Sunday, October 29, 2006
Posted at 2:14 PM UT
by
Tamara
Grundfos SQF-3 Pumps
10 101 SQFlex Control Boxes
and the CU 200 SQFlex
Control Boxes
will be featured in the segments on Water and Wells
for their ability to be powered directly
from Photovoltaic Panels
with a back up of generator power when needed.
Demonstrations of set up will be occurring for
a 500 foot deep well which is located at a
saddle point on a forty acre mountain top
location where the series is being filmed.
Water will be lifted an additional 500 foot of
rise via multiple water tanks and pumping
stations to a holding tank which will be
designed into the roof gardens of the 2
bedroom, 2 bath home, currently in design
phases, to allow on call, gravity feed water to
the home, garden, and outstructures on the
lands.
From the Ground Up
now has its own website at
http://TLS-FromtheGroundUp.blogspot.com
Information on the series will be posted here as well as at the master
Broadcast Website for
Tamara Lynn Scott
at
http://TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com
Grundfos Pumps were chosen because they
can be driven on
direct hook up to Solar Panels,
as well as being able to be powered through
a generator as a back up.
Segments demonstrating the installation of the
pump and control boxes are currently in
pre-production planning.
Find out more about Grundfos at
www.grundfos.com
Friday, October 20, 2006
Posted at 8:26 PM UT
by
Tamara
The following are
Design Inspirations on the
Prototype Energy Efficient Design to be created on a forty
acre mountain top.
Style: Modern Temple
Maintainence Free Exteriors of colorized, striated cements,
adobes, frescos, sculptured with body molds like the Palace
of Fine Arts.
1450 square foot Interior.
Three or more times that amount in semi-sheltered,
glassed, screened, rainprotected exterior patio and lanai space.
Maximum Height allowed is 28 foot high ceilings in the great
open area/ library room - housing 10,000 books being
recycled from the Libraries - with cat walks for access to
books, and with double wide glassed arched doorways out to
patio rooftop sheltered rooms and walkabouts.
This space can be easily enclosed with a second floor at a
latter date, should additional footage be needed - so
doors.windows, skylights on the north, all in place for
that easy potential.
Minimum 8 foot wide, 4 feet deep, 40 foot long- rainwater
collection/fed/
lap pool with the western sunset side as
endless horizon design- non rectangular–filtered - gravity fed
to garden and additional storage.
Possible Solar Powered Ozoned for purification - chemical free.
Pool may need to be sheltered against ingress of rodents,
insects, animals - in its own, structure, open high 18 foot
screened/
glassed/opening room - with roof that is
patio/lookout space.
Central focus of a fire circle and Hot Tub - with western
views of sunset and pool.
Roof overhangs of 6 feet for covered walkarounds on first
level. - and to provide shelter for all east.south.west glass.
Velux Skylights on Northern sloped roofs.
Maximum usage of All building materials,
Such as utilizing the foundation walls as bermed pantry,
wine cellar, basement recreation level room - or base of the
soaring great room 28 foot high library, entrance hall, living,
dining, kitchen.
Opening double wide doors - Sliding glass - with screens -
Usage of Arched doors, circular and arched windows, hand
carved doors, and of Jeld Wen.Auralast woods for interiors
Exterior and moisture temp conservatories of Milgard Vinyl.
Wooden cabinets to close off storage inset in all walls can also
utilize Jeld-Wen doors, stained glass - original patterns.-
Double Wide -Circle door motif for Entrance -
Use Arched double wide with side panels -for upper patio
door -
Light with recessed and sculptured lights - scones on walls -
ambient temple lighting.
Creative usage of light in translucent floor and wall areas.
Creative flow of water through etched cement and
tiled/marbled channels -rather than raingutters - feeding
waterfalls, fountains, and rainstorage.
Maximized usage of all walls for closed storage.
Bookshelving- closet-
Ecotimber interior woods, Oaks, Bamboos, Cherry,
Mahogany, inlays.
Exterior pillars hide storage space.
Built in seating conceals storage.
STAIRWAY exterior:
Large Nauticus type Circular stairway with marble mosaic
sunburst centered for flooring , or similar pattern in woods -
radiant heated – glassed for light -in– opening arched
casements - or combined with tile block, –marble insets in
walls - Translucent lights in walls and along pool inset in
transclucent tiles.
domed circular skylight above.
WATER temple
Dimension One Spas
Possible circular and inset into the ground with a circular
columned flat roofed/patio walkaround to circular exterior
stairs to roof patio walkarounds.
Pillars of mold formed cement dancers, and the Phoenix -
Theme of the reconstruction,
like the carved colums of Greek temples,
Formed with body sculpture molds -
Of plaster, or cement/ rastra block?
Or of Timber round collomns of the lands,
Or of criss crossed beams of some maintainence free
material.
Materials used must be placed for longevity in usage.
Woods for the interiors, of Ecotimber
Structural walls and roofs and floors by Weyerhauser
Bermed Pantries, Winerooms, and lower levels of Rastra
Block.
Uppermost slanted roof of Authentic slate like recycled roofing.
Roof Patio of Stepstone Roof Pavers
Walkaround Patios of Stepstone Cement Pavers
Ambient lighting by Malibu Solar Walklights
Rainwater collection Tanks by Funke International
D-Rainwater Tanks
Erosion Control for parking by Golpla
Recycled Plastics
Kitchen Energy Efficient Appliances by Bosch
Inset into the walls, Cabinet doors a possibility to hide all.
Kitchen sinks by Toto-
or creative slabs of clay, one of kind glass artbowls and
ceramics created for the Kitchen, bath,
Creative usages of re-cycled tiles, marbles, glass bottles in
garden art demonstration areas.
Water Saving toilets by Toto
And water systems that recycle several times prior to
becoming greywater for the garden.
Composting waterless non electric toilet by Sun-Mar
which might be set up at the Garden Yurt Site.
Bathroom Sinks, Matching Tubs, Toilets by
Americh, Zuma, Toto
Which may be incorporated in the two interior bathrooms, or
in an outdoor bathing/temple setting in the ground garden
level, or on the roof top patio.
Exterior concrete steps by Stepstone Inc.
Coping for pool, firecircles by Stepstone, Inc.
Patio Roof bedroom enclosed by sliding glass and screened area .
Skylights on Northern Sloped areas above sleeping areas.
Fireplace on west wall –living room - indoor/outdoor – at knee
level, with storage for wood beneath - hearth wide enough (
3 feet ) to lay down on.
Fireplace coiled with copper pipe as back-up for indoor bath or
outdoor hot-tub
Fireplace designed with baking chambers, and geared for
cooking. With open floor plan to kitchen and dining.
Outdoor face of fireplace facing outdoor dining area, sitting area
Bathing Swimming and hot tub
Utilize Vinyl Windows and Doors for the
indoor/outdoor/screened rooms.
In clear glassed room - Milgard Vinyl glass doors - bathroom
with Americh Jacussi tubs, inset into the ground level.
Second bath- by Zuma in largely glassed doored soaking on
roof patio level bedroom
And as an indoor/outdoor Water Bathing Temple in the
Garden, removed from the main home.
All living outdoor rooms must be enclosed by screen against
insects, rodents, raccoons, snakes, lizards, and mountain
lions.
Pool - more spectacular with endless edge to the west, and
surrounded by patio - Stepstone Pavers and Coping..
Roof surrounded with built in seating, to hide water storage
tanks, wood storage, and other underneath and in walls.
1 cement, colorized matching flooring and walls -
Rain troughs in striated cement flooring to funnel into pool
storage,
And on the roof rain barrel storage for gravity feed to pools
and hot tub refill/shower
Roof extended over walkarounds below on first floor –
Pool walkaround, roof covered – columned around pool
Outdoor shower at poolside
Main Hall Great room entrance from
entrance /side foyer/ cold room/ dramatic double door
feature - Jeld-Wen Circular Wood - or Arched Double Wide
- something dramatic/stiking.
Sconed lights on walls of stone striated colorized
cement/adobe/stone exteriors - maintainence free.
Create an Energy Room separate from the home, in a garage
which can be used as an art studio - glass doored walls to
balconies and terrace - Batteries - 8 Deka 6 volt Gel Cells -
in well ventilated area - non-burnable - cement slab floors,
stained/etched with sunburst.
Inverters, Ac and Dc Disconnects, hidden behind well
vented cabinet doors inset into wall.
The Main Great hall - Rotunda-Cathedral -Ceremonial - living
Utilizing creative triangles, circles, arches, stained and
etched glass, skylights, library.
Fireplace north or western walls for baking, cooking inbuilt
back up water heat copper coils to hot tub, and to roof hot
water tub/shower.
Interior stairway more compact wood craftsman-storage under
stairs and along walls up to windows…for ease of
movement, with landings, full heighted, or multipaned
patterned, or arched, and opening
windows.
Possible exit at stairlanding, through double door arches to
north deck cantilevered out amid the trees.
This Structure may address the four directions of light and
view, in a rotunday, circular roofed, skylighted area,
Or as a cross with light, doors, lined up to see from a central
hearth point - where can be laid marble mosaic sunburst and
the Phoenix.
Light and View and Exit out to the 4 directions
With central halls meeting in circular
Floor patterns, circular, opened, skylighted to the uppermost
level - heart central point.
Second Floor, 28 foot high room, half bermed into the
mountainside, south face, patio on flat roof open air area-
lookout to south, east, and west.
In a structure curved around the front, south face of the
mountain, the Roof Patio might be at same level as the
mountain top, extending flat usable space,
With mountain top used for outdoor fire circle in the
center/heart of the mountain top,
Surrounded by outdoor pool with endless edge to the west,
Or small temple bath and bedroom on the northeast point, or
circular outdoor stairway
To roof patio down to parking level- basement-bermed half
of great rooms on the southwest or southeast areas.
