place with silicone.

Each of the elements must be securely fixed to the substrate using tape or silicone; this will avoid unwanted damage in the future.

Then you need to check the output voltage. Approximately, it should be in the range of 18-20 V. Now the battery should be run in for several days, and the charging ability of the batteries should be checked. Only after checking the performance is the joints sealed.

Step #3 - assembling the power supply system

Once you are convinced of its impeccable functionality, you can assemble the power supply system. The input and output contact wires must be brought outside for subsequent connection of the device.

A cover should be cut out of plexiglass and secured with self-tapping screws to the sides of the case through pre-drilled holes.

Instead of solar cells, a diode circuit with D223B diodes can be used to make a battery. A panel of 36 diodes connected in series is capable of delivering 12 V.

The diodes must first be soaked in acetone to remove paint. Holes should be drilled in the plastic panel, diodes should be inserted and wired. The finished panel must be placed in a transparent casing and sealed.

Properly oriented and installed solar panels ensure maximum solar energy efficiency and the system is easy and simple to maintain.

Basic rules for installing a solar panel

The efficiency of the entire system largely depends on the correct installation of the solar battery.

When installing, you need to consider the following important parameters:

Shading. If the battery is located in the shade of trees or taller structures, it will not only not function normally, but may also fail.
Orientation. To maximize sunlight on the photocells, the battery must be directed towards the sun. If you live in the northern hemisphere, then the panel should be oriented to the south, but if you live in the southern hemisphere, then vice versa.
Incline. This parameter is determined by geographic location. Experts recommend installing the panel at an angle equal to the geographic latitude.
Availability. You need to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the front side and remove the layer of dust and dirt in a timely manner. And in winter, the panel must be periodically cleaned of accumulated snow.

It is advisable that when operating the solar panel, the angle of inclination is not constant. The device will work to its maximum only if the sun's rays are directly directed at its cover.

In summer it is better to place it at a slope of 30º to the horizon. In winter, it is recommended to raise it and install it at 70º.

A number of industrial versions of solar panels include devices for tracking the movement of the sun. For domestic use, you can think over and provide stands that allow you to change the angle of the panel

Heat pumps for heating

Heat pumps are one of the most advanced technological solutions available for your home. They are not only the most convenient, but also environmentally friendly.

Their operation will significantly reduce the costs associated with paying for cooling and heating the premises.

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Classification of heat pumps

I classify heat pumps by the number of circuits, the source of energy and the method of obtaining it.

Depending on the final needs, heat pumps can be:

One-, two- or three-circuit;
One- or two-capacitor;
With the possibility of heating or with the possibility of heating and cooling.

Based on the type of energy source and method of obtaining it, the following heat pumps are distinguished:

Soil - water. They are used in temperate climate zones with uniform heating of the earth, regardless of the time of year. For installation, a collector or probe is used, depending on the type of soil. Drilling shallow wells does not require obtaining permits.
. Heat is accumulated from the air and directed to heat water. The installation will be appropriate in climate zones with winter temperatures not lower than -15 degrees.
. Installation is determined by the presence of bodies of water (lakes, rivers, groundwater, wells, settling tanks). The efficiency of such a heat pump is very impressive, which is due to the high temperature of the source during the cold season.
Water is air. In this combination, the same reservoirs act as a heat source, but the heat is transferred directly to the air used to heat the premises through a compressor. In this case, water does not act as a coolant.
Soil is air. In this system, the heat conductor is the soil. Heat from the ground is transferred to the air through the compressor. Non-freezing liquids are used as energy carriers. This system is considered the most universal.
. The operation of this system is similar to the operation of an air conditioner, capable of heating and cooling a room. This system is the cheapest, as it does not require excavation work or laying pipelines.

When choosing the type of heat source, you need to focus on the geology of the site and the possibility of unhindered excavation work, as well as the availability of free space.

If there is a shortage of free space, you will have to abandon heat sources such as earth and water and take heat from the air.

The efficiency of the system and the costs of its installation largely depend on the correct choice of the type of heat pump.

The operating principle of heat pumps is based on the use of the Carnot cycle, which, as a result of sharp compression of the coolant, provides an increase in temperature.

Most climate control devices with compressor units (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner) operate on the same principle, but with the opposite effect.

The main operating cycle, which is implemented in the chambers of these units, has the opposite effect - as a result of a sharp expansion, a narrowing of the refrigerant occurs.

That is why one of the most accessible methods for manufacturing a heat pump is based on the use of individual functional units used in climate control equipment.

So, a household refrigerator can be used to make a heat pump. Its evaporator and condenser will play the role of heat exchangers, removing thermal energy from the environment and directing it directly to heating the coolant that circulates in the heating system.

