LIVING OFF THE GRID

Living off the grid. Net-Energy Backup 4400, Watt Hours 9,600 +, Inverter Output 4,400 watts, Volts 48. Follow these steps to get a better idea on how to modify your battery bank or how to select other types of batteries for your bank. Each step has its own link for product description and easy selection to make modification as needed. We already know that the output power is 4,400 watts and the bank should be 48 volts. Selecting the batteries will determine the watt hours for the battery bank. Just keep in mind that volts x amps= watts. 1000 watts = 1 kilowatt. For this project we are going to start with a Pre-Wired Magnum Power Panel. This will make the installation super simple as 1, 2, 3.

1 - Pre-Wired System: Magnum inverters are installed on the MidNite MNE250(175)STM-L gray steel E-Panel with an ME-RC50 remote display, a BMK-NS, 1 MNEPV2 breaker for BMK, a MidNite Classic 150 charge controller with built in DC-GFP and Arc Fault detector, an MNDC array breaker, an MNDC charge control breaker, two or three MNSPD surge arrestors, and battery temperature sensors. The MidNite MND3RACCPLME is a Magnum battery-based inverter system, made for AC coupling to a grid-tie inverter, in an outdoor enclosure with room for batteries, which will be listed below. It has 120/240 VAC output, and is fully assembled and tested. Includes a Magnum MS4024 PAE inverter, Magnum RTR router, MidNite E-Panel, two SPD surge arrestors, and GT inverter circuit relay. This is all installed inside a MidNite MNBE-D3R battery enclosure which, in this configuration, can hold four Group 31 or GC2 or GC2 tall batteries (batteries should be selected by the customer according to your budget). The maximum size grid-tie inverter that can be installed with this system is 3.6 kW. 49″H x 39″W x 21″D. The dimensions and weights are approximate and do not include crating. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/midnite-solar/

2 - Battery Enclosure: Choose the proper sized Battery Enclosures for the size and number of batteries that you need. Use multiple Battery Enclosures , side-by-side, for larger banks. They are designed to use with sealed batteries. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-enclosures/

3 - East Penn-MK Battery: (8 Batteries of 12 V each) four and four to make a 48 volt bank. Select the perfect battery for your application, in terms of amp hour and budget. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/east-penn-mk-battery/

To properly design a battery bank and start living off the grid, you need to account for the storage capacity required, the maximum discharge rate (the sum of all the loads which might be run simultaneously), the maximum charge rate (the current output from the solar array or wind turbine though the charge controller), and the minimum ambient temperature at which the batteries will be used. Whichever of these factors requires the largest capacity will dictate the size of the battery bank. The storage of a battery, the amount of electrical energy it can hold, is usually expressed in amp-hours (Ah). Using one amp for 100 hours means 100 Ah have been used. A battery bank in a PV power system should have sufficient capacity to supply needed power during the longest expected period of cloudy weather when the solar array cannot keep up. If there is a source of on-demand backup power, such as standby generator with a battery charger, the battery bank does not have to be sized for worst-case conditions. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-bank-information/

4 - Why to use Larger Cable? Battery Cables: Low-Voltage power systems with inverters can have very high current through the cables that connect the inverter to the batteries. Large AC loads like microwave ovens, toasters, irons, and washers can cause an inverter operating on a 12 VDC battery system to draw over 100 A. Large motors may draw 300 to 500 A during start-up. When cables between batteries, and from the battery bank to the inverter, are too small, the current available to the inverter is limited and it may fail to supply larger loads. Properly sized cables also impose less resistance and thereby help maximize system efficiency. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/battery-cables/

Living off the grid Added components: The Router ME-RTR provides parallel capability for the MS-PAE Series inverters and includes many of the same features as the ME-ARC advanced remote control. The router is designed with a user-friendly LCD display and rotary SELECT knob that allows all connected MS-PAE (or MS-PE) Series inverter/chargers to be programmed in sync without the need to program each inverter separately. The router will accommodate up to four MS-PAE inverter/chargers in parallel plus accessories. For owner's manual: http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/router-me-rtr/

Magnum MS4024 PAE inverter: No series stacking required: The unique design of the MS-PAE Series can provide 120 and 240 volts output in one unit, eliminating the need to stack two units together to get 240 volts. Read the manual: http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/ms-pae-series-inverter-charger/

Parallel stacking: You can parallel up to four inverter / chargers for up to 17.6kw of power at 120/240V. The MP panels and router are required for parallel stacking the MS-PAE Series. Power Factor Corrected (PFC) Charger: Our PFC charger is built into all of our inverter chargers. It uses less energy from a generator than a standard charger – using 25-30% less AC current than standard chargers. http://www.mechanicalenergyfactory.com/ms-pae-series-inverter-charger/

Living off the grid Additional features:

• System Monitor Gives Instant Status and "Percent of Full" Battery Info
• AC and DC Input Breakers
• Inverter Bypass Switch Allows Choice of Generator / Grid or Inverter Output
• Easy to Connect Color Coded Buss Bars for AC and DC Connections
• Multiple Available Knockouts for Conduit Attachments
• Single System Grounding Point
• Fully Assembled and Tested by Experienced Factory Trained Technicians
• All Required Internal Cables and Connectors

*** Living off the grid battery bank can be charged by using solar modules, wind power, hydro-power, generators and/or grid power. If you are looking for a perfect system generator to power your home or office, or even start a shop to build battery banks for your area, this is a practical and easy way to start. Keep in mind that you can also stack battery banks enclosures for larger applications.