Great Room can have openbeamed roof,
flat with patio area on top,
And can be fully covered over on the roof patio by a
screened, glassed, and semi-enclosed overroof, like in
Polynesia, where the upper level is mostly open with pocket
doors that open up great areas, protected from rains,
screened against insects - semi glassed/doored with Large
Vinyl Conservatory sliding doors -
By Milgard or Jeld-Wen.
In a structure bermed into the center of the mountain top 10
feet submerged, and 18 feet extended above ground, with
covered walkabouts, Roof Patio, patially protected sleeping,
bathing, fireplace.
Pool with walls of glass block transparent -and of rastra block
for carved forms,
Body sculpture in some pillared structural walls/frescoed..
Fed by waterfalls when rains run - overflow into water
containment by
D-Raintank.
Root celler on the northernmost bermed room, next to Wine
Cellar
Natural Light from Walkouts in all 4 direction through double
wide glass doors.
Flooring some cement – colorized, striated like natural stone,
to match exterior walls, appearance of ancient stone temple
unifying – radiant floor heating – by solar panels at ground
level, or rooftop and solar pumped throughout,
For outdoor and water prone moisture areas - where marble
mosaic can be created.
Indoor floors of warm woods by Ecotimber, radiant heated
wood panels,
By Warmboards.
Wall Cabinects of Ecotimber, or etched glass doors by Jeld-Wen.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Posted at 7:10 PM UT
by
Tamara
Sun Mar
has entered the series:
From the Ground Up
with the Excel Non Electric, Waterless,
composting toilet which will be set up
alongside the Yurt and the portable
cement decking pavers, and garden steps
featured with Stepstone Inc. Pavers.
Such a set will demonstrate quick shelters
which can be moved,
along with all the components of the set up,
Providing the public with emergency housing,
and temporary, non-permanent shelters and
systems which are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Posted at 5:49 PM UT
by
Tamara
The Great American Yurt
has entered the series
with their 14 foot Yurt,
seen here in the first rehearsal
set up by the volunteer crews
on a movable cement deck of Pavers
by Stepstone
setting the stage,
who has also entered the series
with their great arrays of cement products.
The Yurt will be later set up on a Trex Deck
on a less windy site,
where it can be better anchored into the Deck with screws.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Posted at 12:30 PM UT
by
Tamara
Timbron International
is entering the series,
From the Ground Up
with their environmentally friendly
moldings.
Timbron is composed of 75% post consumer plastics,
and 15% pre-consumer plastics,
mainly polystyrene, a popular shipping
material that is nondegradable,
providing a sustainable closed loop
manufacturing system, and a durable,
long-lasting waterproof, mold and mildew
resistant, termite and insect proof molding
which is great for high moisture areas, such
as laundry, bath, kitchen, porches, and
entry.
Timbron moldings can also be recycled at the end
of their useful life and have a low (practically
negligent) VOC content. Not only is Timbron a
great environmental product, it is also durable,
waterproof, mold and mildew resistant, and
termite proof (eliminating the need for toxic
pesticides). You can cut, nail, glue, sand, and
paint Timbron – Just like wood.
Learn more about Timbron at
www.timbron.com
Learn more about the Broadcast Cable Series
From the Ground Up
at
www.TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Posted at 8:13 PM UT
by
Tamara
Broadcast Cable Series:
From the Ground Up
Creating Environmentally Friendly,
Energy Self-Reliant
Homes and Systems
Visit Tamara Lynn Scott Broadcasts at
http://TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com
Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors
will be coming into the series:
From the Ground Up
featuring AuraLast wood windows
and doors made from solid pine.
AuraLast wood, which provides
superior protection against wood
decay, water absorption, and
termite infestation, is
Supported with a 20 year warranty.
The Possi Custom Collection and the
Norco Premium Collection carry the
Good Housekeeping Seal.
Details on these products can be
found at
www.jeld-wen.com/auralast
The American Architectural
Manufacturers Association ( AAMA)
and the Window and Door
Manufacturers Association ( WDMA)
have certified many of the Jeld-
Wen Windows and Doors, proof that
the products meet highest
standards for performance and
energy efficiency.
Interior molded doors have earned
Green Cross certification because
they feature 51 percent recovered
fiber ( on a dry fiber basis), and
contain materials originating from
FSC certified forests that are
managed for sustainability.
Many Jeld-Wen windows and doors
are ENERGY STAR qualified which
means they exceed minimum energy
efficiency criteria for the
climate region in which you live,
sometimes by as much as 40
percent.
Manufacturing Plants are
vertically integrated to fully
utilize all natural resources,
sharing materials so by-
products generated at one
millwork plant are utilized to
create finished products at
another.