Low-grade heat from soil, air or water, together with the coolant, enters the evaporator, where it turns into gas, and is then further compressed by the compressor, resulting in the temperature becoming even higher

Assembling a heat pump from scrap materials

Using old household appliances, or rather, their individual components, you can assemble a heat pump yourself. Let's look at how this can be done below.

Step #1 – preparing the compressor and condenser

Work begins with the preparation of the compressor part of the pump, the functions of which will be assigned to the corresponding unit of the air conditioner or refrigerator. This unit must be secured with a soft suspension on one of the walls of the workroom where it will be convenient.

After this, you need to make a capacitor. A 100 liter stainless steel tank is ideal for this. You need to install a coil into it (you can take a ready-made copper tube from an old air conditioner or refrigerator.

The prepared tank must be cut lengthwise into two equal parts using a grinder - this is necessary for installing and securing the coil in the body of the future capacitor.

After installing the coil in one of the halves, both parts of the tank must be connected and welded together so as to form a closed tank.

To make the condenser, a 100-liter stainless steel tank was used; using a grinder, it was cut in half, a coil was installed, and reverse welding was performed.

Please note that when welding you need to use special electrodes, and even better, use argon welding, only it can ensure maximum quality of the seam.

Step #2 - making an evaporator

To make an evaporator, you will need a sealed plastic tank with a volume of 75-80 liters, into which you will need to place a coil made of pipe with a diameter of ¾ inches.

To make a coil, it is enough to wrap a copper tube around a steel pipe with a diameter of 300-400 mm, followed by fixing the turns with a perforated angle

Threads must be cut at the ends of the tube to subsequently ensure connection with the pipeline. Once assembly is complete and the seal has been checked, the evaporator should be secured to the wall of the workroom using brackets of the appropriate size.

It is better to entrust the completion of assembly to a specialist. While some of the assembly can be done yourself, soldering the copper pipes and pumping in the refrigerant should be done by a professional. Assembly of the main part of the pump ends with the connection of heating batteries and a heat exchanger.

It should be noted that this system is low-power. Therefore, it will be better if the heat pump becomes an additional part of the existing heating system.

Step #3 – arrangement and connection of an external device

The best source of heat is water from a well or borehole. It never freezes and even in winter its temperature rarely drops below +12 degrees. It will be necessary to install two such wells.

Water will be drawn from one well and subsequently supplied to the evaporator.

Groundwater energy can be used year-round. Its temperature is not affected by weather conditions and seasons

In principle, the system is ready for operation, but for its complete autonomy it will require an automation system that controls the temperature of the moving coolant in the heating circuits and freon pressure.

At first, you can get by with an ordinary starter, but it should be noted that starting the system after turning off the compressor can be done after 8-10 minutes - this time is necessary to equalize the freon pressure in the system.

Design and use of wind generators

Wind energy was used by our ancestors. Since those distant times, in principle, nothing has changed.

The only difference is that the millstones of the mill are replaced by a generator and a drive, which converts the mechanical energy of the blades into electrical energy.

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Installing a wind generator is considered economically profitable if the average annual wind speed exceeds 6 m/s.

Installation is best done on hills and plains; ideal places are considered to be the coasts of rivers and large bodies of water, away from various utilities.

Wind generators are used to convert the energy of air masses into electricity; they are most productive in coastal regions

Classification of wind generators

The classification of wind generators depends on the following basic parameters:

Depending on the placement of the axis there may be horizontal. The horizontal design provides the ability to auto-rotate the main part to search for wind. The main equipment of a vertical wind generator is located on the ground, so it is easier to maintain, while the efficiency of vertical blades is lower.
Depending on the number of blades, they are distinguished single, double, triple and multi-blade wind generators. Multi-bladed wind generators are used at low air flow speeds and are rarely used due to the need to install a gearbox.
Depending on the material used to make the blades, the blades may be sailing and rigid. Sail-type blades are easy to manufacture and install, but require frequent replacement, as they quickly fail under the influence of sharp gusts of wind.
Depending on the pitch of the screw, there are changeable And fixed steps. When using a variable pitch, it is possible to achieve a significant increase in the range of operating speeds of the wind generator, but this will lead to an inevitable complication of the design and an increase in its weight.

The power of all types of devices that convert wind energy into an electrical analogue depends on the area of the blades.

