Photos by Pixabay, Amol Mande, and Wired Optics
Energy: Independence, Security & Self-Sufficiency
How is energy independence different from energy security?
Energy security is generally applied at a national level and indicates the national security of energy infrastructure. “The IEA defines energy security as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.”
So, what does energy security mean for individuals and families?
In this context, we’re talking more about energy independence, which means that a home or business has energy resources that are independent of the national power grid. Energy independence provides a level of security that your needed appliances, refrigerator, HVAC system, and stove will work when required.
But it also includes managing your energy usage as well.
This article will discuss managing your usage and identifying ways to incorporate new resources into your home or business to make your energy usage less dependent on others (the power company or the national electrical grid).
Energy Self-Sufficiency in your Home or Business
So, what exactly is energy self-sufficiency? The term generally means a home or business that can generate enough energy from renewable sources that it does not require any energy from the public power grid.
In this context, energy self-sufficiency is nearly synonymous with energy independence.
However, the generation of energy is only part of the equation. This approach also includes saving as much power as possible throughout the structure.
This concept includes several things.
- Insulation
- Electrification
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Storage
Let’s look at each of these individually.
Insulation
It’s essential to ensure that your home has the best possible (and affordable) insulation.
Insulation in your attic area is crucial, but don’t forget walls. And windows have historically been a massive source of wasted heat or cold.
Windows, especially, can be a significant investment.
But considering the overall potential for reducing energy usage, installing high-quality windows is well worth the investment.
Electrification
This concept may seem counter-intuitive. It’s switching all of your appliances to electric versions.
Getting Energy-Star-approved new appliances that verify they are as energy-efficient as possible is vital.
Doing this reduces your dependence on natural gas applications, such as stoves, water heaters, and heating systems.
Further, use LED light bulbs in all of your lighting fixtures. And begin converting all of your small devices (flashlights, portable speakers, etc.) into rechargeable versions to reduce the consumption of disposable batteries.
Many advocates of power conservation also suggest that unplugging all electrical devices when they are not in use can reduce even the slightest trickle of energy drain.
Getting everything that needs power to run on electricity leads to the next phase.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources are where the rubber hits the road for true energy independence and personal energy security.
Renewable energy includes multiple sources.
- Solar Panels
- Hydro-Electric Systems
- Wind Turbines
While many communities are installing large solar farms with many solar panels taking up much land space, individual solar installations are much less intrusive.
Most buildings, whether commercial structures or dwellings, have sufficient space on their rooftops to place solar panels capable of producing adequate energy for the needs of that structure.
Let’s take a closer look at each type of system.
Solar Panels
There are two types of solar panels: thermal and photovoltaic (PV). The solar cells on each panel type also come in two varieties: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Thermal solar panels produce heat, whereas PV panels produce electricity. Thermal panels are more efficient, but PV panels are generally used for residential installations because they require a smaller installation footprint.
Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient than polycrystalline cells at harnessing the sun’s rays. However, polycrystalline panels are less expensive and are well-suited to areas with high sun volume.
The black monocrystalline cells are created as a cylinder and then sliced into circular discs. They are then trimmed to an octagonal shape to fit tightly together inside the panel frame.
Monocrystalline panels typically have an efficiency range of 15% to 20%, although newer models reach nearly 50% efficiency.
The blue polycrystalline cells are square. They fit much closer together and are cheaper and easier to make, thus allowing them to be less expensive on the common market.
The 13%–16% polycrystalline efficiency ratings don’t seem much less than their monocrystalline counterparts until that difference gets multiplied across many panels.
It’s wise to consider this difference in energy production per installation size in addition to the overall cost of the system. It doesn’t help to spend less on materials if you’re not producing sufficient energy.
Hydro-Electric Systems
Micro-hydropower system is the term used to refer to a hydroelectric power system for homes.
These systems carry specific requirements, including a source of moving water on the property and a natural vertical drop for that water flow.
Micro-hydropower systems are suitable for use in hilly or mountainous areas. But they also require permits, water rights, and significant planning to ensure they are optimal for your needs.
Accurate measurements of the location, the water flow rate, and other critical elements are crucial before determining whether this kind of system will be worth the time, money, and effort to install.
Wind Turbines
If you experience significant blowing wind on your property, a home wind turbine might be an alternative way to produce additional energy for your home.
As a clean and renewable energy source, wind can continue to produce energy after the sun sets. Using the two in conjunction helps keep your installation working efficiently.
Much like there are different types of solar panels, there are two types of wind turbines: horizontal and vertical.
Most of the enormous commercial wind turbines you see dotting the landscape are horizontal-axis turbines with a rudder to ensure the blades constantly face the oncoming wind.
Vertical-axis turbines are much smaller. Their blades are usually S- or H-shaped or have semi-circular blades.
Years of use and research have proven that horizontal-axis turbines are more efficient than vertical turbines and that the larger the installation, the more efficient it is.
But that is not to say that a residential installation of wind turbines or distributed (small) wind power isn’t possible or applicable.
Homeowners can mount smaller turbines of either variety on rooftops due to their size.
As micro-hydropower needs a strong water flow, wind power requires a substantial, nearly constant wind volume to keep the blades turning with enough velocity to generate electricity.
However, as a supplement to solar panels, wind turbines can substantially support power generation.
Energy Storage
For energy independence, energy production in and of itself isn’t enough; you need a storage medium.
If energy production were a constant with any of these systems, you wouldn’t need a storage system. But that is never the case.
