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Simply defined, energy is the required and sufficient capacity for doing work ( energy = work ). When we examine the principles of energy conversion more closely, we understand that the most important rule to remember when considering primary energy conversion is ( no energy = no work ), and there are no exceptions to this rule, as the energy conversion process is governed by the laws of Physics and Thermodynamics. When referencing energy recovery, the early stages of crude oil production are very rewarding, with the ratio of energy expenditure-to-recovery being in favour of the amount of energy in barrels recovered, meaning a greater number of barrels recovered than the amount of energy being expended in the financial sense. This makes energy production cheap and affordable, however, this recovery ratio is only possible until the resource has produced about half of the total reservoir containment, or until energy recovery peaks. From this point, energy recovery becomes very expensive, with the energy recovery ratio being reversed until the resource can no longer be recovered. The principles of Thermodynamics tell us that the energy conversion process must be returning more energy than is being expended during the conversion process, or the energy resource is deemed a "sink" or not viable. Without abundant supplies of cheap primary energy, the energy conversion process becomes more expensive until it's no longer possible to achieve. Thermonuclear energy transmutation.... The most abundant element in the universe is Hydrogen, being the source of fuel for all stars, including our own sun or in astronomical terms ( sol ). The thermonuclear energy transmutation process that takes place on all stars is the result of Hydrogen fueling the intense thermonuclear energy reaction and conversion process. Helium is produced as a by-product, resulting from the Hydrogen being expended during the process. All stars in the universe have one thing in common, they eventually run out of fuel. Planet earth, the ultimate solar collector.... The amount of energy in sunlight that reaches earths surface each day is massive and in a general sense, cannot be compared to all forms of conventional energy that humanity has consumed, both in the past, and that which has yet to be consumed in the future. 1. Total conventional crude oil consumed to 2005 = 945 Gb - billion barrels 2. Total "ultimate recoverable" of same = 1850 Gb - billion barrels The total amount of energy in light from the sun that intersects earths surface in a 24 hour period is greater than the amount of energy contained in all of the crude oil that ever existed. Solar energy technologies.... Although existing photo voltaic solar energy conversion technologies are limited in their capacity to return vast amounts of energy, other solar energy principles and technologies such as solar reflecting and magnification devices used to heat water for steam turbine energy production, including Solar Stirling engine system technologies, are currently available and could be used to convert massive area's of unused land into vast energy production facilities.
Brief example of energy BTU recovery comparison between crude oil and electrical energy generation, highlighting the dominating factor of crude oil as the primary energy resource. 
It goes without saying that crude oil is the most important of all forms of energy. The value of energy measured in BTU that can be produced from a single barrel
of conventional crude oil speaks volumes when compared to all other forms of energy. We can readily understand this energy capacity by observing the data below, and graphical representation to the right.1 Kilowatt hour of electricity = 3,413 BTU 1 Barrel of crude oil = 5.8 million BTU · BTU = British Thermal Unit Energy in all forms is the fundamental basis on which human social development is made possible. The more important threads that bind social development together are that of the primary energy or fossil fuel elements such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, all being finite in reserve capacity, meaning existing reserves are non-renewable and will not last forever. Crude oil is the most important of all energy resources, being responsible for virtually everything achievable within all human social development infrastructures. As this primary energy element is in a state of serious and rapid decline, it should remain relatively obvious that the further humanity moves beyond the period of global peak oil production, primary energy will become more expensive and so too will all that is inherently associated to this unique energy resource. Without an abundant supply of cheap and affordable crude oil, all other elements within the delicately balanced chain of events that depend on primary energy will eventually succumb to energy resources depletion as the costs of maintaining transient economies continue to spiral beyond the point of sustainability and control, completely changing all that depended on primary energy and fossil fuels.
