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Every Home An Energy Producer
By: Michael Dappert
Imagine this, every home in the US with solar panels on the roof. Each one feeding power into the national power grid. Or,
industrious individuals producing biodiesel out on their suburban or rural homesteads. How about wind generators on buildings in
cities making power and sending it all into the grid.
Historically energy has been produced by big enterprises that build big facilities to generate power and then sell the power to the
consumer. Maybe it made sense at one time but it no longer does. Please do not think I am implying we should scrap our
current infrastructure and start tearing down generating plants, although that might be a worthy goal in the future. But with the
technology we have now we should be looking at a differnet model.
Decentralization makes sense. It is far more secure than a big power generating facility because it is safe from terrorist attack or
sabotage. Decentralized power generation is also more resistant to weather disruptions. Last winter a transmission line went down in
our area during a storm and we were without any power for nine hours while the temperature was below freezing with a blizzard
going on.
Local fuel production seems to be worthwhile also. Can you imagine who will work at shooting down this idea. But, why not produce
some of your own fuel for your vehicle. I live in the country and could produce my own biodiesel. Interestingly enough, a man in
Central Illinois was fined by the Department of Revenue for producing biodiesel. They said he had not paid fuel taxes on his
production. Now they want him to fill out a monthly multipage form just like a major refinery.
This idea is not for everyone. Most people do not have the space to make a fuel like biodiesel or ethanol. Especially if you live in a
town or city. But, most everyon