Monday, February 11, 2008

Turbine Testing

The winds picked up on Saturday afternoon enough to start our turbine and it was off and running. It calmed again on Sunday morning with a forecast for high winds the next three days. By noon on Sunday the wind was up to 20 knots and our turbine was running full tilt boogie. In the first 24 hour period we generated 32 kWh. By 5:00 PM today our total production was 50kWh. To put this in perspective the Forfar Shop, Dive Compressor, and Office combined consume around 300 kWh/month. Yeah!!! We could not have asked for better conditions for testing our turbine. The students are all very proud of our accomplishment. Here a couple of videos of the turbine in action.


Assemblying the Turbine


After completing our assembly we raised the tower on Thursday. The turbine was not yet attached, as this was a test raise to plumb the tower, and adjust all the guy wires. It was also an opportunity for us to develop confidence that we could raise and lower the tower with our rigging and machines.

Confident that the tower was going to go up and down just fine, we began assembly of the turbine. Pictured here we have Henry Lavine demonstrating a Sumo turbine wrestling move. I don't think they show this in the Skystream assembly manual, but it worked.

By close of the day we had our final preparations done, and knocked off early to present our energy audit findings to the staff.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Raising the Turbine





On Saturday morning we awoke to another calm day and commenced the raising of the tower. We were ready to begin raising the tower just after lunch, and there was much hooping and hollering from the crew and all those gathered as spectators.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Forfar Energy Audit





OK great we are installing a wind turbine to generate electricity for the station, and we are tuning up our solar hot water heating system for the station. But where is all the electricity we use at Forfar going? To answer that question I set the students on a project to measure and monitor the electric power consumption of the station. They worked diligently counting light bulbs, measuring electric consumption of every plug in appliance they could find, and discussing.conservation and efficiency measures. The students evaluated electrical usage and Forfar resident population data for the past three years. The conclusion of the study was a presentation to the Forfar staff which laid out a very detailed picture of where electricity is being used, recommended conservation measures, and future projects which would improve energy efficiency on the station, and renewable energy projects which could lead the station to an energy neutral position over time. The students worked very hard on the project and provided invaluable data to the Forfar staff.

Pictured is our Kill-A-Watt meter in use monitoring the coffee, microwave, and toaster station in the dining room and Eleizabeth Farrell preparing for the staff presentation.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Wind Turbine Tower Assembly









Our concrete foundations for the wind turbine have been curing as we studied solar thermal and micro hydro topics. Today we began assembly of the tower. We had been working on painting the tower and cables over the past week. Even though the tower, cables, and other steel parts are all galvanized, we are putting them up within 50 feet of the fine blue salt water of the Carribean. This is a highly corrosive environment. With everything painted we hope to hold up better to the salt spray. We started hauling and assembling the tower components into place. Here are a few pictures.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Micro Hydro Power


We covered Micro Hydro electric generation in the classroom. Pete Davidson came in to discuss the hydro system which was previously installed in Stafford creek. The system was overpowered by the tremendous tidal current in the creek and Pete just finished overhauling/rebuilding it. