Survival Homestead

An interesting resource on making briquettes.

Via: EchoTech.org (PDF)

Briquettes made from materials that cost little or no money to obtain, such as old newspaper or partially decomposed plant waste, can be an alternate fuel to charcoal, firewood or coal, and may cost less. Depending on materials used to make the briquettes, they may burn cleaner than coal. Finally, turning “throw-away” materials into a fuel source is attractive because it is a sustainable process. Many different methods and technologies exist for pressing briquettes. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. This
document describes two designs for briquette presses that are used here at ECHO.

Interesting story, from Reuters

With energy prices going through the roof, an alternative lifestyle powered by solar panels and wind turbines has suddenly become more appealing to some. For architect Todd Bogatay, it has been reality for years.

When he bought this breezy patch of scrub-covered mountaintop with views to Mexico more than two decades ago, he was one of only a few Americans with an interest in wind- and solar-powered homes.

Now, Bogatay is surrounded by 15 neighbors who, like him, live off the electricity grid, with power from solar panels and wind turbines that he either built or helped to install.

“People used to be attracted to living off-grid for largely environmental reasons, although that is now changing as energy prices rise,” he said, standing in blazing sunshine with a wind turbine thrashing the air like a weed whacker overhead.

Spry and energetic, Bogatay makes few sacrifices for his chosen lifestyle. He has a small, energy saving refrigerator, but otherwise his house is like any other, with satellite television and a computer with Internet service.

“Electric and gas are going to skyrocket very soon. There are going to be more reasons for doing it, economic reasons,” he said.

Bogatay and his neighbors at the 120-acre development are among a very small but fast-growing group of Americans opting to meet their own energy needs as power prices surge and home repossessions grow.

Once the domain of a few hardy pioneers, the dispersed movement is now attracting not just a few individuals and families, but institutions and developers building subdivisions that meet their own energy needs.

us_population_2005_lrg.jpg (JPEG Image, 2048×1152 pixels)