| Is it possible to build a small scale electric plant?

Is it possible to build a small scale electric plant?

D A asked:


I have been wanting to get my home off the grid. My property is only 3/4 an acre so I can’t go too high for wind. Solar is too pricey for me now.
What about a coal stove in my backyard set up to a water tank type system with alternators stun by the steam in the pipes?
If this is possible does anybody know of a “cookbook” for this type of design?
See I was thinking a much smaller scale. using a 100,000 btu coal stove, generally the size you would use to heat your house with a 75 gallon water tank on top of it with pipes extending upwards with impellars inside that will spin the alternators. Over 10 years I’m looking at paying the power company over $50,000.

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5 Responses to “Is it possible to build a small scale electric plant?”

  1. Yvonne B on June 10th, 2009 1:37 am

    look up Tom’s natural deodorant they know of a place you can do that

  2. Letao12 on June 12th, 2009 2:04 pm

    You might want to reconsider that. Generating your own electricity with fuel will cost you MUCH (say, at least 100 times) more than buying it from the grid, not to mention all the effort that you’ll have to put in to keep it running. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are having serious trouble with the existing system.

  3. Philip H on June 14th, 2009 3:54 am

    (FYI) Toshiba is working on a nuclear power plant that is about 8 cu. mtrs. and will produce 10 megawatts of power for 30 years without refueling and reportedly needs no maintenance. Ine cost over the life of the unit will be about 20 centsa peer kilowatt hour. (cheeper than a gasoline powered plant.)
    Too big for your application. It would run a small town.

  4. wingsdjf on June 15th, 2009 11:43 pm

    I hate to discourage you, but small scale plants are tough to make efficient. If you have to buy the coal, it will cost too much. I’ve never seen designs for small plants like this, but it’s an interesting idea. Say you use wood in a good stove that burns cleanly… Or a clever way to use low grade heat, like from solar heaters… From all the interest folks have, I think there is a market here, at least for peaking power, for well designed (i.e. cost effective) electrical power generation.

    I suggest you audit your house to see how you are using the power. How about insulating the house. Timers on electronics to reduce power. Shade trees to lower heating bills. Consider sealing and shuttering windows on the North side, maybe an atrium on the South side to help heat in the winter. Maybe solar water heaters on roof you can build yourself, separated from roof by air space for natural convection to cool down roof in summer. Attic ventilation to assist in cooling house.

    Conservation and modest, common sense conservation measures are the best way to save money. Going into competition with the power company will be tough going.

  5. San Pedro Pastoral Region » Chestnut Street-Grand Trunk Railroad on July 10th, 2009 4:51 am

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