Auralast wood is created with an
environmentally friendly
vacuum/pressure process, water
based, to reduce hazardous air
pollutant emissions by more
than 96 percent compared to
traditional dip or envelope
treatments which protect only
the surface of woods. Nails and
screw holes will not compromise
the integrity of AuroLast
woods, 100 percent protected
from surface to the core.
In addition, Jeld-Wen protects
the glass by utilizing
Preserve, a water based
adhesive film which contains
no harmful chemicals or by-
products which can be removed
once construction is finished
for easy clean up and
disposal.This protects your
glass from damage due to
scratching, ghosting from glass
labels, and other building
materials which settle on the
glass during construction and
is applied to both inner and
outer surfaces at the factory
A wide array of styles and
components ranging from steel
to fiberglass, vinyl, to
composite, to wood assures the
architectural team creating the
initial designs of the energy
self-reliant, environmentally
friendly home being constructed
for the series FROM the GROUND
UP, any type of styled housing,
a great pallet of choice,
color, and features and
promise to bring into the final
designs an innovatively
stunning result.
Visit Jeld-wen at
www.jeld-wen.com
Posted at 8:07 PM UT
by
Tamara
Rastra Building systems of Scottsdale Arizona,
Is joining in the series: " From the Ground Up"- creating
Environmentally Friendly, Energy Self Reliant Homes and
Living Systems,
Bringing into the architectural design their " Green",
Environmentally Correct - Rastra Block.
Rastra Block is a recycled cementitious foam block with open
cores that are stacked, grouted with concrete, and reinforced
with rebar, an Earth Friendly Concrete form system
Which originated 30 years ago in Austria,
made of a material called Thastryron,
Thermal acoustic Styrofoam concrete.
It is 85% recycled post consumer polystyrene waste,
Styrofoam, which does not naturally recycle for more than
two million years.
This waste material, currently filling our dumps,
is being chopped and mixed with a cementitious binder to
create instead a rebar reinforced concrete wall construction
system that provides a 10 inch thick wall rated at R-25
insulation, compared to R-19 ratings of standard frame
construction with fiberglass insulation, with no offgassing.
The Thermal mass of concrete provides the insulation
advantage..
It minimizes the use of lumber, conserving resources and
money.
Energy efficient, fire, frost, insect, mold, hurricane and
tornado resistant, it boasts near perfect vapor diffusion, and
provides soundproofing.
The China Academy of Building Research in Bejing tested the
Rastra walls under dynamic loads to withstand 8 point
earthquakes without measurable or visable damage,
Rastra provides a permanent framework for a grid of
reinforced concrete that uses less concrete than other
insulating concrete forms and has been used around the
world in all climates.
Environmentally friendly, each element is air dried. No energy
is used for curing.
1 KwH produces one Rastra element, 10 inches thick by 15
inches high by 10 feet long.
During production no byproducts are freed and all debris is
recycled into new elements, or other products.
Elements can be cut, rasped, routed, or carved into stunning
sculpture-like forms using tools common for wood-working.
Nitches, Arches, insets of bottles, glass, and other creative
formings can be achieved.
Plaster adheres without preparations of wire mesh or lath.
Tiles can be set with thinset. Gypsum board can be glued
directly to the walls or can be finished in stucco, plaster,
or drywall mud.
Exteriors are coated with waterproofing Rastra Skim, and
Rastracrete, or a spray on three layer urethane sealant
containing a colored glaze which comes with a 20 year warranty.
Learn more about Rastra at
www.rastra.com
Posted at 7:39 PM UT
by
Tamara
Authentic Roof,
by Crow Building Products Ltd.
Located in Ontario, Canada,
Will be bringing into the designs the Worlds First Recycled
Plymer and Rubber roofing slates.
Originally invented by James Crowe and designed to be an
improvement on real slate roofing, the Authentic Roof
2000FR is Underwriters listed. The old world charm of slate
with more durability, without the extreme weight, and with
affordable installation costs, will be capping off the designs
for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home which the Art Institute of San
Franciscos Green Architectural School and staff is
currently underway in designing.
Authentic Roofs are made from Baljemn TPO compounds, a
world first. Balgen is an alloy made of Polyethelene,
Polypropylene, and EPDM rubber, blended
homogenenously in a thermal reactor on a molecular level
without binding agents or plasticizers which are harmful to
the environment, molecularly DNA like stranded, not just a
bunch of stuff melted together.
This DNA like material cannot be separated once blended.
But to increase the ultra violet stability, flame rating, and
flex modulus can enhance its performance for other products such as roofing. Other alloys include brass, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Standard designed flashing materials can be used, with recommendation
for heavier gauge utilization, painted galvanized, zinc, or
copper.
The only product of its kind on the market made of TPO, with
UV package and anti-oxidants to protect it from the sun’s
ultra violet rays, with a 50 year limited warranty.
Hail resistant, TPO is utilized by car manufacturers worldwide
because of its durability in hot and cold weather, and its
small expansion/contraction ratio. A clean material which is
not polluting to the environment, is also extremely recyclable.