Many different things can interfere with efficient power production through naturally renewable means.
Cloudy days interfere with efficiency in solar panels, drought conditions can contribute to flow rate issues with micro-hydropower systems, and without a strong wind, your turbine won’t produce much energy.
Hence the need for power storage. Think batteries.
Again, there are multiple types of batteries to choose from.
- Lead-Acid Batteries
- Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Flow Batteries
Deep-cycle lead-acid batteries have been the traditional battery system used for solar installations. The technology behind these batteries is 160 years old.
While deep-cycle lead-acid batteries are robust, reliable, and relatively inexpensive, they are more challenging to use and require much knowledge to maintain correctly.
Recent improvements in lithium-ion batteries have now made them much more affordable. In 2015, the advent of the Tesla Powerwall battery brought lithium-ion battery storage into the mainstream for home use.
Flow batteries are currently enormous and costly. However, recent innovations are turning flow batteries into a more economical option.
What is Net Metering?
Any discussion of adding solar panels to your home must include net metering information.
So, exactly, what is net metering?
You generate energy when you install solar panels on your home or business. Sometimes, your solar panels produce more power than your structure needs at that moment. Usually, this happens during the peak hours of the day, when the sun is at its highest point.
With a net-metering agreement with your power company, your excess energy gets fed back onto the public power grid, and your electric company “banks” it for you.
After the sun sets, your home or business may need more power than your backup systems have accumulated. The public grid then feeds power back to you, drawing from your “bank.”
Most power companies that participate in net metering will settle up with owners of solar systems at the end of the year, cashing out excess banked power or billing for a shortage.
There are drawbacks to this coexistence.
Some power companies cash out the excess banked KWh at wholesale prices. Meaning the power company gets to keep the difference between what they pay you for providing power and what they charge other customers for using it.
Additionally, net metering doesn’t permanently alleviate the peak draw at sunset, when solar producers begin drawing power at the same time most other customers are getting home and firing up all their devices and appliances.
Managing Household Electric Usage
There are several factors you can consider to manage your household energy usage effectively for energy independence.
- Thermostat
- Systems maintenance
- Keep the weather out
- Water heater temperature
- Cooking and washing
- Phantom loads
Thermostat Settings
You can save as much as 3% on energy costs for every degree you set your thermostat cooler in winter and warmer in summer.
Further changes when you are not at home or overnight can contribute to additional savings, too.
HVAC Systems Maintenance
Give your heating and air conditioning systems an annual checkup, thus ensuring that they are operating at peak efficiency.
Change your filters monthly to maintain appropriate air flow levels so the equipment doesn’t have to work so hard.
Keep the Weather Out
Closing the blinds or drapes can keep your interior temperatures steady, thereby reducing the time your heating and cooling systems must run.
Cover windows at night in the winter and during the day in the summer for the best results.
Water Heater Temperature
You can save up to 5% of your water heating costs by reducing your tank temperature by 10 degrees.
Additionally, you can help maintain a constant temperature without adding energy usage by covering your tank with an insulated blanket.
Insulating the hot water pipes in the house can help ensure your water is still hot when it reaches the faucets.
Cooking and Washing
If you use your oven to cook, pre-heat as little as possible to use less energy and reduce the overall heat in the kitchen.
Consider pre-cooking in the microwave and completing it in the oven to reduce oven usage further.
Clothes washing is another area where you can conserve energy. Wash in the cold cycle when possible. Try to wash only full loads to save on water and energy consumption.
Using a clothes dryer consumes a lot of energy. You could set up a clothes rack or indoor clothesline to air dry your laundry.
When you do use a dryer, clean the lint filter after every load. Ensuring optimal air flow helps the machine work better and avoids fire hazards, too.
Phantom Loads
What are “phantom loads?”
No, we’re no longer talking laundry.
A phantom load is the amount of electricity an electrical device pulls when turned off. You would think turning it off means it’s not drawing power, but that is not true in many cases.
TVs and computers are two of the most common instances of phantom loads.
The best remedy for the phantom load is to use a power strip to plug in your devices and turn the strip off overnight while sleeping.
Bonus: Adding Water to the Mix
When considering self-sufficiency, it’s more than just power. Do you consider how much water your household uses?
Water from a municipal water source uses enormous power to filter, disinfect, and pump clean, fresh water to many households and businesses throughout the day and night.
Reducing the amount of water you use can lower the community’s overall power consumption. Which in turn reduces the load on the power grid.
But you can also diminish your need for public water consumption through water collection (rain barrels) and recycling wastewater (grey water).
Remember that collecting rainwater for consumption requires extensive systems, including gutters, gutter guards, downspouts, diverters, rain barrels, and layers of screens to ensure water quality.
Even collecting storm water for gardening or toilets lessens your dependence on public supplies.
Enhancing water efficiency can also diminish the demand for energy in your household.
As an added project, water independence is an expensive venture. Purity testing to ensure your family’s health is a vital concern.
But for true self-sufficiency, the time, effort, and cost can be worth it in the long run.
Taking the Next Step
Now that you have learned about energy self-sufficiency, and independence, you can make informed choices about what to change in your home.
Recognizing that the terms are mostly the same thing, with a few minor differences, can help you determine the level you want to get to.
You can confidently decide which types of renewable energy will be most effective in your situation.
And there are easy and affordable steps you can take immediately to reduce your energy consumption, even before you establish your own power systems.
It’s time to start planning your energy independence today.