So basically, you can really do almost anything you want when it comes to building a battery bank. It is recommended to start with a pre-wired system to reduce installation time.

All living off the grid pre-wired systems listed on our site are fully tested before they leave the shop. So you already know that you are receiving a fully tested working product that you can pass on to your customers knowing that it will power their home or office for years to come.

By following these same steps you can build several battery banks and provide your services where and when is needed. You control the budget. It's important to select the right type of battery for each project. The main key I already told you, and that is to start with a pre-wired system unless you are familiar with the installation process. Now is time to start building your battery banks.

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Will Lithium Ion Work for Grid-Scale Storage?

Your Place For Renewable Energy Products: www.Net-Energy.us

Lithium batteries have revolutionized consumer electronics and made EVs a mainstream reality.

But will they play a similar role in energy storage? That was one of the most prominent questions at Energy Storage North America, the second annual conference taking place this week in San Jose.

“Lithium ion was not fundamentally designed for grid scale storage,” said Andrew Chung, a partner at Khosla Ventures, during a panel at the conference. “Even with the Gigafactory, the cost won’t come down enough.”

Chung’s skepticism essentially revolved around the three complaints most often associated with lithium batteries: they cost too much, they can become a safety hazard and they have a limited lifespan. Utilities and commercial building owners want something that will last twenty years flawlessly.

One of the key problems with lithium ion cells is the liquid-solid interface that exists between the electrolyte and the cathode. Ambri, one of his portfolio companies, is trying to get around this problem with an all liquid batteries. Other companies are trying to commercialize solid electrolytes.

Lithium ion will play a major role over the next two years because it is the only rechargeable battery appropriate for grid-scale and commercial-scale deployment, but after that new chemistries will have to be developed.

Naturally, lithium ion manufacturers differed. “Lithium ion can be a 20 year asset,” said Bud Collins, CEO of NEC Energy Solutions. A lithium ion battery for cell phones might be designed for 500 charge cycles, but you can design long-lasting cells and supplement their performance and operation with advanced analytics so that they last 20,000 cycles, he said.

Other audience members also noted that “lithium ion” covers a lot of different chemistries. Lithium cobalt batteries are the ones subject to thermal runaway reactions. Lithium phosphate batteries don’t have that problem.

Then again, after the panel flow battery execs noted that lithium ion batteries are still cells. They are small. Something like a flow battery or a sodium sulfur battery is better designed for bulk storage or grid applications.

How will it work out? Chung has a great point: lithium ion weren’t designed for utility applications and they are expensive. However, the world has waited for years for an alternative — zinc, etc. — and nothing has come close to matching lithium ion. Ten years ago, a Sony product manager warned me that lithium ion was hitting its limit: if companies kept pushing it, we’d see failures and explosions in 2006. He was right on target, but we still don’t have the great alternatives.

"No one battery is perfect," said John Jung, CEO of Greensmith, which produces software for managing energy storage systems, among others. Expect a variety. Even a Tesla exec told me they will examine all sorts of different technologies.

Other interesting tidbits from the conference:

PG&E had some good news, and bad news about the future of storage. It has been using a 2-megawatt storage system to provide frequency regulation and then tracks the revenue and costs it incurs in selling power as well as performing frequency regulation. The system runs about six hours a day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It basically breaks even. In September, the system generated a whopping $318.

So the good news? It is an indication that storage for smoothing renewables can be installed that effectively pays for itself. Solar critics have sometimes tried to add the cost of natural gas generators to the cost of solar systems to “prove” that solar is uneconomical. These results show you can have grid smoothing that doesn’t add to the cost of renewables.

Four hours. That is the number everyone is shooting for. If your storage system can provide four hours of service, you can compete for a wide range of contracts.
Policy is important but storage in many markets will stand on its own. 1.3 billion people are still not connected to the grid. China is choking in emissions. Storage systems that can somewhat economically bring the benefits of electrification to the still developing regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America will do well.
Versatility. Virtually every vendor talked about how their storage system could be used for a variety of applications and functions. It’s firming solar power one moment, and providing demand response services the next. In theory, this sounds easy, but one of the big differences between the winners and the also-rans will be an ability to actually provide this sort of versatility.

Your Place For Renewable Energy Products: www.Net-Energy.us

Thomas Edison v Nikola Tesla

Who was the better inventor, Thomas Edison or Nikola Tesla, and Why?

The better inventor was, hands down, Edison. He had so many patents and inventions.

Our best hope for induction and wireless charging is Nikola Tesla. And I hope that'll be the wave of the future.

Some are in Edison's team, others are in Nikola Tesla's... Voice your opinion here!

Tell us what you think?

Write your comments below!