For more information on the product you may visit
www.authentic-roof.com
Posted at 7:28 PM UT
by
Tamara
ZUMA and AMERICH
Broadcast Cable Series
From the Ground Up
Bath Elements
The Zuma Collection is coming into the series
with a unique line of bathtubs and
accessories with the latest in whirlpool and
airbath therapeutic technology.
Created by premier designers, beautifully
crafted, the Winston collection in wood and
metal, available in walnut, maple, mahogany,
pine and oak finishes is being considered
for the design phases of a 2 bedroom, 2 bath
Energy Self-Reliant home currently
underway by the Art Institute of San
Francisco Green Design team, which
will be drawing architectural thinking and
students of architecture from around the
world.
These unique and beautiful creations match
the bath tub and the sinks in ensembles that
decoratively work together in striking form.
More information on Zuma may be found at
www.Zumacollection.com
The Americh line of unique whirlpool and
hydro massage airbaths , available in a great
variety of unique and decorative designs,
broadly paletted in colors, are also bringing
to the design teams great choices for the
bathing areas that will not only be
incorporated into the 2 interior bathing
areas,
But in the roof garden baths, and the water
temples being designed on a forty acre
mountain top located in the Santa Cruz
Mountains, California.
Individual air jets can be placed throughout
the floor and perimeter of the bathtub for a
totally personalized transcending experience
of muscle massage.
More information on Americh can be found at
www.americh.com
Posted at 7:01 PM UT
by
Tamara
Dimension One Spas enters the series FROM the GROUND UP with their Art and Innovative Designs of Hot Tubs.
Learn more about the Broadcast Cable Series at
www.TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com
FastFlo Heaters are one of the most durable and reliable spa heaters on the market with a 5-Year Unconditional Warranty and High-flow design which prohibits harmful mineral build-up.
Constructed of stainless steel, no-weld construction for longer life, large surface area and low density lowers heat costs.
Variable output provides optimal heat recovery and lower energy consumption.
D1 Spas are 100% polyurethane foam insulated with closed-cell urethane, like commercial freezers, to minimize heat loss and ensure the lowest energy costs possible.
Multi-density provides added structural integrity encapsulates plumbing to prevent leaks, absorbs equipment noise for quietest operation, and is an E.P.A compliant material.
The patented system of filters, purifies the spa water and uses less electricity than a 100-watt light bulb. 84% of energy used is returned as heat.
A low-consumption circulation pump of durable components for longer life offers virtually silent operation.
The architectural teams designing the prototype 2 bedroom, 2 bath, energy efficient homes will be utilizing the passive power of solar to further the energy efficiency of these well designed, self contained spas.
D1 UltraLife Spa shells are acrylic and require almost no maintenance.
Jets are adjustable for water volume, air flow and jet pressure.Raised bumps apply acupressure.
The UltraLounge offers pre-programmed sequences of massage patterns to six muscle group zones.
A patented NeckFlex pillow adjusts to fit height and comes with four interchangeable water-volume-adjustable jets.
A scrolling message center manages filtration temperature and self-diagnostic programs.
Osonization reduces chemical use, increasing energy efficiency.
Learn more about Dimension One Spas at
www.d1spas.com
Posted at 6:54 PM UT
by
Tamara
Quietside Corporation is joining the series FROM the GROUND UP, bringing Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Systems into the design process along with their QVM 9, an Energy Star approved Dual Purpose Hydronic Heat System for heating and DHW usage.
The QVM 9 unit is available in 3 capacities and has a 90% AFUE efficiency level.
It features sealed combustion and venting in Schedule 40 PVC or ABS.
Domestic Hot Water is provided on demand and will have priority over the heating demand until the call for DHW has completed.
The QSDHS system is available in 20, 50, and 80 gallon sizes, and consists of a tank, pump, and mixing valve.
This system is designed for use with the Quietside QVM9 DPHS and provides additional Domestic Hot Water production so that the unit can service Jacuzzi tubs and other high water usage devices, which require a greater flow rate than the QVM9 is capable of providing as a standalone device.
The tanks are manufactured from heavy gauge steel, and porcelain lined for a long life, and insulated with 2 inch non CFC blown foam with a powder coated sheet metal outer skin. Dual anode rods and an aquastat are factory installed, with a pressure relief valve supplied loose for field installation.
A Taco 008 Bronze pump with integral flow check is supplied loose for field installation to circulate water from the tank to the DHW inlet of the QVM9. Pump operation is controlled by the tank aquastat.
Learn more about Quietside Corporation at
www.quietside.com
Posted at 6:44 PM UT
by
Tamara
Broadcast Cable Series FROM the GROUND UP, creating energy self-reliant, environmentally friendly, homes, systems, and transportation
Learn more about the Broadcast Cable Series at
www.TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com
Toto,one of the world’s largest plumbing manufacturers, enters the series: FROM the GROUND UP, bringing to design teams their perfection of designs that are known as a leader in water efficiency usage since the 1970’s, when Japan first experienced water shortages.
