Ham Radio Power and Energy!

Ham Radio depends on Power & Energy!

It’s a whole new world of Power

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Taxes …

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Taxes …

and Utilities!

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Taxes …

and Utilities!

But you can do something about these!

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Taxes …

and Utilities!

But you can do something about these!

Eliminate 100% to Zero!

Save 30%

Lets talk Solar!

Portable Power Generation350 W aux power1200W AC inverter $120

Invert to 120 VACFor distribution 95% efficiencySaves 100:1 in wire losses

Who is WB4APR?Who is WB4APR?

1970

1980

1990

2007

2010

2012

Future?

2009

2013

1978200

9

It’s a new world of Power

Power Systems have CHANGED!

Switching supply takes up 8% of the space

and only 10% of the mass and works 100-240 VAC

AND 100-330 VDC

9 amp 8 amp 18 amp

Power Distribution@ 330 VDCNearly ALL modern switching supplies will run on VDC

Doubles 120 to 230 VAC

Rectify to 330 VDC for delivery

Eliminate 75% of

Distribution losses

730 mA

Power Distribution 330 VDCNearly ALL modern switching supplies will run on VDC

Kenwood 115 VAC only supply

Actually has internal jumper

Eliminate 75% of

Distribution losses

Example: SWER Distribution

Problem: 6 Hr ops from Hill top 3200’ from car

Power Distribution SWEREmergency Power: Single Wire Earth Return

Double to 230 VAC at source

Rectify to 330 VDC for delivery

Not approved by NEC

Power Distribution SWEREmergency Power: Single Wire Earth Return

3200’ system fits in laptop bagNot approved by NEC

Power Distribution SWEREmergency Power: Use

Single Wire Earth Return

Not approved by NEC

Power Distribution SWEREmergency Power:

Single Wire Earth Return

Not approved by NECAnd 3200’ of #22 = 50 ohms

Power Distribution SWERSingle

Wire

Earth

Return

Not

approved

by NECDouble to 230 VAC at source

Rectify to 330 VDC for delivery

Power Distribution SWERSingle

Wire

Earth

Return

Not

approved

by NEC

2 Laptops, 50W dual band, 2 HT’s and APRS – 6 Hours

Golden Packet Event26 July

2010

14 Hops

Alabama to Maine!

2 Laptops, 50W dual band, 2 HT’s and APRS – 6 Hours

SUCCESS!

26 July

2014

220/330 VDC distribution

Greater distances At half the currentAt twice the power#18 zip cord can carry 1000 watts easily

50 kW peak (10 kW average)

Safe, cheap connectors

(Modified to prevent incorrect use.)

Hybrid - 50 kW generators on wheels

2005 in 2008$7k, 19k miles

P2

Prius Hotel P3

2005 in 2010$6k, 90k miles

P2

P1

Energy – it’s a whole new world!

Bob Bruninga, WB4APRAnnapolis, MD 21401http://www.aprs.org/alternative-energy.html

Solar Power for Electricity Electricity for commuting

Lighting

Fossil Burning Costs

Solar Power for Electricity Electric Vehicle Support

We include EV’s because about half of our easily-fixed energy is spent driving

At AFM we currently burn Propane for heat

Big Picture!

Heating

ElectricDriving

Lighting

When is the Payback ???When is the Breakeven ???

Paying for at-home Garbage Pickup -

is from Day ONE !

Big Picture!

When is the Payback ???When is the Breakeven ???

Paying for Sewage Plants – is from Day ONE !

Big Picture!

When is the Payback ???When is the Breakeven ???

Investing in Solar Power - is from Day ONE !Because that’s when we Stop Beating Mother Nature and stealing from our kids future.

Big Picture!

1 House, 1 Year

4 Tons of Coal

Yes, we have 100 years of coal, but there won’t be anything left of WV!

Big Picture!

OUR PRESENT LIFESTYLE

IS NOT SUSTAINABLE!

Or part of the Solution?

Are we part of the problem?

Just breathing Ur Car in Ur Garage

How long are you willing to stay in your garage with your engine running?

Just breathing Ur Car in Ur Garage

Just breathing Cars and Electricity

Breathing Cars, Electricity & Heat

Breathing Cars, Electricity & Heat for 24 hours

Breathing Cars, Electricity & Heat for a month

Clean Energy,SOLAR

Carbon Equivalence!

Each Panel = 8 Trees.

Our system = 312 trees!

= (3 acres of trees)

Big Picture!

Lighting: Save 4 to 1 Energy!(breakeven in 5 days!)

