Crazy Idea #3893498: Can you really "sell" electricity back to the electric company?

Wrecked944 · 07-27-2005, 01:13 PM

Because if you can, then why not buy a diesel generator or two (or ten), fill them with insanely cheap biodiesel and become a Small Scale Power Company?

cowtown · 07-27-2005, 01:16 PM

I like it!

But in my town's "buyback" program, you must register with the power company, and they pick the generating equipment - which is limited to photo cells on your roof. They wouldn't let you register with generators. Maybe other locations are different.

legion · 07-27-2005, 01:18 PM

I think you can...

I know that some houses equipped with solar panels can produce enough electricity that the meters run backwards at times.

Still, I think that what you are proposing would cost more per kilowatt/hour than the electric company charges. (I'm waiting for someone smarter than I to prove/disprove this and show where the threshholds are.)

928ram · 07-27-2005, 01:19 PM

Because the electric co is only required to pay you the going *wholesale* rate per Kw/hr, all of the sudden it takes alot of Kw/hrs....

If the generator plan were cost-effective, the elec. co. would be doing it.

928ram · 07-27-2005, 01:23 PM

That is to say that even if you go negative on usage, it's stilll going to cost you.

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

It'd be sweet if I could hook a treadmill type of generator up, then just stay on the treadmill while I'm working.

legion · 07-27-2005, 01:28 PM

Now that's an idea Bryan!

David McLaughlin · David McLaughlin's Garage

Have you priced good sized generators lately? Then add $$$ for the distribution system...

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
I think you can...

I know that some houses equipped with solar panels can produce enough electricity that the meters run backwards at times.

This doesn't sound right to me. It would mean that you're backfeeding into the utility....I don't think so.

Ialso think the utilities power is cheaper unless you get the fuel for near free. How cheap is biofuel?

legion · 07-27-2005, 01:43 PM

I caught a quick bit on it on some TV show once.

Some of the replies speak of licenses, which makes me think the whole thing might be a tad more complicated than the TV show would have you believe.

vash · vash's Garage

rick, i have seen a house in my previous hood, that had a backwards running meter. he was generating more juice than he was using and feeding the excess back into the grid. i dont think the extra is counted dollar for dollar. he earns a credit that he stores up to use during his heavy hours.

california, currently offers 50% rebate for any $$ you spend installing a system. last i checked i saw prices at $25k. the old systems of batteries sitting around is long gone. you get a special "meter" installed that allows the transfer both directions.

island911 · 07-27-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JanusCole
. .. fill them with insanely cheap biodiesel ..

Even the 20% biodiesel cost more than straight dino-diesel.

Just because people are hugely pushing 'biodiesel" doesn't mean it's cheap. (great storys of guys using deepfrier oil . . locating, collecting, timing/flow/logistics, filtering, cleaning the filters, storage -- it's all "Free" )

FWIW, incinerators can/do generate electricity.

amity914 · 07-27-2005, 02:45 PM

Yes, you can. Some people have windmills that produce extra energy ceartain times of the year and the power company credits your account for the electricity. Then in the down times of the year your credit pays the electric bill, essentially you end up with a much lower or a free power bill. I am not sure if all companies are up to this or not, but I have heard of more than one person doing this.

HIEDI

slakjaw · 07-27-2005, 02:50 PM

There is a couple in Iowa that we know. They make their own Bio-Diesel in 55 gallon drums. I have no other info on it than that.

Kyle

juan ruiz · juan ruiz's Garage

Many companys do this, this is standard in 3 er world countries

you can have 10 engines they will produce 600USD per Hr x 24 hr x 7 x 365 days you do the math.

lendaddy · 07-27-2005, 03:19 PM

This is possible if you have access to an endless supply of otherwise worthless energy.....oil change places, fast food joints, etc... and even then your efficiency will suck goat balls compared to the big boys, but your front side is free

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Usually, you can, but these days, with deregulated power, they will give you the generation rate, which is usually only about 1/3 the total rate. So, for the most part, you can seriously reduce your bill, and do it during the day.

Usually, you need to notifiy the power company and a 2 way meter is installed. Most of the usual kind only turn one way.

Biodiesel is _not_ cheap. Used french fry oil is cheap, but is certainly not unlimited. You cannot use motor oil. Vegetable oil is not cheaper than diesel.

The best potential technology will be the Natural Gas Fuel Cell. When it is used for power gen and for hot water and home heating, it can be up to 80% thermally efficient. When you don't need heating (Say in the summer) it is much less efficient.

lendaddy · 07-27-2005, 05:40 PM

My motor oil comment was only that it contained a fair amount of energy, there are ways extract it.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

There are actually regulations against it. A lot of Gas Stations used to use it for heating fuel.

MikeCT · MikeCT's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by red-beard

The best potential technology will be the Natural Gas Fuel Cell. When it is used for power gen and for hot water and home heating, it can be up to 80% thermally efficient. When you don't need heating (Say in the summer) it is much less efficient.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Fuel Cells

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