Greenhouse heat and electricity

[Rick Stillwagon]

Hi everyone,

 

I started with a question, Why cant we generate the electricity for the greenhouse and use the "waste" heat to heat the greenhouse?  It looks like we can.  I have been working on an idea of using a pellet stove to heat the greenhouse.  I didnt like the idea that it required electricity to run the stove.  I asked why cant the stove generate its own electricity?  I found out that it can, but the manufacturers believe that it is too cost prohibitive.  So I have been researching my own means of accomplishing this goal.  I have settled on two possibilities and I have an engineer helping me with both.  We are looking at either a Stirling engine, or a steam engine.  Both can generate ample power to run the stove as well as probably enough to run all the greenhouse operations.  I also like the idea that I can make my own fuel for the stove using a hammer mill to grind up the material and a pellet mill to produce the pellets.  The pellets can be made of almost any bio-mass.  I have seven forested acres which provides tons of windfall waste for making fuel.  Our goal is to have a proto-type up and running this winter.  I am eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and input.  Thanks. 

[Bob Campbell]

You may find that a Peltier would work for you. 

Here's a YouTube demonstration.  By the way they run both ways!

You can make cold & hot or electricity.  Even if it does not work out for you, they are a lot of fun.

Available on ebay for just a few bucks