Had a chance to go to a conference this year that opened a conversation about energy conservation and many experts said that the future of energy conservation was actually in personal energy development. That blew me away! To tell the truth, I had no idea that affordable home energy opportunities were that close at hand. After hearing about thermowells, new solar capturing devices, and home size wind generators I was convinced that the next home I owned would be outfitted with as many energy supplying elements as I could manage.
Since then I have been keeping my eye on several sites to see what new technologies and specifically, products are coming out that might fit my needs in the next home. This product, the Skystream 3.7 is a renewable, wind generator designed for residential homes. This machine can actually spin your meter backwards in a good wind. That means you , not only don't spend as much with your local utility, but "in theory" could get paid by a utility company.
Standing 40 - 50 feet tall it requires a .5 acre of open space for wind, and costs $5,400. Makes me want to move today.
So we've got a HUGE freaking windmill (that may or may not be acceptable based on several factors) and probably would be great in Florida until it became a giant ninja throwing star in the hurricane force wind.
What we haven't covered is the ready ability of solar panels to harvest new micro-technology and become truly viable. Not near as much pain to install...not nearly the intrusion to your property...and the sun is pretty consistently UP during daylight hours. Matter of fact, UV rays are present even when visible rays are obscured by clouds...why not use those too?
I'm an idea man...why not feed mayonnaise to the tuna fish?
Posted by: Shadow | 04/30/2007 at 10:39 PM
I, as Mr Orange have almost come to the point of changing my name to Mr Green. This kind of thing may have been a crazy idea in the 70's but I have been seeing things here in Dallas that have made me think that the whole world is going Pro Green. I don't know where the Green Wave started or who to blame. (Gore maybe)But what I do now know is that eveyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, is aware and wants to do something that makes them feel better about what is happening to our planet. I have been in BIG DOG oil & gas and real estate developers meetings and even they are feeling huge pressure to make green happen and their bottom line is being affected.Green is here to stay, in our homes and in the biggest of cities.
Mr Orange/Green
Posted by: Mr Orange | 04/30/2007 at 05:04 PM
I, as Mr Orange have almost come to the point of changing my name to Mr Green. This kind of thing may have been a crazy idea in the 70's but I have been seeing things here in Dallas that have made me think that the whole world is going Pro Green. I don't know where the Green Wave started or who to blame. (Gore maybe)But what I do now know is that eveyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, is aware and wants to do something that makes them feel better about what is happening to our planet. I have been in BIG DOG oil & gas and real estate developers meetings and even they are feeling huge pressure to make green happen and their bottom line is being affected.Green is here to stay, in our homes and in the biggest of cities.
Mr Orange/Green
Posted by: Mr Orange | 04/30/2007 at 05:04 PM
great points shadow...in my reading on this topic I discovered that i have no idea how the city i live in would view this type of device.
many questions, and one looming issue...power is only increasing, and not getting cheaper (right now)
Posted by: a.brain | 04/30/2007 at 03:28 PM
Interesting on several facets:
1. Seems like a plausible attempt to normalize 'green' systems on a large/affordable scale (viable company and less than $6k to get in the door)
2. Seems like most folks who attempt this may want to investigate all aspects fully ... Community restrictions, local weather patterns, thunderstorms, hurricanes, local government permits and how many Christmas lights it'll take to make that thing look like a Christmas tree with a HUGE rotating star at the top.
I bet they'd really catch on if a neighborhood combined and got several (even one per yard). That would help create a wind-field (almost like those in Western NV and California).
I recently read that US demand for electricity is steadily growing at double digit rates and capacity is maxed out at 6% per year growth...so, looks like we'll all need one of these and some nice prevailing winds in about a decade.
Posted by: Shadow | 04/29/2007 at 10:14 PM
good answer tom...I could care less if someone wants to make money and the world benefits as well - why would we complain?
Posted by: a.brain | 04/25/2007 at 01:57 PM
Well, it would appear that someone is a little "green" with eny regarding this otherwise very logical sounding product. Let it go Dee.
Posted by: tom delong | 04/23/2007 at 10:30 PM
Love the fact that companies could care less about the environment, and just see a way to make a few bucks. That's thinking about the planet in a positive, selfless manner.
Posted by: Darling Dee | 04/23/2007 at 06:35 PM