ArmyOfOne http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone The Quest for Knowledge, Understanding and Truth Fri, 04 May 2007 21:01:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en Sterling Engine and Solar Thermal Energy http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/sterling-engine-and-solar-thermal-energy/ http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/sterling-engine-and-solar-thermal-energy/#comments Fri, 04 May 2007 19:43:46 +0000 armyofone http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/sterling-engine-and-solar-thermal-energy/ ok, I came across this youtube video today and it blew my mind.

I’ve been thinking about creating a DIY solar thermal project based upon the Project on The Sietch ( Solar Thermal Panel Two ), but also thinking critically on how I could adapt it to work with the alternator design from the Hugh Piggott wind turbine project to generate electricity.

I really think that this could prove realistic. Using solar energy to create heat and thermodynamics is 3 to 4 times more efficient than using photovoltaics and much cheaper at the moment as well since no silicon required.

The sterling engine is also the perfect candidate because it uses a closed/sealed system which doesn’t require oil and exaust so it makes for a very quiet system.

The other thing I wanted to use solar thermal is for my hot water heating. I live just outside the city and have a shallow well for my housewater and planning on digging a new point and pump in the backyard for irrigating the garden this summer and for the ice rink in the winter.

Since the Sterling engine works on heat differentials, I should be able to use cold groundwater as the cooler part of the system, and use the solar thermal grill as the heat source.

I am sooo excited and intrigued with this concept. Now it is just a matter of figuring it all out and building it out of inexpensive parts. My goal is not to get rich by building something that is crazy expensive that no-one can afford, but instead to build something that the average person can setup in their backyard and generate a large percentage of their hot water and electricity needs!

]]> http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/sterling-engine-and-solar-thermal-energy/feed/ First Post http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/first-post/ http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/first-post/#comments Fri, 04 May 2007 12:05:21 +0000 armyofone http://thesietch.org/mysietch/armyofone/2007/05/04/first-post/ My first post beta testing my new blog at TheSietch.org. I am very excited about having this space to use as a personal type blog to post about the projects I am working on and my philosophy about life and how to make a difference in this world.

I would like to congratulate Shane from “The Sietch” on his selfless desire to want to build a community of like-minded individuals looking for an outlet to make a difference.

Current Projects
http://www.armyofone.org
http://iraq.armyofone.org
http://www.socialsynergy.org - Still under development

Future Projects
HomeBrew Energy - Goal is to create a website to share my experiences with alternative energy such as wind and solar.

Work
http://www.thewebarchitect.net - Domain Names, Web Design, Hosting, Internet Service, VOIP

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