A producer of vitreous china ware in Japan, since 1917, by the 1940’s, Toto expanded to include faucets and metal fittings.
Their 1.6 Gpf toilets have earned recognition and strong recommendation, and they bring into this series fixtures as well as fittings, providing a single source, single spec and single responsibility, as well as matched bathroom sets.
China fixtures such as toilets, urinals, lavatories, fittings which include sensor-operated flush valves and faucets, and accessories like heated and soft closing seats, along with Washlets, have over 1,500 engineers to thank.
With products that exceed the ANSI/ASME tests and CSA minimum standards, Toto is helping to lead the world in perfecting by design.
Posted at 6:19 PM UT
by
Tamara
Blue Sky Energy Charge Controllers
Maximum Power Point Tracking, frequently referred to as MPPT, is an electronic system that operates the Photovoltaic (PV) modules in a manner that allows the modules to produce all the power they are capable of.
MPPT is not a mechanical tracking system that “physically moves” the modules to make them point more directly at the sun.
MPPT is a fully electronic system that varies the electrical operating point of the modules so that the modules are able to deliver maximum available power.
Additional power harvested from the modules is then made available as increased battery charge current.
MPPT can be used in conjunction with a mechanical tracking system, but the two systems are completely different .
To understand how MPPT works, let’s first consider the operation of a conventional (non- MPPT) charge controller. When a conventional controller is charging a discharged battery, it simply connects the modules directly
to the battery. This forces the modules to operate at battery voltage, typically not the ideal operating voltage at which the modules are able to produce their maximum available power.
The conventional controller simply connects the module to the battery and therefore forces the module to operate at 12V. By forcing the 75W module to operate at 12V the conventional controller artificially limits power production to 53W.
Rather than simply connecting the module to the battery, the patented MPPT system in a Solar Boost™ charge controller calculates the voltage at which the module is able to produce maximum power.
If the maximum power voltage of the module (VMP) is 17V. The MPPT system then operates the modules at 17V to extract the full 75W, regardless of present battery voltage.
A high efficiency DC-to-DC power converter converts the 17V module voltage at the controller input to battery voltage at the output. If the whole system wiring and all was 100% efficient, battery charge current in this example would be VMODULE VBATTERY x IMODULE, or 17V
12V x 4.45A = 6.30A. A charge current increase of 1.85A or 42% would be achieved by harvesting module power that would have been left behind by a conventional controller and turning it into useable charge current.
But, nothing is 100% efficient and actual charge current increase will be Typical 75W PV Module Power/Voltage/Current At Standard Test Conditions
somewhat lower as some power is lost in wiring, fuses, circuit breakers, and in the Solar Boost charge controller.
Actual charge current increase varies with operating conditions.
The greater the difference between PV module
maximum power voltage VMP and battery voltage, the greater the charge current increase will be.
Cooler PV module cell temperatures tend to produce higher VMP and therefore greater charge current increase.
This is because VMP and available power increase as module cell temperature decreases.
Modules with a 25C VMP rating higher than 17V will
also tend to produce more charge current increase because the difference between actual VMP and battery voltage will be greater.
A highly discharged battery will also increase
charge current since battery voltage is lower,
and output to the battery during MPPT could
be thought of as being “constant power”.
What most people see in cool comfortable temperatures with typical battery conditions is a charge
current increase of between 10 – 25%. Cooler temperatures and highly discharged batteries can
produce increases in excess of 30%.
Customers in cold climates have reported charge current increases in excess of 40%. What this means is that current increase tends to be greatest when it
is needed most; in cooler conditions when days are short, sun is low on the horizon, and batteries may be more highly discharged.
In conditions where extra power is not available (highly charged battery and hot PV modules) a Solar Boost charge controller will perform as a conventional PWM
type controller.
Home Power Magazine has presented RV Power Products (now Blue Sky Energy, Inc.) with two Things-That-Work articles; Solar Boost 2000 in HP#73 Oct./Nov. 1999, and Solar Boost 50 in HP#77 June/July 2000,
Links to these articles can be found on the Blue Sky Energy, Inc. web site at www.blueskyenergyinc.com.
Posted at 6:05 PM UT
by
Tamara
International Environmental Film Festival
Honorable Mention
Poems to the Earth
Available as DVD Master with
Broadcast Slates
Ready to submit to your own
local, Public Access Broadcasting Stations.
International Environmental Film Festival
Honorable Mention
Poems to the Earth
Available as DVD Master with
Broadcast Slates
Ready to submit to your own
local, Public Access Broadcasting Stations.
Posted at 5:57 PM UT
by
Tamara
From the Ground Up
Creating Energy Self-Reliant,
Environmentally Friendly,
Homes and Systems
Fourty Acre Mountain Top Site
On which will be constructed
a Passive, Solar Photovoltaic
2 bedroom,
2 bath home
which will feature
Rainwater collection systems and
underground water storage,
Photovoltaic generation of electricity.
