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From: frost@sdsu.UUCP (Richard Frost)
Newsgroups: sci.research,sci.space,sci.environment,misc.headlines,sci.misc
Subject: Re: Success with cold fusion reported
Summary: About those utility costs
Message-ID: <3634@sdsu.UUCP>
Date: 4 Apr 89 16:56:28 GMT
References: <18213@glacier.STANFORD.EDU> <3451@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu> <4182@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Organization: San Diego State University, Math/Sciences Dept.
Lines: 35

In article <4182@ttidca.TTI.COM>, hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath) writes:
> In article <1052@elmgate.UUCP> maa@elmgate.UUCP (Mark Armstrong SOFT) writes:
> [...]
> }Why do you think it would be more efficient to produce your own electricity
> }instead of buying it from utilities?? What would be the cost of such system,
> }$5,000 sounds realistic. ...
> 
> That's about what I cost it out to.  I'd cheerfully pay $5000 to be energy
> independent.
> 
> }... How about maintanence cost, $500 per year. ...
> 
> A quart of heavy water has enough energy to power my house for the rest of
> my life and beyond.  The only moving parts are in the generator (probably
> a stirling cycle engine.  Steam turbines aren't efficient enough at that
> scale).  Under current law, the utilities are required to buy any excess
> power I can generate and put on the grid.  I'll bet I can break even on
> maintenance just doing that.
 
*** Note ***

Although utility companies are required to by any excess power you generate
YOU are responsible for purchasing a synchonous interface to the grid ( a
synchronous inverter if you're generating DC) plus a new meter and pay for
periodic calibration inspections by the utility company.

So if there is any merit to the giant 'hill of salt' speculation that we
could all have fusion generators in our backyard, be prepared to add an
additional $1500 to your overhead costs plus $100 to your annual cost.


Richard Frost		E-mail:	sdsu!frost@ucsd.edu

- a scientist is someone who learns more and more about less and less
  until they know everything about nothing!	(Ziman)