This morning the group met with Professor Gallagher for the second time to give her a progress update. Initially there was some skepticism as to the possibility of the bicycle being a plausible and/or worthwhile solution to the wildlife center’s problems. Furthermore, the bicycle system might cost more than it was worth, the intitial investment being far greater than the overall savings. However, Professor Gallagher suggested a reevaluation of the current information. Initial estimates of the power needed to run the aforementioned appliances such as the lights, satellite internet, and water pump, had assumed full usage every day. However, the group can slightly lower the estimated daily power use by determining more factual daily usage amounts. For example, the water barrel holds 300 gallons of water, but the center doesn’t use 300 gallons a day. These new numbers will improve the ablility to determine which appliances the bicycle would be able to sustain. kWh estimates for the appliances and bicycle will be posted within the next few days.
Another idea was mentioned during the meeting that is separate from the bicycle. This is to continue using the generator, but to use it to charge batteries. The wildlife center would then be able to use these batteries to run the necessary appliances, charge computers, and so on. It is suspected that a lot of energy is lost when using the generator so this system could potentially save a large amount of energy and gasoline.
As previously stated, prior to meeting with Professor Gallagher, some preliminary research had been done regarding energy usage. Several estimated kWh had been calculated based upon estimated wattage [1] and are as follow:
Lighting: 0.768 kWh a day
Satellite Internet: 0.292 kWh a day
Laptops: 0.3-0.6 kWh a day
The total kWh from the above information would be 1.36 to 1.66 kWh a day. This is also assuming that the lights are compact fluorescent lights. If the lights are incandescent, they would require 2.88 kWh a day, which means a total of 3.4-3.7 kWh a day.
Some research has also been conducted in an attempt to determine how much energy can be produced from a bicycle. The best estimate that has been found is 1.5 kWh per 6 hours of cycling [2], which amounts to 0.25 kWh per hour or cycling. This doesn't account for the power loss during the process of conversion. No data was found estimating the amount of power lost during conversion, so two different calculations were done using 25% loss and 50% loss. With 25% loss and fluorescent lights, one would need to cycle for 8 hours a day. With 50% loss and fluorescent lights, one would need to cycle for 12 hours a day. With incandescent lights it would be 19 hours and 28 hours respectively.
[1] "Solar Electric System Sizing Step 1 - Determine Your Power Consumption Demands". Internet: http://www.solardirect.com/pv/systems/gts/gts-sizing-power.html, [April 26, 2012].
[2] Strzelecki R., Jarnut M., Benysek G.,: Exercise bike powered generator for fitness club appliances, 2007.
As previously stated, prior to meeting with Professor Gallagher, some preliminary research had been done regarding energy usage. Several estimated kWh had been calculated based upon estimated wattage [1] and are as follow:
Lighting: 0.768 kWh a day
Satellite Internet: 0.292 kWh a day
Laptops: 0.3-0.6 kWh a day
The total kWh from the above information would be 1.36 to 1.66 kWh a day. This is also assuming that the lights are compact fluorescent lights. If the lights are incandescent, they would require 2.88 kWh a day, which means a total of 3.4-3.7 kWh a day.
Some research has also been conducted in an attempt to determine how much energy can be produced from a bicycle. The best estimate that has been found is 1.5 kWh per 6 hours of cycling [2], which amounts to 0.25 kWh per hour or cycling. This doesn't account for the power loss during the process of conversion. No data was found estimating the amount of power lost during conversion, so two different calculations were done using 25% loss and 50% loss. With 25% loss and fluorescent lights, one would need to cycle for 8 hours a day. With 50% loss and fluorescent lights, one would need to cycle for 12 hours a day. With incandescent lights it would be 19 hours and 28 hours respectively.
[1] "Solar Electric System Sizing Step 1 - Determine Your Power Consumption Demands". Internet: http://www.solardirect.com/pv/systems/gts/gts-sizing-power.html, [April 26, 2012].
[2] Strzelecki R., Jarnut M., Benysek G.,: Exercise bike powered generator for fitness club appliances, 2007.
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