Radiant Floor Heating utilizing
Passive Solar Heated Water,
Passive Gravity Feed Water Systems
Eco-Friendly Timber
Water saving Toilets and
Composting Toilets
Slate looking Roof of Recycled, non-gassing, Automobile Tire Rubber
Cement formed walls of Styrofoam moldings
Energy Saving Windows and Doors
Environmentally Friendly materials
Posted at 5:50 PM UT
by
Tamara
From the Ground Up
Creating Energy Self-Reliant,
Environmentally Friendly,
Homes and Systems
Fourty Acre Mountain Top Site
on which is currently in production
Segments which are highlighting
the Native Plants of the area
to demonstrate plantings with the seasons
of rains to maximize plant successfully
establishing without manual watering.
Native Plant Nurseries and botanists have
been interviewed on the plants chosen to
provide medicine, food, and teas primarily.
In keeping with Self-Reliant Gardening,
special attention is being paid to
deer resistancy,
water efficient usage, seasonally provided
low maintainence,
and self propagating species .
Techniques of creating,
and utilizing all food waste,
Composting methods,,
Usage of Coffee Grounds and
On-Site Debri,
as supplements to soil,
is now currently underway.
Also the usage of materials to prevent
undergrowth along walk-ways,
effective for maximizing water to plantings
is being demonstrated.
Recycled materials as walkway art,
as well as on-site paving materials of wood
are being featured.
Posted at 5:46 PM UT
by
Tamara
Sod Roofed homes of Norway
are the inspiration behind the prototype
home featured in the series
From The Ground UP
which is currently airing
Green home designs
Created by the Art Institute of San Francisco
to educate the public on creating
Energy Self-Reliant Homes
And Systems.
Posted at 5:42 PM UT
by
Tamara
Poems to the Earth
International Environmental Film Festival
2001 Honorable Mention
Original Photography and Prose of
Tamara Lynn Scott
Images of Windmills
from the Island of Oland,
Sweden
Poems to the Earth
International Environmental Film Festival
2001 Honorable Mention
Original Photography and Prose of
Tamara Lynn Scott
Images of Windmills
from the Island of Oland,
Sweden
Posted at 5:37 PM UT
by
Tamara
<Poems to the Earth
International Environmental Film Festival
2001 Honorable Mention
Poems to the Earth
International Environmental Film Festival
2001 Honorable Mention
Original Photography and Prose of
Tamara Lynn Scott
Images of Windmills
from the Island of Oland,
Sweden
We Capture From Our Shores
Clean Air
Clear Hearts,
Clean Energy.
An Engine,
Eternal,
That always Works.
In The Brilliant Splash of Light
and Life,
Always Moving,
and in all Movement,
the Energy of all Life.
Posted at 5:32 PM UT
by
Tamara
Mosaics of Recycled marble, stone, tile, and wood
are laid out
on a 40 acre mountain top with
prototype, energy efficient gardens,
featuring Native Edible Plants.
Plantings are occurring
when the rains have deeply saturated the soils.
Mosaics help keep weeds down,
and preserve water.
Posted at 5:24 PM UT
by
Tamara
From the Ground Up
Creating Energy Self-Reliant,
Environmentally Friendly,
Homes, Systems, and Gardens
Interviews at Central Coast Wilds Native Plant Nursery with Josh Fodor
A few of the Native Plants
discussed for inclusion
in the forty acres of prototype Gardens
being created for the Broadcast Cable Series,
From the Ground Up,
are including
the following plants.
SEGMENT 194 Interviews at Central Coast Wilds Native Plant Nursery
with Josh Fodor
6 1g Artemesia douglasiana,MUGWORT
6 1g penstemon het blue bedder
6 1G Ribes sanguineum Currant
6 1G Rosa californica ROSE
6 1G Epilobium canum FUSHIA
6 1g Salvia apiana SAGE
6 1G salvia mellifera SAGE
4 1g Sambucus mexicana
Fragaria vesca, the wood strawberry
Arbutus menziesi, madrone edible berries
Arctostaphylos andersoni, manzanitas
Corylus cornuta hazelnut,
Juglans californica, the black walnut
Rhaminus californica, the coffeeberry
San Buchus Mexicana, the BLUE Elderberry
For wetland areas
Food and jams out of the berries
It can grow rapidly.
Some natives in dry areas can
grow very slowly.
Some Plants won’t require any
water.
Like
Salvia Melifera, the Black Sage
Occurs in Chapperel
And coastal scrubs.
You can use it in your cooking.
but, it’s not as good as the white sage,
Salvia apeanna, the White sage
It occurs all the way down to southern California,
For cooking medicinal effects, it's all about the volatile oils.
White sage might be in dryer southern California.
Black sage grows in a moister place.