Your Place For Renewable Energy Products: www.Net-Energy.us

Find a Clean Energy Job

Your Place for Renewable Energy Products: Find a Clean Energy Job

A large part of EERE technology deployment depends on the U.S.'s ability to innovate, produce, install, maintain, and service advanced energy technologies. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) education and workforce development activities support the market deployment of EERE technologies by focusing on further development and enhancement of these critical workforce skills as well as engaging and inspiring the future workforce.

FIND A CLEAN ENERGY JOB

Interested in building energy efficient homes, installing solar technologies, or working as a wind turbine engineer? Check out the current jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as specific jobs at the Department of Energy.

MAP A CAREER IN SOLAR OR WIND

 

Our solar and wind career maps the expanding universe of solar-energy and wind-energy occupations. Find out the jobs, career pathways and the high-quality training necessary to do them well.

TEACH

Find lesson plans, science projects, and other activities that can be done in the classroom or at home to get K-12 students excited about clean energy!

LEARN

Whether you're just getting out of high school, want to improve your skills, or looking for a mid-career change, find colleges, universities, training centers and other organizations that offer clean energy classes, degrees, and other opportunities at all levels.

COMPETE

Check out these contests for students and teachers at all levels and on a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy topics.

Your Place for Renewable Energy Products: www.Net-Energy.us

Ocean Waves Energy

Ocean Waves Energy: The most promising energy solution today is to harness the kinetic power of the ocean waves and the flowing current of the sea or river.

Many projects are underway and they claim to generate enough electrical energy from millions upon those without burning fossil fuels, these forces of nature are free steady and predictable.

This video presents a new invention on various revolutionary fluid currents energy conversion device by combining double-acting Louis pumping apparatuses and moving onto and racks to convert ocean waves are flowing current into electricity that two fundamental mechanical devices are the movable device and the fixed device.

Double acting piston; a piston is arranged to reciprocate as its piston rod is actuated by afloat when the float moves up as a rising wave passes it pushes the piston upward and resulting dynamic flow of the fluid closes the left in with by the ball and fluid pumped out to the center top outlet at the same time it causes fluid to flow through the right hand and then into the chamber when the plot moves down it pulls the piston downward and partial vacuum generated at the left end in like causes the top left ball to open and allow the fluid to flow in at the same time fluid pressure on the lower side of the piston becomes higher and it causes fluid to flow through the bottom channel into the right-hand chamber and pump out through the center top outlet based on the fundamental piston reciprocates working principle many designs at energy converter can be configured.

In this example a submerged pump is operated to pump water to an elevated storage tank, water from the storage tank is channel to rotate a fluid motor or turbine which, in turn rotates a generator to produce electricity, an air piston pump is disposed above the water level, the accumulator and flow control valve help to maintain a more constant airflow to drive a turbine and generator. This design is integrated to operable both air and water piston pump.

Your Place For Renewable Energy Products: www.Net-Energy.us

MEF Mechanical Energy Factory 20 kW

MECHANICAL ENERGY FACTORY 20 kW

A NET-20 kW mechanical energy factory is a complete system that will generate 20 kilowatts of clean power without using any type of fossil fuels.

It operates on its own generated energy and it will be introduced to the market on 2015. This particular system can be interconnected with the grid and/or 100% off-grid with a battery bank.

Net-Energy.us, LLC is currently working on other systems that will be able to produce higher amount of power. However, the higher we go on power output the system designs also change to accommodate other components, but the concept is the same in terms of generating power without any external injection of energy.

We are currently contemplating on designing and installing a 50 to 100 megawatt system to provide power support to CSP plants to operate at night. This is something to be negotiated with investors.

If you are in the market for Renewable Energy Products gives us a visit, share our site and contact us if you should have any questions.

For those who are interested in smaller units of 1 to 10 kilowatts, we can also build units that small. These type of units can be use in Hydroponics and any leftover power can be stored in battery banks or send to the grid for credits. Keep in mind that we don't have generators this small in our place, however, we can order them to work in any particular project. 

To visit our site click the link below:

http://bit.ly/1smBTHV

http://www.MechanicalEnergyFactory.com

Build Your Business Online

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

Build your business online: You've got a great business idea, and you want to get it off the ground immediately. You start to look at retail locations that will generate the right kind a traffic based on your ideal customer, and price out rent, utilities, inventory, upkeep, renovation costs, insurance…are your eyes glazing over yet? Mine, too. Launching a retail store can be expensive.

This is why many of us are so attracted to eCommerce – the costs of launching an maintaining an online retail business are far lower than a brick-and-mortar store, and come with far less financial risk. Shopify is an excellent platform on which you can launch an eCommerce business for a low monthly fee, and it provides almost any tool you'll need as a shop owner.

You can even compete in the Build a Business Competition right now with any Shopify store that was launched on or after June 1, 2014 (you can enter below) to win a 5-day trip to Richard Branson’s private island and be mentored by some fantastic entrepreneurs.

However, launching an eCommerce store is not without its own challenges. You’ll be entering a highly competitive space in which giants like Amazon typically dominate.

Not only this, but companies such as Target and Walmart have entered the eCommerce arena in force and are quickly taking some large chunks of the eCommerce pie.



Learn more about shopify and see how easy it really is to build your business online.