The Renewable Energy Workshop. October 2007.
October 1st. 2007 Update.
In recent months the renewable
energy workshop project has
begun to take shape.
It is intended as a workspace
designed to be run entirely from
renewable fuels and solar water
heating. It will also be used as a
testing area for renewable
energy techniques and ideas
including wood stove and
gasifier developments.
The workshop can be isolated
from the house and stand alone
as a separate living space. When
combined with the garden office
behind it, it represents some 40
square metres of useful fully
insulated accommodation.
In recent months the renewable
energy workshop project has
begun to take shape.
It is intended as a workspace
designed to be run entirely from
renewable fuels and solar water
heating. It will also be used as a
testing area for renewable
energy techniques and ideas
including wood stove and
gasifier developments.
The workshop can be isolated
from the house and stand alone
as a separate living space. When
combined with the garden office
behind it, it represents some 40
square metres of useful fully
insulated accommodation.
Notes on Automatic operation
The Lister can be automatically started using the dc starter generator. Currently the semi-manual
approach is taken
0. Ensure that circulation pump is running!
1. Check fuel rack is open
2. Decompress engine
3. Energise the motor from the battery "taps" starting at 12V and working up to 108V. Keep the
starter connected to each tap for 5 seconds to allow momentum to build up.
4. Re-compress the engine.
5. Allow 5 minute warm up period then switch to low compression setting.
A low-side mosfet controller of about 100A motor current could be used to start the dc motor, and bring
the engine up to speed. Solenoids could be used for the fuel rack and decompressor functions.
Monitoring the motor rpm and the current magintude and direction from the starter/generator will
indicate at what point the engine starts.
For cold weather starting a glow-plug pre-heat period will probably be needed.
The Lister can be automatically started using the dc starter generator. Currently the semi-manual
approach is taken
0. Ensure that circulation pump is running!
1. Check fuel rack is open
2. Decompress engine
3. Energise the motor from the battery "taps" starting at 12V and working up to 108V. Keep the
starter connected to each tap for 5 seconds to allow momentum to build up.
4. Re-compress the engine.
5. Allow 5 minute warm up period then switch to low compression setting.
A low-side mosfet controller of about 100A motor current could be used to start the dc motor, and bring
the engine up to speed. Solenoids could be used for the fuel rack and decompressor functions.
Monitoring the motor rpm and the current magintude and direction from the starter/generator will
indicate at what point the engine starts.
For cold weather starting a glow-plug pre-heat period will probably be needed.
Whilst much of the effort this year has been involved in getting the facility built and the equipment installed, the
main thrust this winter will be a series of shake down runs and improvements to the automation and reliability
of the installed systems.
main thrust this winter will be a series of shake down runs and improvements to the automation and reliability
of the installed systems.
The workshop complex consists of three distinct areas:
1. 3.3m x 2.9m mechanical workshop.
2. 5.4m x 2.8m engine room, consisting of 3.0m x 2.8m engine area and 2.4m x 2.8m test area
3. 4.6m x 2.9m electronics design office and work room.
All areas are fully insulated with heat and power supplied by the veg oil CHP system and solar water heating.
The main equipment in the workshop are as follows:
1. 265 sq ft of insulated workshop and engine shed. 50 square feet of lean to covered area at rear.
2. Fully insulated 150 sq ft garden office for electronic product development.
3. Veg oil fuelled 1951 Lister CS 6/1 hybrid generator 3kW
4. Veg oil fuelled original 1952 Lister CS Startomatic generator set 2.5kW
5. Plint Engine dynamometer.
6. 5kW true sine wave inverter and charger
7. 36 x 12V 38Ah Hawker SBS 40 battery bank
8. 1500W 96V Uninterruptible power supply to supply garden office.
9. 12kW Wood/solid fuel boiler
10. 1200mm x 800mm Blacksmith's forge and combined hearth area.
11. 600mm cube high temperature thermal store
12. 20 tube Navitron solar waterheating panel
13. 400 litre thermal store
14. Insulated pipes and cable duct back to house heating system.
15. Double sink and drainer unit with hot and cold water for handwashing.
16. 250 litre vegetable oil filtration and storage tank.
The RE experiments can be carried out in isolation to the rest of the house.
The whole workshop and garden office can be heated and powered using renewable fuel including firewood and
waste vegetable oil. Surplus heat and power is used to offset electricity and gas consumption in the house.
Above a general overview of the new decked area in front of the shed.
1. 3.3m x 2.9m mechanical workshop.
2. 5.4m x 2.8m engine room, consisting of 3.0m x 2.8m engine area and 2.4m x 2.8m test area
3. 4.6m x 2.9m electronics design office and work room.
All areas are fully insulated with heat and power supplied by the veg oil CHP system and solar water heating.
The main equipment in the workshop are as follows:
1. 265 sq ft of insulated workshop and engine shed. 50 square feet of lean to covered area at rear.
2. Fully insulated 150 sq ft garden office for electronic product development.
3. Veg oil fuelled 1951 Lister CS 6/1 hybrid generator 3kW
4. Veg oil fuelled original 1952 Lister CS Startomatic generator set 2.5kW
5. Plint Engine dynamometer.
6. 5kW true sine wave inverter and charger
7. 36 x 12V 38Ah Hawker SBS 40 battery bank
8. 1500W 96V Uninterruptible power supply to supply garden office.
9. 12kW Wood/solid fuel boiler
10. 1200mm x 800mm Blacksmith's forge and combined hearth area.
11. 600mm cube high temperature thermal store
12. 20 tube Navitron solar waterheating panel
13. 400 litre thermal store
14. Insulated pipes and cable duct back to house heating system.
15. Double sink and drainer unit with hot and cold water for handwashing.
16. 250 litre vegetable oil filtration and storage tank.
The RE experiments can be carried out in isolation to the rest of the house.
The whole workshop and garden office can be heated and powered using renewable fuel including firewood and
waste vegetable oil. Surplus heat and power is used to offset electricity and gas consumption in the house.
Above a general overview of the new decked area in front of the shed.