Total Home and Car Energy
As an engineer, I’ve always been interested in efficient energy use. As gasoline prices increase more and more, I’ve become more interested in efficient automobiles. Between household and auto energy needs, and each of us trying to reduce our C02 footprint, it is clear to me that local energy generation is the only answer.
What do I mean by local energy generation?
- Within our house lots, each of us should create, store and convert whatever energy is needed for our homes, A/C, appliances, heating, hot water, and most importantly automobiles for daily use.
- there are exceptions where external energy needs to be provided, but generally we should each take responsibility for our energy needs locally.
- With local generation, there is no ‘’one solution for everyone’’. It depends on what energy is easiest to create locally.
Some things are assumed:
- natural gas will be used for central heating, unless another alternative becomes more efficient or is a common by-product of another necessary process.
- natural gas will be used for water heating, unless another alternative becomes more efficient or is a common by-product of another necessary process.
- wind energy isn’t a viable solution – I happen to live in the SE USA. Not much wind here.
- hybrid automobile is required – electric + hydrogen
- hydrogen must be produced locally (either convert natural gas or from electrolysis) from renewable energy sources.
- potable water is available
Ok, let’s lay out the solution:
- Solar energy and batteries are used for household energy needs [[THCE Solar House]]
- electric + hydrogen hybrid cars are needed [[THCE e + H2 Car]]
- Batteries and/or converted hydrogen will be used for non-solar power generation [[THCE Batteries]]
- Hydrogen will be used for portable energy needs, local storage is needed. [[THCE H2]]
See the [[THCE Components]].
