Please provide a summary of the latest renewable energy technology
applications available for private households and small business and
if possible the names of the manufacturers and suppliers.

Hello -

IMPORTANT NOTE: This answer is not finished until you're satisfied
with it.  If you choose to rate this answer, please only do so *AFTER*
asking for any needed information/clarification.  Thanks for your
understanding.
_____________

See this link for a directory of over 5500 suppliers.  Here you can
locate renewable energy businesses by geographic location, by product
type, by business type and by name, or search for businesses using
keywords:

The Source for Renewable Energy
http://energy.sourceguides.com/index.shtml


Current technologies for home and office implementation fall into
these basic categories:

SOLAR/PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
WIND GENERATORS
HYDRO GENERATORS [HYDROPOWER]
BIOMASS
GEOTHERMAL
HYDROGEN
OCEAN ENERGY

I have located a few pages that have excellent summary information [if
this is insufficient, please let me know]:

Learning about Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
US Dept. of Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/erec/factsheets/rnwenrgy.html

Renewable Electricity Overview
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs46.htm

Renewable Energy Resources and Their Pros and Cons
http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/greenpower/renewabletech.htm#Biomass

Niagra Mohawk
http://www.niagaramohawk.com/enrgchoice/programs/renew-res.html

---

Additional Links:
EuroREX
http://www.eurorex.com/technolo.asp

Search Strategy:
"renewable energy" overview
"renewable energy" residential
"renewable energy" options home
"renewable energy" technologies
"renewable energy" sources

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Request for Answer Clarification by truck-ga on 27 Mar 2003 14:28 PST

I need to expand the question as it should include  a request for the
new technology in design that helps minimise energy consumption for
households and small businesses.  Basic passive solar design
principles need to be applied in the design of housing and building in
general and 'retro fits' can be applied to poorly designed buildings. 
There are households being established in both Australia and the
Netherlands that obtain all energy needs from renewable energy
sources. There are also new technological applications such as the
latest work being done by the Australian National University on solar
hot water heating.    The Rocky Mountain Institute is working on
"integrative solutions" towards achieving sustainable development.

How does all of that relate back to the average householder and small
business operator to look for renewable enrgy options and applications
and take some action to significantly reduce his or her energy
consumption.

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 27 Mar 2003 19:04 PST

Hi -

Will these links help?

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/EE/buildings.html

People's Power & Light
http://www.ripower.org/factsinfo.htm

Alternative Energy
http://environment.about.com/cs/energy/

jbf777-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by truck-ga on 29 Mar 2003 04:22 PST

JBF777

I am looking for practical advice here.  

How do the basic categories of  SOLAR/PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS; WIND
GENERATORS;
HYDRO GENERATORS [HYDROPOWER]; BIOMASS;  GEOTHERMAL; HYDROGEN;  OCEAN
ENERGY relate back to the average householder or small business person
trying to cut down their energy bills and move towards introducing
renewable energy.  What services can they obtain and what equipment
can they buy to apply this new technology for their benefit.

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 29 Mar 2003 17:06 PST

Perfect.  Thanks!

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 29 Mar 2003 17:07 PST

Excuse me, that was posted to the wrong answer... 

Thanks for the clarification on this.  I will see what I can find.

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 30 Mar 2003 11:16 PST

I have located the "Alternative Energy Store" to be a great source for
the latest information and products in alternative energy, all cleanly
laid out on their site.  It's at http://www.altenergystore.com.

Here are some more resources:

SOLAR
=====

Here are some newer products that save energy through solar
technology:

"Here’s a smart alternative to conventional roof vents --
CertainTeed’s new Solar Powered Roof Vent. A solar panel uses the
sun’s light and converts it into electricity. This energy powers a
high efficiency 24-volt DC motor inside the power vent. And that saves
energy, which is better for the environment..."

See more at:
http://www.planshouse.com/stories/Detailed/10437.shtml

Manufacturer:
Airvent
http://www.airvent.com/

Lot's of practical questions addressed here:
http://www.mysolar.com/mysolar/pv/yranswers.asp

----

"Beasley solar systems are made of marine grade stainless steel. Solar
energy is absorbed by flat plate copper solar collectors with a
patented selective surface.  Thermostatically controlled electric
boosters ensure an adequate supply of piping hot water on poor solar
days.  Beasley's range includes a water heater designed especially for
dairy farm use: the Dairy Fast-Flow heater which can supply
near-boiling water at up to 180 litres/minute, and the Dairy Standard
water heater which supplies near-boiling water at moderate pressures
for wash down...."

