Eastford man making his own energy

[Champ]

Eastford -- A homeowner has turned a river on his property into an energy source which generates enough that Connecticut Light and Power gives him a check every month.

Rick Mackowiak's passion for power has resulted in a 13-year project to turn a river and a dam on his property into a hydro-electric plant. The dam creates a small pond behind it and that is where the project began.

"I divert a small portion of the river down (the) canal,"said Mackowiak.

The dam needed repairs, as did the canal, which channels the water to the turbine. The water turns a turbine which runs a generator and produces about 5 kilowats of electricity.

"We use a little more than half of what we produce and whatever we don't use we sell back to the utility company,"said Mackowiak,"CL&P sends us a check every month for that extra power."

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1874411

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. There are quite a few people doing similar things

Running solar power, or windmills, or other nifty ways to produce energy and providing for all their own needs plus having some left over to sell to the energy companies.

I hope someday I can have a house that makes power. So when people say, "Damn, had a $200 electric bill last month" I can say, "HA! I *charged* the electric company $200!"

[Champ]

3. Haha

I'd bet anyone would love to say that.

[DarkPhenyx]

4. If you can afford it...

...go for the photo volteic shingles.

[DarkPhenyx]

2. Living off the grid.

The house I'm looking for will not only have enough space for a solar array but will also have a well. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay someone for something that is supposed to be free.

[Dover]

7. There are plans on the board to charge well owners in some states.

You might consider supplimenting your well with rainwater collection.

[DarkPhenyx]

9. Thanks for the update.

Do you have a source or is this something heard in passing?

[Dover]

11. I read that it is under consideration, but no one is talking about it

very loudly because it would cause major protest amongst landowners.
Not sure where/when I read it, but check with your state's water board and find out what new or revised water laws are being considered.

[Dover]

5. EXCELLENT! Might want to post this in the Env./Energy/Science area too.

Very uplifting to hear about these things.

[Champ]

6. Sounds like a good idea

Thanks.

[Don_G]

8. It's Not Difficult

The main problem is designing the turbine wheel to make effective use of the force of the water. The Mother Earth News had plans for one about 30 years ago.

[Az]

10. Somebody down the street is living off the grid via gas generator

And it is annoying the living daylights out of everyone. The thing makes a ton of racket and runs day and night. I am all for alternate energy sources but this is just stupid and annoying.

[hunter]

12. Weird...

And expensive. Maybe they are stealing gas? Did they piss off the utility company by stealing electricity to grow, um, "indoor plants," so now they can't get reconnected? Are they growing "indoor plants" now? Did the wiring in their house scare the inspector?

So many questions... But don't worry, if they are using a typical inexpensive generator set it will die soon.

But if they are making methane out of cow poop or something, and using that to run their generator, they probably have the resources to build a sound proof shed for their generator, and it is probably safe to ask them to do that.