[ RadSafe ] Alternative power and infrastructure, Solar Constant and irradiance

[Doug Huffman]

I live where extended power outages are likely and relocated from where
they were less likely though of longer duration, most remarkably of six
weeks duration after Hurricane Hugo.  I depend on satellite
communication for off-Island communication beyond the
cellphone-microwave link.

I use a 720VA uninterruptable conditioning power supply to primarily
supply the satellite transmitter-receiver, modem and router, but also
charge the laptop computers.  I noticed that its internal batteries
provide 12VDC.  When they are next replaced then I will bring their
terminal leads outside the case to allow me to connect a large capacity
lead-acid battery, as from my diesel tractor, diesel automobile or from
the sailboat.  All this using existing resources and little expense.

For heat I can use a propane burning space heater that functions well
without the blower.  The five-hundred gallon propane tank also provides
the kitchen stove.  Utility water comes from a 250 gallon hot tub that
must be drained before it freezes in any case.  Drinking water can be
melted from the snow pack, that is typical when the power fails, or Lake
Michigan is two miles away and pure enough to drink.  A kerosene/diesel
mantel lamp provides sixty watts of heat and white light.  A separate
manually-powered water-well is prohibitively expensive for state
regulations - fifteen thousands of US dollars.

There are 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel at the obsolescent powerhouse.
 Obsolescent only for the underwater power cable from the mainland.  The
diesel powered generators are regularly used for peak demand reduction
(that determines the electric power cost) or load carrying (~2.5 MWe)
during outages in the long rural transmission through the county on the
main land.

Windmill generators have been considered and rejected for their
in-economy, expense and low financial return, US$0.06 per KWH.
Photovoltaic supply is prohibitively expensive, particularly for high
(density) power requirements, anectdotally US$100,000 for a conventional
home base load.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE SOLAR CONSTANT IS 1350 WATTS PER SQUARE METER,
equivalent to 3 - 5 KWH per square meter day irradiance.  Any higher
density *renewable power* in-debts the future for the difference (viz.,
fossil fuel on geologic timescale).



On 6/23/2011 13:53, Brennan, Mike (DOH) wrote:
> That is definitely a problem.  I can sympathize with how hard record
> keeping had to be in the week or so when there was no power; even if you
> had a laptop it was only good for as long as the battery lasted.  
> 
> Every organization that has an emergency function should look into
> getting enough portable photovoltaic capacity (like they sell for
> hikers) to keep at least some of their electronics charged.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
> [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Jeff Terry
> Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 8:51 PM
> To: The International Radiation Protection Mailing List
> Subject: [ RadSafe ] TEPCO may have lost dozens of workers
> 
> Poor record keeping may mean that they have no way of determining the
> doses taken by some workers. 
> 
> http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/dozens-of-workers-from-fukush
> ima-nuclear-plant-cannot-be-found/story-e6frg6so-1226080166533
> 
> Sent from my iPad
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