Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko
Anymore 'Muricans need to generate about a Kw to get through the day as a minimum. so your alternator needs to produce probably around a hundred amps continuously. Not really practical for an automotive part.
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That's almost precisely what we use; about 1 kW on average. Baseload is about 0.3 kW, and loads increase from there.
Adding an EV probably increases consumption another 3,300 kWh per year or about another 0.4 kW.
I'd really need to be generating about 1.5 kW on average, possibly more since I would go full electric everything (heating/cooling). The stream would probably need to be at least 2 kW of energy to factor in losses.
Basically need a 2 horsepower generator to run continuously.
...just looked this up for fun. Apparently typical efficiency is usually between 0.7 and 0.9. I assumed 0.8.
I need 100 gallons per minute and 50ft of head height to supply my 2.5 kW of water energy that outputs 2 kW of power at 80% efficiency. At $0.10 per kWh, that would deliver $1,750 (about $150/mo) of electricity.
Double the flow, and you need half the height, or double the height, and you need half the flow, etc.
https://greener4life.com/Hydroelectric-Power-Calculator
Seems doable. I've seen several springs feeding into the North Santiam River that I assume easily have these specs.