In brief.... To cover the history of self sufficiency in full, we would have to go back to the very beginning of humanity where early methods of self sufficiency were developed and practiced. The basic theory of self sufficient lifestyles has not changed much over thousands of years. These principles and sustainable lifestyles utilise renewable resources that are readily available. However, the complications that have become inherently associated to modern social and economic infrastructures make the general applications of self sufficiency more difficult to achieve, due to our dependency on such things as economic and financial wealth, the infrastructures that provide general product and commodity manufacturing and above all, the energy resources responsible for sustaining all that exists within modern societies. Before the industrial age gave rise to manufacturing and technology development, the practices of self sufficiency dominated all global social structures. The term DIY, meaning "do-it-yourself", is a term that all self sufficiency enthusiasts can associate with, as it is a major component of self sufficient lifestyles. The practice and philosophy of being self reliant with respect to systems development, building, construction, and agriculture is what really makes this age old science work well. But being self sufficient means adapting to a host of associated methods and applications that are combined together to provide the benefits and rewards of low cost sustainable living. Examples of projects include basic dwelling and passive solar housing construction, vegetable and food production including related items such as greenhouses and plant nurseries, poultry runs and houses, low voltage power generation using renewable energy technologies, construction of water reservoirs for use with cropping and general water management, and much more. To take full advantage of this very rewarding lifestyle application, it is necessary to apply all methods and aspects appropriately. This can only be achieved on a small to moderate sized acreage, however, this is not suggestive of exclusion for the average suburban household. Anyone can grow their own vegetables, fruit, and produce cheap or in many cases, completely free electrical energy within the average suburban backyard. The appropriate levels of personal determination applied in both the mental and practical sense that have been required in the distant past to execute self sufficient lifestyles is now very close to becoming a full circle phenomenon, as the very need for this type of past life style was driven by pure necessity due to the complete lack of technology to provide appropriate alternatives. But as technology slowly took the stage, the necessity for self reliance gave way to development, leaving the days of old in the past where many believed they rightly belong. This was now the new age of crude oil, providing everything that societies had dreamed of. But the realisation of many dreams did not come with permanent or long term assurances. As we rapidly approach the period of energy resources recovery where it will become necessary for many to return to this age old practice of self sufficiency, the option of necessity for this alternative life style will have come full circle. Alternative lifestyles, renewable energy technologies, sustainable living.... The art and science of self sufficiency is as old as the first social development periods of humanity. Before energy resources were exploited, basic self sufficiency principles were practiced and slowly developed within all global cultures and societies. The principles encompassing self sufficient life styles are relatively simple, they are a basic set of rules and principles that provide the means for sustainable living. These principles utilise alternative methods of energy production, simple and affordable building design principles, basic methods of food and agriculture production, food preservation and dehydrating, and other general aspects of sustainable living that take advantage of renewable resources rather than exploiting non-renewable energy systems and resources. In practice, sustainable living is actually more rewarding than any other for many reasons, several being dramatically reduced financial capital requirement and the removal of an inherent reliance on services provided within social development infrastructures. The other important aspect of self sufficiency and sustainable living is the extremely low impact on ecosystems and the environment. As energy recovery and production becomes more expensive in a post peak oil economic climate, it will become very necessary to implement more efficient methods of energy production and management. Without alternatives to fossil fuels, self sufficiency will once again become the only option of choice in what can only be described as our very precarious future.