Only 1 in 4 households do it!

Cost 50 cents.

Save $50 over the life of the bulb!

House with 50 bulbs saves $2500

$1

Solar Power is here & Growing Exponentially

2013

Solar Cost! Equaled Utility in 2010Half the Utility in 2013

2009

I was so wrong!

• My concept of solar power was always this:

Battery Storage (off Grid)

Grid-tie Revolutionized Solar

• No Batteries!

Every Watt Produced is valued at full Retail Rates!

Grid-Tie

A simple Ground MountArray Cost

$15,000 2008

$ 9,000 2010

$ 6,000 2012

$ 3,000 2013

$ 2,000 2014

$ 1,900 2015

Panel

200 W

220 W

250 W

(300W)

What is Grid-tie Solar?As simple as a 20A breaker - L1, L2, N & Ground

Grid Solar Power = Emergency PowerGrid Solar Power = Emergency Power

• COMPLETELY DIVORCE any thoughts of “COMPLETELY DIVORCE any thoughts of “emergency emergency powerpower” from ” from Economical powerEconomical power..

• Solar power (grid-tie) Solar power (grid-tie) is for is for ECONOMICAL POWER!ECONOMICAL POWER!

• Emergency powerEmergency power has completely different optimal has completely different optimal solutions. (Short term and Armageddon)solutions. (Short term and Armageddon)

4444

$400$10,000

What isn’t Grid-tie Solar?

Standard Grid-tie SolarSeries up to 600 V to minimize wire loss (7A = #14 wire)

Grid-down Solar PowerEmergency Switch to 300 v to power Universal Powered Systems

Power Distribution@ 330 VDCNearly ALL modern switching supplies will run on VDC

Doubles 120 to 230 VAC

Rectify to 330 VDC for delivery

Eliminate 75% of

Distribution losses

730 mA

Grid-down Solar PowerEmergency Switch to 300 v to power Universal Powered Systems

Simple A/C Disconnect

60 amps

600v

Only $6

Grid-down Solar PowerEmergency Switch to 300 v to power Universal Powered Systems

TV, Stereo

PC, internet, laptop

Chargers: Cell

Ham Radio (Switching PS)

Lights (incandescent-series)

Anything with SW/PS

Grid-down Solar PowerEmergency Switch to 300 v to power Universal Powered Systems

TV, Stereo

PC, internet, laptop

Chargers: Cell

Ham Radio (Switching PS)

Lights (incandescent-series)

Anything with SW/PS

Well pump

Furnace Blower

Appliances

Heaters

A/C

Everything you NEED

Grid-down Solar PowerYou NEED a 200-500 VDC input – 60 Hz Inverter!

Prius Plug-out-kit: 2, 3 & 5 KVA 50 kW generator Hybrid!

Grid-down Solar PowerYou NEED a 200-500 VDC input – 60 Hz Inverter!

Leaf-to Home: 6 KVA – 24 kWh battery

Prius-to-Home (50 kW gen)

Solar Backup Power Ideas

• Even cloudy days = 10% of array power• Minimum overnight power: Refrigerator & Lights• 16 Hrs x 250W = 4 kWh• Four Deep-cycle Car Batteries

$150

$400

Angles - less important with Grid-Tie

Amazing, even due East, you still get 85% effectiveness!

Angles - less important, More Roof is!

Amazing! Increase power by 60% to 100% on other side!

• Federal gives 30% tax credit. No limit

• State of Maryland Grant – In 2010 for our 8kW system was $7000 – In 2011 was $5000– In 2013 was $1000– In 2014 is ??? (argh!)

• AA County Real Estate Tax credit– $2500

• Total Gov’t Tax Credits return ~ 40% of investment!

Government Incentives!

What to do with $12,000?

Put in bank @ 1%Pay $700/yr for life for electricity Buy 4 kW solar $12k

equityGet back $3600 immediately on taxesGet back $600/yr in SRECs (5 yrs)Get $700 free electricity/yearGet ??? From State? County? City?

$5,000 Equity left $ 900 Earned interest$5,900 EquityOwn nothingContinue $700/yr for life$ 0 after 7 more years

$12,000 System Value$ 3,600 Tax refund$ 3,000 SREC’s$18,600 EquityYou own your own Energy system NO utilities for life!

10 yrs

Finish this Sentence:

• There is nothing certain in life except

Death and ….

Taxes …

and Utilities!

But you can do something about these!

Eliminate 100% to Zero!

