Reducing power costs for rural land owners

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 687, 20 May 1997, Page 15

Reducing power costs for rural land owners

With electricity supply companies charging isolated rural user high charges to install power lines and wiring, energy alternatives are worth considering. For homeowners with a stream running through their property, a small hydro-electric power generating system is an option. New Zealand company Powerflow specialises in power supply solutions for users ranging from lifestyle-property owners to small communities. To provide enough power to supply an all-electric home, including water and heating, a 5-kilowatt system is required. Powerflow's 5kW unit has an AC generator supplying continuous power. The 5kW unit actually provides more than the total power a household needs in a day but, having it, ensures peak load requirements are met. If cooking and heating requirements are being met by another power source, such as wood, coal, gas or oil, a 1 kW system would be suitable. These systems cost approximately $7,600. Operating costs are virtually nil. Installation involves a waterpipe to deliver water to the unit and wiring to the house or shed. The spent water is discharged back into the stream. Powerflow can design hybrid power systems using a combination of hydro and diesel systems. A battery system can also be incorporated to allow for peak demand requirements.