If you had $1000 to build a generator

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and considerations of building a generator using renewable energy sources with a budget of $1000. Participants explore various energy types, their availability, and practicality in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest considering the local availability of energy sources such as solar, wind, and biogas.
  • One participant proposes a methane digester as a potentially reliable option due to its lower intermittency compared to other sources.
  • Another participant questions the practicality of using biogas, humorously noting the discomfort of transporting it.
  • Concerns are raised about the limited budget, with one participant noting that $1000 may only cover a small solar panel in the UK.
  • There is a suggestion that hydroelectric energy could be a viable option if proximity to water is available, as it may also be less intermittent.
  • One participant proposes a dual fuel generator that could run on gasoline, propane, or methane, emphasizing the need for caution regarding the quality of swamp gas.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about developing a complete digester system or hydro setup within the budget.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best renewable energy source to pursue, with no consensus reached on a single approach. Various models and ideas are presented, highlighting the complexity of the decision based on local conditions and budget constraints.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the effectiveness of each proposed solution may depend on local environmental factors, availability of resources, and specific project requirements. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about costs and feasibility that remain unresolved.

salzrah
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...build a generator that uses renewable energy, what type of energy would you invest in?
 
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What do you have the most of where you live, sun, wind, or spare vegetation?
 


Equal amounts of all of them, relatively speaking.
There is not one that is more apparent than the other.
Or put in a better way - you could take the generator anywhere you want that inhabits people, except for "extreme" locations.
 


In that case, I suppose the best bet is a methane digester because it would be the least intermittent.
 


Biogas? Walking with that tube must be quite uncomfortable.
 


$1000 isn't that much. A quick google tells me I'd be lucky to get a 1kw solar panel in the UK with that.
 


Ryan_m_b said:
$1000 isn't that much. A quick google tells me I'd be lucky to get a 1kw solar panel in the UK with that.

Yes it's not a lot, but solar panels are very expensive.

zoobyshoe said:
In that case, I suppose the best bet is a methane digester because it would be the least intermittent.

Wouldn't hydroelectric energy also be much easier to develop and not intermittent if near a body of water.
 
Pretty open ended question a REAL answer would be influenced by many factors, As stated - I would go solar with battery storage, low maintenance simple device - etc. Then just use the DC and/or small inverter to power AC items directly.

Developing a complete digester system or hydro for $1000 - would be a challenge.
 
I could do it for that cost. I'd wait until hurricane season is over, and buy a generator cheap on eBay. New never used, unless we actually get hit by a hurricane. Look for a dual fuel model, using gasoline or propane. Then change out the propane orifice out to burn methane. Put an alcohol kit into it. Now you can run on either alcohol or methane. But be careful of the swamp gas. It has lots of stuff in it that are not good for the engine.
 

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