My Energy Independence Project

[Norwegian Wood]

I am in the process of building & installing an evacuated tube solar hot water maker, a solar hot water tank with electric backup, a 1000 gallon unpressurized water storage tank with copper heat exchangers, and an EKO 40 wood gasification boiler. I am also incorporating a heat dump from Northeastern Radiant that will heat a 60' coil for preheating DHW as well as dump the excess heat from the solar tubes.
I have decided to photograph the project & post it here:

(broken link removed to https://picasaweb.google.com/bobbybandjillian/EnergyIndependenceProject?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyQ5JLYlP63EA)

I would welcome your thoughts, input, critiques, and comments as this project unfolds.
My goal is to have this up & running by September of this year.
I will continue to post photos as I progress.
Thanks in advance.

 

[henfruit]

Wow, great work.

 

[BoilerMan]

Looks great! Whats up with the safe?

TS

 

[Norwegian Wood]

It's to keep important things safe.

 

[SmokeEater]

I am in the process of building & installing an evacuated tube solar hot water maker, a solar hot water tank with electric backup, a 1000 gallon unpressurized water storage tank with copper heat exchangers, and an EKO 40 wood gasification boiler. I am also incorporating a heat dump from Northeastern Radiant that will heat a 60' coil for preheating DHW as well as dump the excess heat from the solar tubes.
I have decided to photograph the project & post it here:

(broken link removed to https://picasaweb.google.com/bobbybandjillian/EnergyIndependenceProject?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyQ5JLYlP63EA)

I would welcome your thoughts, input, critiques, and comments as this project unfolds.
My goal is to have this up & running by September of this year.
I will continue to post photos as I progress.
Thanks in advance.

Inquiring mind want to know if you considered electric generation and storage with wind, hydro, or solar?? That would be a nice step toward your ultimate goal here.

 

[Norwegian Wood]

Unfortunately my location is unsuitable for wind or hydro. The cost of PV solar is still too high, and would be something like a 10 year payback. I do have a 14Kw diesel generator for backup, and can run for 2 months off my 330 gallon #2 tank in the event of a grid failure.

 

[SmokeEater]

I have seen an interesting set up whereby a small and easily rebuildable diesel ran a 15kW generator and the cooling water ran through an HX, the exhaust heat was captured and the engine was in the basement in an insulated box. All of the recovered heat was used to preheat (heat) water and the hot water pumped through heating zones and the diesel's electric output used for and electric needs.