Manufacturer:
Reid Technology
http://www.reidtechnology.co.nz/

----

"SBTPT40 and SBTPT50 SBT Designs is an authorized dealer for Thermal
Conversion Technologies' ProgressiveTube Passive Solar Water Heaters. 
A self-contained solar water pre-heater that serves as a solar
collector and tank. Works with your existing electric or gas hot water
heater. Heat water using Sun energy before it reaches your
conventional hot water heater. Saves energy because your conventional
hot water heater only turns on when required as a back up. The water
is already hot!  Doubles your hot water volume and capacity!  Shipped
directly to your home from the factory.  By-pass valves and many
options are available.  We have been using a 40 gallon unit at our
vacation home for over four years now with no maintenance issues!  
Now we have one on our primary home!"

Manufacturer:
SBT Designs
http://www.sbtdesigns.com/sbtsolar.html

----

"D.  Category - Solar Lights:  SBT Designs is the most qualified solar
vendor in the South Texas region.  We are the only vendor offering a
comprehensive line of solar lighting products for a variety of
applications.  If you need light quick and don't have power, don't
want or need powerlines run over your property or just can't stand
electric utility monopolies and bills - call SBT.  We will have the
solution..."

SBT Designs
http://www.sbtdesigns.com/sbtsolar.html

----

"There are three general families of photovoltaic (PV) modules on the
market today. They are single crystal silicon, polycrystalline
silicon, and thin film. This article will help you to understand the
differences that are relevant to the system designer and owner."  Read
more about them here, and see a list of all different types of
products as well:

Alternative Energy Store
https://www.altenergystore.com/cart/solar_panels.html?8RDE4GgV;

----

A link to various solar-type technologies:

Dulley
http://www.dulley.com/solar.shtml


_________________________________________________________________________


WIND
====

Here are some newer products that save energy through harnessing wind
power.  Capturing wind has pretty much been exclusive to windmill-type
products; can't find too much else on the subject.

"AIR X - The most popular wind generator in the USA.  Easy to install.
A low cost solution to keeping batteries charged at night when the Sun
doesn't shine and on windy days.  A combination of solar and a wind
generator power system make the AIR X  beneficial even in low wind
sites.  Compact, 13 pounds, 400 Watts, three blade modular design.  
Comes with internal regulator and can be installed in a few hours. 
Rotor diameter of 46 inches.  Models available for industrial and 
marine use also.   Three year warranty.  We do recommend hybrid power
systems that are a combination of solar and wind technology. 
Available in marine, industrial and heavy duty versions for hostile
environmental conditions."

Manufacturer:
SBT Designs
http://www.sbtdesigns.com/sbtsolar.html

---

"WHISPER H80 - For more power consider the Whisper line of wind
turbine generators from Southwest Windpower.  1000 Watts (at 26mph)
24, 36, or 48VDC.  Ideal for low to moderate wind locations and where
noise may be an issue.  The Whisper gets the most out of low or
moderate wind speeds.  Featuring a ten foot rotor, the H80 will
deliver twice the power in marginal wind areas.  A high voltage model
is available for long wire runs up to two miles.  An AC direct drive
water pumping model will connect directly to an electric water pump
without the need for batteries."

---

See more products here:

Alternative Energy Store
https://www.altenergystore.com/cart/windmills.html?8RDE4GgV;

Wind Energy
http://www.windenergy.com

Windstreampower
http://www.windstreampower.com/windpower/windmain.html

_________________________________________________________________________

MICROHYDRO 
==========

These are turbine/generators that work on a very small scale, but are
very similar in principle to large-scale waterfall-based
turbine/generators that power companies use.  The turbines are
fastened in a stream or under a waterfall, whereby the flowing water
spins a turbine, which is in turn connected to a generator that
generates power.  Quantity of power is flow and pressure-dependent. 
You have to have a moving source of water to implement this
technology.  This technology, like wind-based technologies, have been
similar in principle for many years.