Self Sufficiency and Sustainable Living - A Resource and Awareness Initiative.... On the basis that global oil production is currently in a transitional peak plateau with decline imminent and economic change being inherently integrated into energy recovery in a post peak oil world, the following links have been provided with the intention of expanding awareness of self sufficiency applications. Links are provided without warranty of any kind, and subject to change or subsequent removal without notice. Alternative energy, self sufficiency resources, publications, organisations, associations.... AEoogle - A Comprehensive Alternative Energy Search Index Energy Planet - Renewable Energy Directory Alternative Energy News - Information and Resources Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living Build-It-Solar - Large Collection of Self Sufficiency Projects and Resources ESSN - Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter Archives Alternative Technology Association - Renew & Soft Technology publications Earth Garden - Sustainable Living and Planet Care Publication Earth Garden Links Multi Powered Products - Self Sufficiency Resources and Products The 12-Volt Shop - Low Voltage Applications - Self Sufficiency Resources Home-of-12volt - Low Voltage Applications and Resources In-The-Wake - Self Sufficiency Resources Journey-To-Forever Organisation - Self Sufficiency and Sustainable Living Resources Beyond Peak - Prepare for peak oil and economic collapse Home Power publication Great Dreams - Survival and Self Sufficiency Resources Future Energy Organisation Future Energy Organisation - Information Article and Statistics - Polluting
Australian White Cypress Pine Callitris Glaucophylla Log Home Construction Pine log home and cabin construction dates back hundreds of years prior to industry and technology development. Early American, Canadian and European pioneers constructed homes and cabins from a variety of timbers and many of these dwellings are still standing today. White Cypress grows native in many regions including the Eastern Great Dividing range of Australia. The properties of White Cypress Pine are unique and provide a natural resistance to white ants or termites and borer pests. Although being a very workable timber and classed in the medium wood range, Cypress is very dense when aged. In milled log form, White Cypress is generally considered to have an expected durability or standing construction life span of between 100 years to more than 400 years. The most common and stongest of log construction methods is referred to as the Swedish Cope or Full Scribe Saddle Notch Compression Fit Method. Cypress logs are cut to the required lengths and permanently locked in place using compression notches that are cut out at both ends of the log with a chainsaw. The entire structure is built using the "saddle notch compression fit method". Wide floor and roof lining boards are prepared and cut using a clamped guided chainsaw. The end result of the compression fit method provides an incredibly strong structure that will stand up to the highest of cyclonic wind speed ratings. The most beneficial aspect of log construction is the cost which can generally save the owner builder about 98 % percent of the entire building and construction cost when compared to conventional building methods. If the property owner already maintains appropriate Cypress trees from which to harvest the logs, the total cost for a 2 or 3 bedroom home usually comes in at around $3,000 to $4,000 AUD. This covers the cost of appropriate log handling tools including a chainsaw and steel roofing panels. A single story two bedroom home can be built in a couple of weeks with two or more handy persons working on the project. It is quite possible for a single handy man to construct the same project over several weeks using the appropriate tools and lifting devices. The links below are considered the highest quality of resources concerning this subject and will provide all you will need to build your own log cabin or home for very little cost. Australian White Cypress Pine Log Home Construction Manuals, Guides and Building Resources.... Alaska Log Building Construction Guide - Complete Building Manual - 19,729 kb pdf Alaska Log Building Construction Guide - Individual Chapters and Appendix DIY Log Cabins and Homes - Construction Guide Log-Building Organisation - Log Home Construction Manuals and Resources Woodenways United Kingdom - DIY Log Cabin Construction - A Comprehensive Photo Pictorial Log-home-builders Organisation Log-home-builders Organisation - Frequently Asked Questions Australian Owner Builder Resources and Log Home Construction Companies.... The Owner Builder Publication The Owner Builder Publication - Resource Links Appalachian Log Homes Great Bear Log Homes Trubuilt Log Homes General Design and Construction Resources.... Your-Log-Home-Source - Resources Loghome-Handcrafted Log-Homes Organisation Log Homes Canada Kodiak Log Homes Log Home Links Lumberjack Homes Lumberjack Homes - Log Home Builders