Save 30%

8% - 10%

Annapolis Church 9 kW Array $20k

Completed 31 Jan 2014

Now a year later, we have had 12 months of ZERO bills! (saving us $2400/yr)

Annapolis Church 9 kW Array

Inverter

Circuit Breaker Sturdy (don’t do this at home!)

System Components

Annapolis Church 9 kW Array

Tilt angle chosen was 25 deg instead of 35 deg to reduce visibiity (<1% loss)

Notice also that orienting to SE or SW would only lose <3%

Choosing Tilt Angle

50% Energy Driving to Church

http://aprs.org/EV-charging-everywhere.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

50% of Church’s energy/emissions due to driving!With the Solar array, EV driving is 100% renewable

Most of what we think we know about EV’s

might be wrong

Bob Bruninga, EVADC

Cost too much! Runs on coal from Power Plant (Carbon) Range too short Useless in power outage Planet Impact worse than a Hummer No Infrastructure Not enough chargers Takes too long to charge

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Most of us, Greybeards too,drive gas cars with gas-tank thinking

EVs Now cheaper than gas!....?2013

Over 30 EV’s now

on Market!(in just 4 years!)

Only 4 cost more than the average gas car! ($33k)

Public Charging (misplaced focus)

Provides comfort & security…

… like a spare gas can

EV Charging is done mostly at home or at work while parked

Background:

Public Charging (14% of need)

Buying an EV with the idea of public charging, means not understanding EV’s and maybe buying the wrong car!

Background:

Provides comfort & security…

like a spare gas can

85% of all charging is at home

A Battery is not a TANK!

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Gas cars drive-to-empty, then fill-to-full at Public Stations

EV’s charge daily at home and at work while parked

The Complete Paradigm Shift:

Every EV can charge from any 120v outlet

Charging stations for every EV is not sustainable at-work:

$6000 installed

Every EV comes with a 120v charge cord

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Exist or $15 each

Charge at Home (and at work)

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

0.3% of the need

Charge at Home (and at work)

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Public Charging is like looking for $10 gas!

0.3% of the need

85% of all charging is at home on standard 120v outlets

Charging While Parked (21 hrs/day)

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Oh the Horror!

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Reality with EV’s isPeople see thisAnd think $50

$1 a day

Our Legacy experience

20¢/hr

120v outlets solve 97% of charging-at-work

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

Church

Charging Load at 120v:

http://aprs.org/payin-to-plugin.htmlBob Bruninga, PE

IEEE Transportation Committee

1 Coffee Pot = Level 1 EV charging

Pay $20/moFor 20mi commute

Plug-in at work (double range, quadruple area)

Charge at home only = 16 mi range (chevy Volt)

Charge L1 at work/home = 64 mi range

Range of Chevy Volt (on electricity)

Electric!

One Family Example: from 3000 gal/year down to 200 gal/year

And we help Environment

And save money!

Solar Water Heating – WAS Best Application for solar1950 - 2005

Best energy capture per sqft… 1950-2005

Solar PV EQUAL to Thermal hot water… in 2005 !

Heatpump water heating – game-changer 2005 -

Solar PV now BETTER than Thermal hot water… !

100% hot water not used EVERYDAY… Excess solar every day is lost

100% of solar energy = full retail valueIndependent of how you use it!

My Kitchen DIY Heat Pump

So, Lets do the right thing…Move forward with clean Energy

Bob Bruninga, WB4APRAnnapolis, MD 21401http://www.aprs.org/AFM-environment.html410-293-6417

Fossil Burning Costs

Solar Power for Electricity Electric Vehicle Support

We include EV’s because about half of our easily-fixed energy is spent driving

At AFM we currently burn Propane for heat

Big Picture!

Heating

ElectricDriving

Lighting

Heating Costs – Oil,Propane…

Actually our biggest Energy cost is our Propane heating.

Switching to Ground Source Heatpump saved 60% of our energy costs!

Switching from Propane to Ground Source Heatpump

Our heating costs will go down 60% AND being electric, we can replace that with solar for additional savings!

Summary

• If you have sun, FREE Energy + 10%/yr for LIFE!• If most of your driving is local, Reduce Driving

costs by 4 to 1 with an EV!• If you have a Hybrid, your have 50 kW power!• Think - Energy & Power – Ham service• There are practically no 60 Hz Xformers now• Most new things run on 100-240 VAC/ (330VDC)• Prepare for flexible, versitile energy• Stop burning Fossil Fuel where U can!

Hams KNOW Energy!