Here are some products:

Alternative Energy Store
https://www.altenergystore.com/cart/micro_hydro_electric_power.html

Here is a directory of manufacturers:

http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byP/hydro/microhydroturbine/byB/mfg/byGeo/US/US.shtml

_________________________________________________________________________

BIOMASS
=======

"HEAT A SPACE, SAVE SOME ENERGY w/ Pellet Fires.  Well planned space
heating saves energy. That pellet fire in the living area keeps you
warm and cozy in the place you spend most of your time. Regardless of
what you pay for energy, space heating clips at least 25% right off
the top."

Pellet Fires
http://www.pelletfires.com.au/contactUs.htm

_________________________________________________________________________

GEOTHERMAL
==========

"Your own backyard has the potential to be your source of heating and
cooling comfort. Now you can get safe, reliable, energy efficient
heating and cooling from one piece of equipment. Geothermal energy
represents the leading edge of heating and cooling technology. It
moves heat energy to and from the earth to heat and cool your indoor
environment. And compared to ordinary systems, geothermal technology
can save you 30% to 60% on your monthly energy bills. Geothermal is
the safest, cleanest, most reliable space conditioning system you can
buy."

See products and more information at this web site:

Water Furnace International
http://www.waterfurnace.com/

---

"When you invest in a geothermal comfort system from Arronco Comfort
Air, Inc., you are choosing the highest quality, best performing
heating and cooling system available. Here are some of the benefits of
geothermal system ownership..."

Arronco
http://www.arronco.com/Water_Furnace.html

_________________________________________________________________________

HYDROGEN
========

Green Flame Hydrogen Heater:
Save on heating costs. The 99.9% heating efficient designs require no
outside venting, so all the heat stays in the room.
# Humidifies dry air adding to the heating effect so you use less
fuel.
# Provide Easy, economical installation, with no vent or chimney
required,
# and a built in pressure regulator, installation is an easy job*.
(*Professional installation recommended)"

Thermodyne Systems
http://power.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hydrogenappliances.com%2F

---

Hydrogen Appliances + Heaters
http://power.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hydrogenappliances.com%2F

---

Hydrogen Now - information on future uses
http://www.hydrogennow.org/

_________________________________________________________________________

Not anything significant for ocean-based energy, yet... here's an
article on it:

Electricity from sea waves to be studied
http://eastbay.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2002/02/25/daily70.html

_________________________________________________________________________


Additional Resource:

Home Power & Technology
http://www.mayflowertrading.com/Our%20library%20home_power%20technology.htm


Search Strategy
"new X" "saves energy" [where X is the technology]
"X applications"
"newest" "saves energy" X
X "+for home"

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 30 Mar 2003 11:21 PST

WHISPER H80 is also sbtdesigns.com

I have been following this topic for more than a decade. I am sad to
report that typical homeowners spend in excess of $1000 up front to
get less than $100 per year worth of energy. More often than not a
repair exceeding $100 occurs in the first decade and several in the
second decade. There are exceptions if your solar input unit is shaded
only a few minutes plus or minus 3 hours of midday on standard time
and plus or minus 4 hours of 1 pm  daylight time and you live in one
of the sunniest states such as New Mexico, Arizona or Nevada. It is
generally thought that solar hot water pre heaters have the best
chance of being competitive with focil fuel.
 Wind mills are also good if you have a location of higher than
average wind, and you have another use for the tower that holds the
wind mill.
 Water power can also be good if your property is tilted with even a
small steam that runs across it. Not useful if the stream dries up
frequently.
 Geothermal is good if you happen to be the one in a million families
that have a warm spring on your property. Other than Iceland, sinking
wells to get geothermal energy has rarely proved competitive. Wells
have however been successful with heat pumps for both heating and
cooling, reducing the average energy cost by perhaps 10% over the best
air to air heat pumps. Be sure to compare costs to esimate payback
which should be less than 10 years. If you move, the buyer of your
home probably won't pay extra because you have an air to water heat
pump.
 My friend knew an engineer who had horses and got methane from bio
mass long ago. Obviously it is a big plus if you are smart enough to
design your own system from free or almost free components. I have not
heard of any one who got significant amounts of energy from waves or
tides. Even experimental efforts have been tiny and the energy yeild
very costly.   Neil