Electricity
Last Updated 2/10/2003
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Overview
Until I started thinking about the electrical energy I was consuming, I was becoming more and more dependant on electrical energy. It turns out that with some basic changes to my activity schedule and a few other small changes, it was possible to eliminate 75% of the amount of electrical energy I needed.
Electrical Energy Requirements (or as an Excel file) - This is an itemized list of electrical energy consumed by everything in my apartment
Generation
Generator - Information on choosing a generator, Review of my Honda EU2000i, etc.
Solar - Electricity and Water Heating
Wind - Under Construction
Gravity and Hydro-Electric - Under Construction
Human-Powered Generators - Under Construction
Fuel Cells - The Ultimate in quiet power generation - Under Construction
Energy Storage Devices
Power Distribution
The Emergency Power Distribution System - power distribution for those of us who rent
Wires, Extension Cords and other Transmission Lines - Why extension cords suck and what you can do about it
Conversion
Inverters and Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Energy Efficient Electrical Devices
Modular power systems, Intelligent Loads and Power Supplies - Under Construction
Conclusion
Electrical energy obtained from generators is a lot less efficient than when the generator fuel is used directly. It requires two conversions to convert the fuel to a usable form. Therefore consumption of electricity should be avoided wherever it's possible to use the fuel another way.