Let’s say I want my neighborhood to be off the power grid. I imagine that it would be necessary to come up with some method to allow me to produce power for my neighborhood. Solar power, or something like that. And I would want to have the grid available as a backup, in case my system went down.
So. What do I need to do this? What laws apply?
Well, you’ve got solar power and wind power as your primary options (hydroelectric if you’re near a river or something)…
Wind power requires props and towers which would have to be regulated (probably by local zoning and safety authorities)
I know in Florida if you set up alternative energy systems on a plot of land you can get a tax break, and in some states, if you produce more power than you use, the rest goes back to the local power grid and the power company pays you.
But it’s tricky to get enough usable power without making a full on windfarm (rows of towers) or having tons of solar mirrors in an array. It cost one fellow about $20,000 to get enough panels t run his whole house (including AC), but when he uses it, the electric meter from the power company goes backwards (i.e. he’s giving them power)
Of course being a neighborhood, the funds might be easier to raise.
http://www.otherpower.com/ is a site run by alternative energy enthusiasts that can give you an idea of what can be done on a budget. (These guys live where there is no main energy grid to draw from)
http://www.windpower.org/en/core.htm is an excellent collection of information on wind power technology
Hope this helps!
A wind farm would probably be the cheapest way to go. As for the applicable laws, I have no idea.
IIRC any power you produce over your needs…the power companies have to buy from you.
If I am wrong please correct me.
You could install a nuclear powerplant, but everyone in the neighborhood will say “Not in my backyard”.
Practically speaking, economies of scale dictate that it’s not really efficient to generate electricity on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. You might be able to get away with it if you have natural resources handy – geothermal, hydroelectric, wind power, or abundant clear weather for solar power generation.
The most practical option to power a neighborhood is probably a natural gas microturbine.
These small units provide 25 KW to 500 KW. (A typical household would probably need 1 to 2 KW capacity.) There was considerable interest in these units a few years ago for residential developments, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. When gas prices shot up they went on the back burner but it would still be a lot cheaper and more practical than a solar installation (which doesn’t work at night, you realize) and somewhat cheaper (and tons more reliable in about 95% of the US) than a wind generation system.
Probably the easiest short term solution would be lots of generators, and stockpile some petrolium/diesel. Horribly innefficient in the long term, of course.
But it’s what people do if they want a backup for the grid.
And what do you mean by neighbourhood? I’m guessing houses, buisnesses and even government offices could choose a different power source if they wanted, but I doubt you’ll get anyone to unhook the streetlights, etc.
When I lived in West Virginia I knew a few people who generated their own power. Most of them were business or working farms, and they needed a power source in case the power company’s lines went down. It’s not all that uncommon.
If you supply more power than you use, the power company is required to pay you for the power you produce. They don’t have to pay you the same rate they charge, however.