Photo voltaic technologies, low voltage renewable energy.... Solar cells provide an abundant supply of free renewable electrical energy, with the most recent photo voltaic cell technologies providing renewable energy for up to 25 years if maintained correctly. A single 12 volt 60 watt multi crystalline solar panel and deep cycle battery will provide ample 12 volt electrical energy to power a 12 volt LED lighting system for the average household. Deep cycle batteries such as spiral cell and gel cell technologies, provide optimum energy storage for today's renewable off the shelf energy systems, and will easily perform continuous charge and discharge cycles for many years. You can find a more comprehensive guide to solar energy systems in the self sufficiency section of the Author's e-book. This general introduction to solar and photo voltaic technologies takes the reader through an understanding of solar energy systems and the necessary components required. Renewable Energy Projects Renewable Photo Voltaic Energy Remote Area Power Supply Photo Voltaic Panels - Technical Manual SolarPanelXpress - Solar Panels - Batteries - 12 Volt Applications SolarZone - Photo Voltaic Panels Going Solar Solar On-Line Solar On-Line - Products Solar Today Organisation
Deep cycle battery technologies - Constant Charge / Discharge - low voltage renewable energy storage.... Deep Cycle Batteries - Technical Manual Optima Batteries - Ultimate Spiral Cell Deep Cycle Energy Storage Federal Batteries Federal Battery - Deep Cycle Storage Federal Battery Price List Solar On-Line - Batteries
Solar convection heating, water and ambient air heating.... Solar convection heating is the principle of using the sun to heat water, and these systems can be designed and built for very little cost and will provide ample hot water for the average household, or even much larger heating requirements, and can also be used to heat circulating air currents. As a practical approach to energy conservation, every single household should have a passive solar convection water heating system installed. Not only does it make good sense to reduce electicity and gas usage consumed for water heating purposes, but the costs for a basic system are usually recovered within the first twelve months from installation, providing a 100 % saving from this point. The basic system principle incorporates copper tube secured to a steel or aluminium plate coated with a high temperature resistant black paint. The copper tube is connected to a gravity feed water tank or reservoir. This tank is usually fitted to the same external stand that the heating array is mounted to. As the heating array is exposed to solar radiation, water is heated in the array and circulates from the cold supply at the base of the tank, through the heating array, moving upward under pressure towards the array outlet and back into the top of reservoir. Hot water is then ducted from the base of the reservoir to the household supply. IPSWH book link at Build-It-Solar For a comprehensive passive solar water heating design and construction manual, please see the Integral Passive Solar Water Heater Book, a freeware pdf e-book - construction manual, kindly made available by David A. Bainbridge, from The Passive Solar Institute, through the Build-It-Solar network. This comprehensive manual covers the complete design principle of passive solar water heating and demonstrates all of the common heating systems and designs. Integral Passive Solar Water Heater Book Solar Water Heating - Technical Manual
Wind turbine, associated technologies.... The basic design principle of wind turbine's generally consists of a propeller connected to a generator or alternator that provides a constant supply of electrical energy while ever there is an abundant supply of wind. Many new radical designs are proving to be very efficient renewable energy systems. The common wind turbine design is horizontal axis and incorporates multi-blade propellers. Horizontal axis turbine's are generally used in high wind area's. Horizontal axis turbine's must be facing directly into the path of the wind and require sufficient wind speeds to start rotation. Vertical axis turbine's such as the Savonius rotor are self starting in design principle and only require low volume wind speeds for rotation. Other vertical axis turbine's such as the Darrieus are not very good self starting systems and require much higher wind speeds to commence rotation. This largely depends on the actual design principle. However, vertical axis turbine's are becoming more popular because of the lack of complex build components required and as with horizontal axis designs, are not prone to true rotational balance issues. Vertical axis rotation turbine's such as the Savonius are very simplistic in design and can be built for little cost. They will provide sufficient low voltage electrical energy for many self sufficiency and alternative lifestyle applications. Wind Turbines - Technical Manual The Back Shed - DIY Windmills O'Conner Wind Energy - Revolutionary Hush Wind Turbine Scoraig Wind Electric - Hugh Piggott Superturbine - High efficiency wind farm projects Superturbine - Small capacity mounted turbine projects Swift Wind Turbine Concept D400 Wind Turbine Gual-Industries Wind Turbine Vertical axis wind turbine's Wind Stuff Now - Horizontal axis wind turbine's Otherpower - Wind Turbine Projects and Resources
