07-14-2008, 03:11 AM
A couple of thoughts here this morning, I hope I'm being constructive. If anybody thinks I'm being a meddlesome preachy ass, I rather hear about it than make people seethe.
Anyhow. . .an observation.
For example: the topic on solar hot water heaters. They work, mostly. They work best in hot weather, when I like to take a cool shower. They work poorly, if at all, in weather when it's cold out, and I've spent a day slopping around in the mud in 50 degree weather, and I'd like to take a nice long hot shower.
We are getting some blanket recommendations about the value of solar hot water heaters. Some people think they will work in Puna. Let me point out in Puna you have a very wide range of climates, temperatures, home sites and altitudes. Something that may work in HPP may not work in Volcano. I know and understand everyone is trying to help, and that's commendable, but some of it is dangerously close to leading others down a primrose path, and we should be cautious.
Appropriate technologies for appropriate applications. As I tried to point out, people are interested in these sorts of things not so much because of principle or "wanting to be cool and green" or whatever, but out of pure economic reasons. From that point of view, stuff must make sense--measurable dollar and cents sense. That has been my point behind PV systems, this issue, and others.
Something we ought to all look into more closely: Biomass systems. Hawaii has bio-mass a plenty. 20 lbs of mostly dry wood has the btu content of a gallon of gasoline. The technology of using biomass systems is ancient and at a high level of refinement. For some, wood fired hot water heaters would make MUCH more sense than solar, can be purchased turn-key, and work. Wood cooking stoves, especially gasification systems, are very very efficient as well.
Another aspect of biomass as fuel is that it provides an immediate source of income: the fuel wood itself requires collection, and most anyone can pick up sticks. At .25 cents a pound it can pay, becomes a valuable source of income for those who may have no other options. The s. guava is a near perfect fuel wood for such systems, burns clean, almost smokeless and ashless. Imagine providing an income, eliminating invasive plants, and heating your hot water all in one fell swoop? Imagine having people show up at your gate asking if they can cut your guava down? Just thoughts of a technology that ought get more discussion.
Anyway.
Anyhow. . .an observation.
For example: the topic on solar hot water heaters. They work, mostly. They work best in hot weather, when I like to take a cool shower. They work poorly, if at all, in weather when it's cold out, and I've spent a day slopping around in the mud in 50 degree weather, and I'd like to take a nice long hot shower.
We are getting some blanket recommendations about the value of solar hot water heaters. Some people think they will work in Puna. Let me point out in Puna you have a very wide range of climates, temperatures, home sites and altitudes. Something that may work in HPP may not work in Volcano. I know and understand everyone is trying to help, and that's commendable, but some of it is dangerously close to leading others down a primrose path, and we should be cautious.
Appropriate technologies for appropriate applications. As I tried to point out, people are interested in these sorts of things not so much because of principle or "wanting to be cool and green" or whatever, but out of pure economic reasons. From that point of view, stuff must make sense--measurable dollar and cents sense. That has been my point behind PV systems, this issue, and others.
Something we ought to all look into more closely: Biomass systems. Hawaii has bio-mass a plenty. 20 lbs of mostly dry wood has the btu content of a gallon of gasoline. The technology of using biomass systems is ancient and at a high level of refinement. For some, wood fired hot water heaters would make MUCH more sense than solar, can be purchased turn-key, and work. Wood cooking stoves, especially gasification systems, are very very efficient as well.
Another aspect of biomass as fuel is that it provides an immediate source of income: the fuel wood itself requires collection, and most anyone can pick up sticks. At .25 cents a pound it can pay, becomes a valuable source of income for those who may have no other options. The s. guava is a near perfect fuel wood for such systems, burns clean, almost smokeless and ashless. Imagine providing an income, eliminating invasive plants, and heating your hot water all in one fell swoop? Imagine having people show up at your gate asking if they can cut your guava down? Just thoughts of a technology that ought get more discussion.
Anyway.