Thursday, February 25, 2010

I Can Help You Do an Energy Audit and Help You Choose an Installing PV/Solar Electric Contractor

February 24th, 2010


I Can Help You Do an Energy Audit and Help You Choose an Installing PV/Solar Electric Contractor


Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT

Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Electric Systems.

February 24th, 2010

Isn’t it kind of humorous how the utility companies tell us how it is in our best interest for our solar-powered homes to remain tied to the grid? So, if the power goes down on the local grid, your solar electric systems will not power your house if the grid is down. The utilities claim such a reality to be a safety device – as if that is the only alternative for such a safety? But on the other hand, it is a nice fall-back to have the grid available to your house nevertheless. I think I would prefer to have the stand-alone off-grid system – batteries and all, if such were feasible or allowable for the application.

Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Utilizing Tidal Energy, Creating Electricity from the Tides.

February 24th, 2010

Okay. Well maybe harnessing the electricity created by the moon and harnessing the electricity created by the earthly geomagnetics may still be decades – if not centuries – away into the future. The visible earthly effects of the moon: the tides of the earth’s waters may in deed promise some realistic and current applications for the productive use by mankind relevant to the harnessing of the earth’s existing and natural forces and never-ending natural power systems. Maybe tidal energy is where the real answer lies, other than merely harnessing solar power, that is.

Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT


Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
This subject has lead me to a possible revelation: I think I may have come up with an idea to possible double the electrical generation and any typical electrical generating device. And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. :) Maybe now PhD. studies on doubling the output of electrical generators??



Also see:
http://engineeringandcommerce.blogspot.com/2010/02/use-moon-to-provide-electricity-to-all.html

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Use the Moon to Provide Electricity to All of the Earth?

February 17th, 2010


Can we not put an electrical-type of stator around the moon in such a fashion to see if the rotation of the moon would create electricity to power the earth (or even a light bulb)? Could we then transmit the accumulated voltage (or whatever) to the earth in the form of some sort of pulse technology or even some other form of energy storage devices such as flywheels? Do you think I could study this question for PhD. studies at your university? Is there not a university out there that is not confined by our earthly paradigms? (Or is the only real surviving paradigm that which delineates the taking of another's idea and to run with it?)

Adam Trotter / AVT


PS. Well, I think its kind’a cute, anyhow - assuming you pardon the slight negativity at the end. No? :)



Ok, add-on after thought (Feb 25th, 2010):
I think I figured this one out today too!!! The earth and the moon acting simultaneously as one big electrical generator. Can we tap into that energy source? Wha’d’ya think? And, for any of you who actually bother to read this blog, you heard it here first. Maybe? :)

The Lack of Internet Over the Electrical Utility Power Lines Helps to Broaden the Gap Between the ‘Haves’ and the ‘Have-Nots’ in the United States?

February 17th, 2010


Many may not be aware that the technology exists so that when one plugs the power cord to their computer into the electrical outlet on the wall, they could thereby be connected to the internet as well. This technology has been dubbed Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), or something to that extent. This technology is already in place and apparently in use in some places in our nation.

However, when I investigated this matter in an ad-hoc manner, the only reason I was ever given as to why BPL is not utilized in most regions is because the state and the utility companies have not determined how to divvy up the profits from such a venture. Or at least that is the answer I was given concerning the state of this technology in California. Furthermore, the electrical utility power companies are already working to utilize this technology for their own gain in measuring and reporting the amount of electricity utilized by the end user. And who knows what else the technology is good for monitoring?

Such an answer concerning divvying-up the profits brings up several troubling questions; not the least of which concerns who paid for the electrical utility power lines and why the never-ending need for profit at the expense of others and at the expense of the nation. By these questions I mean, first of all, did not the American people pay for the majority of utility lines in the United States, both electrical lines and telecommunications lines as well? I am confident that the American people paid for nearly all the utility lines through tax dollars. Granted the utility companies should be reimbursed for the maintenance of these lines. Also, I believe an answer behind the answer listed above includes the business models of the existing internet service providers who have long made gads of monies off of the public’s desire to be connected to one of the greatest technologies and learning tools of all mankind (i.e.: the internet).

In the back of my potentially cynical mind, however, I have to wonder if there is not some desire afoot to try to further consolidate the access to information and thereby keep the learning tool that is the internet available only to those that have the money to pay for such. If the American people paid for most, if not all, of the utility transmission lines in the nation, should not these utility lines be utilized to the greatest benefit of the people? Imagine the potential productivity increase in the nation if all that was required to link to the internet was the power cable to a computer.

Am I again missing something here? Please let me know your thoughts on this subject, if you would be so kind.

Adam Trotter / AVT

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Rebuild the Nation’s Water Mains and Sewer Systems and City Streets!

February 10th, 2010

During a heavy rainstorm the other day, I was surprised to notice the massive amount of water flowing out of a storm drain and back onto the rapidly flooding street. A little later, as I was driving through the small lakes and streams that are normally shoddy city streets, I again began to reflect on the state of the nation’s infrastructure. I started to ponder why more infrastructure projects have not been undertaken to rebuild the nation’s often ancient sewer and water main systems as well as the antique city streets. I understand the rationale to wait until these systems break to begin any repairs or rebuilding efforts. But, maybe the best ‘bang for the buck’ or return on investment would not be to wait until these infrastructure systems demand immediate attention when they fail. Nevertheless, given the fact that the nation can afford to spend probably a billion dollars a day in Iraq and Afghanistan, and given the fact that the nation can afford to give trillions of dollars to our impoverished bankers and financial institutions, I found myself at a loss as to why the nation does not undertake the massive engineering and infrastructure projects required to rebuild the country’s water main and sewer systems before these systems catastrophically fail – with such failure likely only a matter of time. I mean…, we could create a lot of engineering-related jobs by investing more in our nation’s infrastructure.

Adam Trotter, P.E. / AVT


PS. Should such engineering endeavors ever be undertaken by the nation as a whole, we could probably use to replace some of the ancient bridges as well, if not build more bridges to supplement the over-crowded ones that exist now.

Free Winter Heat for Your House? Free Hot Water?

February 10th, 2010

It’s winter time. Could you use to input some free solar heat into your house or into your hot water system? After initial installation costs, solar thermal systems could add free heat and hot water to your apartment, condominium complex, and business office. You can have free heat or free hot water, or both. Solar thermal systems can pay for themselves within a year, depending on your usage. Also, these systems still collect heat on cloudy days and in the middle of winter. Solar thermal systems burn no fuel, do not pollute, and can be weather-proofed for all climates. Furthermore, you can get up to third of the costs as an investment tax credit to your federal taxes and tax rebates on your state tax returns as well - as applicable to your state. Contact me if you are interested. When new state laws (such as in California) take effect there likely will be a significant consumer stampede to install these systems. So beat the rush and arrange for an estimate soon so that you can start saving immediately or you will be ready to install when the additional new laws and rebates take effect – as applicable. Best method to contact me is to leave comment to this blog. :)

Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT


PS. Any comment posted will not be seen by any others, btw.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Solar Thermal Heat and Hot Water for your Home or Office

February 1st, 2010

If you are interested in transferring some of the heat from the sun into your house, office, or condominium, ask me how. The initial cost of solar thermal systems amount to only a fraction of the cost of solar electricity / solar photovoltaics systems. Once installed, solar thermal systems can provide free heat to your residence and also provide free hot water as well.

Adam Trotter P.E. / AVT