Micro hydro, water turbines, associated technologies.... Micro hydro or water turbines provide a constant supply of low voltage electrical energy where permanent water flow is readily available. You can find a more comprehensive graphical representation and complete micro-hydro build project in the self sufficiency section of the Author's e-book. Micro hydro turbine resource - Technical Manual
SVO - WVO, Straight or Waste vegetable oils, Biofuels.... Vegetable oil crops can be grown for the purpose of producing an alternative Diesel fuel. The diesel engine was designed by Dr. Rudolph Diesel and demonstrated at the exhibition fair Paris France in 1898 running on Peanut oil. This was almost two decades before Hydrocarbons could be refined to produce a costly alternative fuel to that of the free and readily grown vegetable oil's which Dr. Diesel had originally intended his diesel engine to run on. SVO / WVO - Straight or waste vegetable oil as diesel fuel Biofuels - biodiesel production Biofuel library Biogas Digester Construction Methane Digester - Basic Construction
Low voltage LED lamps and bulbs.... LED Lights Australia and World Wide LED Lights Australia - Low Voltage Long Life Bulbs Earthtorch - Solar Powered LED Torch Candles, Waxes, Multi-fuel pressure lanterns.... Vegetable oils can also be used for cooking, heating, and lighting, providing fuel for a wide range of oil lanterns, including multi-fuel pressure lanterns. A candle making and associated products resource page Austramax multi-fuel pressure lanterns Britelyt multi-fuel pressure lanterns
Masonry brick ovens, cast iron stoves, ovens and cookers, cob ovens, solar ovens and cookers.... Masonry Brick Ovens - Resource Page for DIY External or Internal Baking and Cooking Ovens Scandia - Cast Iron Stoves, Ovens and Heating MrStoves - Cast Iron Stoves and Ovens Pivotstove - Cast Iron Stoves and Ovens Northcoast Cob Oven - A resource page The Cobb Oven - Portable Cobb Oven and Cooker Earthgarden - Cob Oven Building Project Journey-to-forever network - Solar Cooking Resources Solar Cooking Organisation Solar Cooking Organisation - Plans and Projects Rotary Solar Ovens - High capacity solar cooking ovens Sun Ovens International Sun Ovens International - High capacity cooking for remote and regional areas Sun Ovens International - Convenient and efficient low capacity cooking Jennifer's Solar Cookery Page Cook With The Sun - Solar Cooking Resources Humboldt.edu - Parabolic Solar Cooking Project
Low voltage cooling devices, technologies.... Build a Peltier device 12 volt fridge, no moving parts, gases, or compressor - Oatley Electronics Australia Techni-ice Products - High quality marine grade ice boxes - Easily converted to 12 volt Peltier fridges
Water storage systems - universal liquids - bulk storage systems - farm applications.... Rain Water Harvesting Rain Water Harvesting - PDF Manual Team Poly - Water Storage and Management Systems
Permaculture, food dehydrating, basic solar dehydrator, preserves, dried food concentrates.... Fruit and peel prepared and sun dried, will last for months in dry storage, providing a rich food-energy resource. Vegetable produce can be prepared and preserved, lasting many months or years at a time. Dried citrus peel can be ground to a powder and used for clothes washing, laundry and cleaning applications. Citrus pulp can be dried and ground to a powder and kept in dry storage for many months or years, and used as pure juice powder concentrate by adding water. Rosneath - Permaculture Rosneath - Table of Contents Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Kits Solar food dehydrators DIY - build your own food dehydrator Solar food dehydrator project Preparation and drying, long life food products, household products.... Food production and dehydrating resources Food dehydrating Food drying guide Food dehydrating resources General household cleaning products and solutions, general health.... Vinegar is produced from grapes for food, cooking, and used in household cleaning applications. Eucalyptus oil is distilled from Eucalyptus leaves and used as a general household cleaning solution. Tea tree oil is also distilled from the branches of the tea tree, and used as a general antiseptic for cuts and wounds.
Dry composting system resources and technologies, DIY composting toilets, high quality organic growing medium production.... Composting Toilet Technical Manual Composting System Composting Toilet - PDF Manual Rotaloo Clivusmultrum Nature Loo Composting Resources Humanure - Resources Humanure Manual Humanure - PDF Manual DIY composting toilet system by David Parsons DIY composting toilet - System design principle A composting toilet system resource page kjbdsd.com, hydrocarbonuniverse.com, and the hydrocarbon universe web site, remains the intellectual and legal property of KJB DYNAMIC SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENTS - ABN 88996519952 |
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