Wind generators practically do not require classical energy sources to operate. Using an installation with a capacity of about 1 MW will save 92,000 barrels of oil or 29,000 tons of coal over 20 years

Wind generator device

Any wind turbine contains the following basic elements:

Blades rotating under the influence of wind and ensuring the movement of the rotor;
Generator, which produces alternating current;
Blade Controller, is responsible for the formation of alternating current into direct current, which is required for charging batteries;
Rechargeable batteries, are needed for the accumulation and equalization of electrical energy;
Inverter, performs the reverse conversion of direct current into alternating current, from which all household appliances operate;
Mast, is necessary to lift the blades above the ground until the height of movement of air masses is reached.

In this case, the generator and the mast are considered the main parts of the wind generator, and everything else is additional components that ensure reliable and autonomous operation of the system as a whole.

The circuit of any even the simplest wind generator must include an inverter, a charge controller and batteries

Low-speed wind generator from a self-generator

It is believed that this design is the simplest and most accessible for self-production. It can become either an independent source of energy or take over part of the power of the existing power supply system.

If you have a car generator and battery, all other parts can be made from scrap materials.

Step #1 – making a wind wheel

The blades are considered one of the most important parts of a wind generator, since their design determines the operation of the remaining components. A variety of materials can be used to make blades - fabric, plastic, metal and even wood.

We will make blades from sewer plastic pipes. The main advantages of this material are low cost, high moisture resistance, and ease of processing.

The work is performed in the following order:

The length of the blade is calculated, and the diameter of the plastic pipe should be 1/5 of the required footage;
Using a jigsaw, the pipe should be cut lengthwise into 4 parts;
One part will become a template for the manufacture of all subsequent blades;
After cutting the pipe, burrs on the edges must be treated with sandpaper;
The cut blades must be fixed on a pre-prepared aluminum disk with the provided fastening;
Also, after the modification, you need to attach a generator to this disk.

Please note that PVC pipe is not strong enough and will not be able to withstand strong gusts of wind. For the manufacture of blades, it is best to use a PVC pipe with a thickness of at least 4 cm.

The size of the blade plays an important role in the magnitude of the load. Therefore, it would not be amiss to consider the option of reducing the size of the blades by increasing their number.

The wind generator blades are made according to a template from ¼ PVC sewer pipe with a diameter of 200 mm, cut along the axis into 4 parts

After assembly, the wind wheel should be balanced. To do this, you need to mount it horizontally on a tripod indoors. The result of correct assembly will be the immobility of the wheel.

If rotation of the blades occurs, it is necessary to sharpen them with abrasive before balancing the structure.

Step #2 - making a wind generator mast

To make a mast, you can use a steel pipe with a diameter of 150-200 mm. The minimum length of the mast should be 7 m. If there are obstacles to the movement of air masses on the site, then the wind generator wheel must be raised to a height exceeding the obstacle by at least 1 m.

The pegs for securing the guy wires and the mast itself must be concreted. As guy wires, you can use steel or galvanized cable 6-8 mm thick.

Mast braces will give the wind generator additional stability and reduce the costs associated with constructing a massive foundation; their cost is much lower than other types of masts, but additional space is required for bracing

Step #3 – re-equipment of the car generator

The modification consists only of rewinding the stator wire, as well as manufacturing a rotor with neodymium magnets. First you need to drill the holes necessary to fix the magnets in the rotor poles.

The installation of magnets is carried out with alternating poles. Upon completion of the work, the intermagnetic voids must be filled with epoxy resin, and the rotor itself must be wrapped in paper.

When rewinding the coil, you need to take into account that the efficiency of the generator will depend on the number of turns. The coil must be wound in a three-phase circuit in one direction.

The finished generator needs to be tested; the result of correctly performed work will be a reading of 30 V at 300 rpm of the generator.

The converted generator is ready for rated voltage testing before the final installation of the entire low-speed wind turbine system

Step #4 - completing the assembly of the low-speed wind generator

The rotating axis of the generator is made of a pipe with two bearings mounted, and the tail part is cut out of galvanized iron 1.2 mm thick.

Before attaching the generator to the mast, it is necessary to make a frame; a profile pipe is best suited for this. When performing fastening, it is necessary to take into account that the minimum distance from the mast to the blade must be more than 0.25 m.

Under the influence of the wind flow, the blades and rotor move, resulting in rotation of the gearbox and generating electrical energy

To operate the system, you need to install a charge controller, batteries, and an inverter after the wind generator.

The battery capacity is determined by the power of the wind generator. This indicator depends on the size of the wind wheel, the number of blades and wind speed.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Manufacturing of a solar panel with a plastic case, list of materials and work procedure

Operating principle and overview of geothermal pumps

Re-equipment of an autogenerator and making a low-speed wind generator with your own hands

A distinctive feature of alternative energy sources is their environmental friendliness and safety.