Sage has an uplifting,
bright feeling for the landscape,
Another Related Plant,
Artemesia Douglesiana, Mugwort,
Commonly referred to as Coastal Sages,
There are several varieties of Artemesia in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Known for its medicinal usages.
It grows In wet and seepy areas,
But it can also grow
In hot areas of santa cruz.
It will brown up a little
if you give it zero water.
If you water it just once a month,
deep,
That can keep it going
through all the dry season.
Mugwort is also used as a dream enhancer.
Many make Mugwort Pillows.
It makes dreams more vivid.
So planting this right outside
your bedroom would be a good place.
It can be used in a liver formulation.
It's also generally used for the stomach.
A poulstice of it
people will rub on the skin
for minor skin abrasions
or even poison oak.
Ribys malvaceum - a flowering current,
It will have pink or white flowers,
It gets pretty good stature,
It's a good space filling shrub.
Ribes include both flowering currents,
And the gooseberries.
They are edible berries.
You can make jelly out of them.
The Difference between a current and a gooseberry,
is that the Currents don't have any spines on the stems or the leaves,
whereas gooseberries will always have prickelly hairs on the
stems and the leaves.
Will the deer like to eat them?
The deer will potentially taste any
native plant in your garden.
Depending on where you are,
the deer may prefer one thing,
or the other.
They may chew your ivys down.
Or not.
What we've found out is that if
you're willing to wait and watch,
Ssometimes they've just pruning
for you and stimulating the plants.
So you don't have to build a
10,000 fence.
"Do all the birds like to eat the currents off them?
The birds definitely like to eat the berries, and that's one reason for planting a species such as this, as food for wildlife, birds, insects.
Other animals find cover under it,
squirrels, rabbits.
You've got to get out there early to fend off all the other creatures and get your own share of the bounty before it's all gone.
This one, again,
is going to need once a month,
deep watering.
This can grow in sun or shade, both.
Often its found under a california oak,
Excellent as mixed woodland in your residential landscape.
Most plants you can take cuttings of.
Our preferred method is always collecting the seeds,
In this case,
collecting the berries and bringing them into the nursery environment,
and Treating them, if they need treatment,
Propogating them in flats,
and then transferring them out.
Treatments
are sometimes, just letting them age,
and the rotting, fermenting berry
is what is stimulating the seedcoating inside to germinate
So it can be time.
Ceanopus,
which is another blue blossom shrub
needs hot water treatment.
We take boiling water and pour it over the seeds and let that sit until it cools.
Time and Temperature fluxuation trigger these events in the wild.
Stratification is the typical term to describe temperature flucuation, moisture fluctuation.
It can just be sitting in the duff in the moisture of the forest floor,
and in time it is breaking down the seed coat,
Or an animal can eat it.
The heat of an animal.
The stomach acids in particular,
breaking down the seed coat.
Penstemon heterophylus hybrid,
native, a blue bedder,
is great to plant en mass.
You get great blue purpelish flowers.
It's a Perrineal.
Long lived.
Very drought tolerant.
It will flower and do well with zero water.
But if you want to extend it's flowering,
give it a deep watering once a month.
Use the Leaves fresh,
macerating with oil,
as a salve for minor skin irritations.
It has natural vitamin E oils.
It has natural Antibacterial properties.
It has more of a Mutilagenous type of effect to knit together and bind wounds.
Hazelnut Corylus cormula,
Likes shade or , dappled sun.
It produces the famous Hazel nut.
This is the Californianative variety,
different from the eastern variety,
and doesn't produce quite as many nuts.
You really have to do battle with the squirrels to get your share of them.
They will have a little Pod and a fuzzy coating to it, and the nut is inside is entirely edible.
Add them to your salads for your protein.
These can get quite large,
Up to 12 to 15 feet.
But typically you can keep them in the 5 to 7 foot range,
They do well with trimming.
They have a Simple open structure.
Be ready to harvest them as soon as possible
Oaks supply a major form of starch.
American Indians leached it.
Native woodland strawberries, in the oak woodland.
spread runners.
Take the nubs and plant them,
Like all native plants,
they can survive
with the native water flow in California.
RibesVibercarumthe Gooseberry
menziesi, californicum
Sal epilobia, the hummingbird fuschia,
Is used as a bitter,
for the liver,
and induces vomiting,
Purging poisens.
The Bay tree produce fruits,
and a husk like a walnut.
Don't eat the husk.
Age them like walnuts for several months.
Peel off the slimy mess,
roast in the oven, or over the fire.
Or Hose off the husks.
It's like a Roasted coffee bean,
good with chocolate.
Rhamnus californica, the Coffeeberry,
is a Laxitive.
eat the fruit as a medicinal and effective Jam.
Rheumatism tea from the bark,
helps reduce swelling.
Contact the California Native Plant Society
at CNPS.org
Guildelines for landscaping.
California WALNUT TREE,
Juglans californica
is used for root stock for the English walnut.
Interviews at Central Coast Wilds Native Plant Nursery with Josh Fodor.