The rather low power of the installations and their connection to certain terrain conditions make it possible to effectively operate only combined systems of traditional and alternative sources.

Does your home use alternative energy sources for heat and electricity? Have you assembled a wind generator yourself or made solar panels? Please share your experience in the comments to our article.

Today everyone knows that hydrocarbon reserves on Earth have their limits. Every year it becomes more and more difficult to extract oil and gas from the subsoil. In addition, their burning causes irreparable damage to the ecology of our planet. Despite the fact that renewable energy production technologies are very effective today, states are in no hurry to abandon fuel combustion. At the same time, energy prices are rising every year, forcing ordinary citizens to shell out more and more.

In this regard, the production of alternative energy today is becoming not just an eccentricity of individual amateurs, but a completely utilitarian activity and even necessary in some cases. Hundreds of thousands of owners of country houses, not only in the world, but in our country, today are happy to use “green” technologies for generating electricity. How to produce alternative energy with your own hands: an overview of the best renewable sources of electricity can be seen below.

Sources of renewable energy available for extraction with your own hands

Since ancient times, man has used in his everyday life devices and mechanisms that were capable of converting the movement of natural elements into mechanical energy. Examples include windmills and watermills. With the invention of electricity, it became possible to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by installing a generator on the moving parts of the mechanism. Over time, these designs were improved, and today hydroelectric power plants and wind farms generate large amounts of electricity around the world.

In addition to water and wind, humanity has access to sunlight, energy from the earth's interior, and biological fuel. In this regard, the following devices are used in everyday life to generate renewable energy:

Batteries for solar energy.
Heat pumping stations.
Wind generators.
Installations using biogas fuel.

The industry is well aware of people's wishes and is already producing many models of each of these devices. However, their prices today are such that a quick payback is out of the question. In this regard, craftsmen from among the people have developed many schemes and projects according to which such units can be manufactured. Let's look at some of them.

Solar panels are a gift from space technology

Solar cells gained popularity at the beginning of the space age. They are still used today as energy sources for spaceships and interplanetary stations. The devices plowing the sands of Mars are equipped with these simple devices. The Sun itself gives them its energy. The principle of operation of solar panels is based on the ability of photons, when passing through a semiconductor layer, to create a potential difference in it, which, when closed in an electrical circuit, creates an electric current.

Surprisingly, making your own solar panel is not that difficult. There are two ways to create it. The first method is simple, and anyone can do it. You just need to purchase ready-made solar cells based on polycrystals or single crystals, connect them into one circuit and cover them with a transparent case. These crystals are capable of capturing photons of light from the Sun and converting them into electricity. They are very fragile, so during the manufacturing process of the device, precautions must be taken. Each element is marked, so its current-voltage characteristics are known. It is only necessary to collect the required number of elements to build a battery of the required power. For this:

A transparent frame is made of plastic, plexiglass or polycarbonate.
A body is cut out of plywood or plastic to the size of this frame.
All crystalline elements are sequentially soldered into a circuit. Only with a series connection is an increase in voltage in the circuit achieved. It is simply summed from all elements.
Photocells are placed in the frame and carefully closed, not forgetting to bring the wires out.

When choosing solar cells, you need to take into account that single crystals are more durable and efficient (efficiency 13%), while polycrystals often break and are less efficient (efficiency 9%). In this case, the former require constant open sunlight, while the latter are content with cloudier weather. The finished panel is most often installed on the roof or on a sunlit area. The angle of inclination must be adjusted, since in winter it is better to install the panel vertically to avoid falling asleep with snow.

The second method of making solar panels is much more complicated. Some electrical skills are already required here. Instead of ready-made elements, you need to make a diode circuit. To do this, you need to purchase or collect diodes from old equipment. D223B is best suited for this purpose. They have a high voltage of 350mV in direct sunlight. That is, to generate 1V you will need only 3 such diodes. 36 diodes can create a voltage of 12V. The quantity is significant, but their cost is small, about 130 rubles per hundred, so the main problem is the installation time.

The diodes are soaked in acetone, after which the paint is removed from them. Then the required number of holes are drilled in the plastic blank and diodes are inserted into them. Soldering is done sequentially in rows. The finished panel is covered with transparent material and placed in a casing.

As you can see, using the free energy of the Sun is not so difficult. It is enough to devote a little effort and money.

Heat pumps create heat from everything

The principle of their operation is based on Carnot cycles. In simpler terms, this is a large refrigerator that, when cooling the environment, takes low-potential energy from it and converts it into high-potential heat. The environment can be anything: land, water, air. At any time of the year they contain a small amount of heat. The device is quite complex and consists of several main components:

External circuit filled with natural coolant.
Internal circuit with water.
Evaporator.
Compressor.
Capacitor.

The system, like the refrigerator, uses freon. The external circuit can be placed in a water well or in an open reservoir. Sometimes they even simply bury this circuit in the ground, but this requires a lot of expense.

Let's look at the process of making a heat pump yourself. The first thing you need to do is get a compressor. You can remove it from the air conditioner. A heating power of 9.7 kW will be enough.

The second important part is the capacitor. It can be made from a regular 120 liter tank. The main thing is that it is not susceptible to corrosion. The tank is cut into two parts and a copper coil is inserted inside. Two-inch connections are attached to the coil outlets for mounting the circuit. The tank is welded using a welding machine. The area of the coil must be calculated in advance using the formula: PZ = MT/0.8RT, where: PZ is the area of the coil; MT - Thermal energy power produced by the system, kW; 0.8 - thermal conductivity coefficient when water flows around copper; RT is the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures in degrees Celsius. The coil can be made independently by winding the pipe onto any cylinder. Freon will circulate inside it, and water from the heating system will circulate in the tank. It will heat up when freon condenses.

To make an evaporator, you will need a plastic container with a volume of at least 130 liters. The neck of this tank should be wide. A coil is also placed in it, which will be connected to the previous one into a single circuit through a compressor. The outlet and inlet of the evaporator is made using a regular sewer pipe. Water from a reservoir or well will flow through it, which has sufficient energy to evaporate freon.

This system works as follows: the evaporator is placed in a reservoir or well. Water, going around it, causes the evaporation of the refrigerant, which rises through the pipes from the evaporator to the condenser. There it condenses, giving off heat to the water surrounding the coil. This water circulates through the heating pipes using a centrifugal pump, heating the room. The refrigerant is sent back to the evaporator by the compressor, and the cycle repeats again and again.

The unit we reviewed is capable of heating a room of 60 m2 at any time of the year. In this case, energy is taken from the environment.

Descendants of windmills producing kilowatts

There is nothing complicated about the design of wind turbines. It’s not for nothing that our ancestors used wind energy so routinely. Fundamentally nothing has changed. Simply, instead of the millstones of the mill, a drive was installed on a generator, which converts the rotational energy of the blades into electricity.

To make a wind generator you will need: a high tower, blades, a generator and a storage battery. We also need to come up with a simple system for controlling and distributing electricity. Let's consider one of the ways to build a windmill yourself.
Let's not focus on the design of the tower and blades; there is nothing complicated here for someone who knows at least something about mechanics. Let's focus on the generator. You can, of course, purchase a ready-made generator with the necessary parameters, but our task is to create a windmill ourselves. If you have a motor from an old washing machine and it works, then the matter is solved. We will need to convert it into a generator. To do this, we will purchase neodymium magnets.

We bore the generator rotor on a lathe, making recesses for the magnets. We glue magnets into them with superglue. We wrap the rotor in paper and fill the space between the magnets with epoxy resin. When it dries, remove the paper and sand the rotor with sandpaper. Attention! To prevent the magnets from sticking, they need to be installed at a slight angle. Now, when the rotor rotates, the magnets will form a potential difference, which is removed using terminals.

Biogas generator creates energy from waste

Man, in the course of his life, produces a huge amount of organic waste. This is especially true near large cities or livestock farms. If these wastes are placed in an anaerobic environment, the process of their decomposition begins, releasing a mixture of flammable gases: methane, hydrogen sulfide with carbon dioxide impurities. All of them, except the last one, are excellent fuel, although they have an unpleasant odor.

In order to make a biofuel generator, you will need a hermetically sealed tank. It contains an auger with which the waste will be periodically mixed, a pipe through which the waste will be unloaded and a neck for loading it. In addition, a pipe is welded into the upper part of the tank to collect the released biogas and discharge it to the consumer.

It is best to bury this structure in the ground and make it absolutely airtight. This will facilitate efficient gas extraction without leakage. Since the container is sealed, the gas flow must be constant, otherwise it is recommended to make a safety valve that will open when the permissible pressure is exceeded. Recycled waste is an excellent fertilizer for the garden.

The simplest design of this installation allows it to be created from almost any available materials. This is very common in China. However, it is worth observing safety precautions, since biogas is very flammable and toxic. Most biogas is produced from a mixture of animal waste and silage. Warm water is poured into the tank, which starts the process of decomposition of the substrate.
A review of the best renewable sources of electricity showed that DIY alternative energy is not such an oddity. It can be obtained literally from nothing and in sufficient quantities for household consumption.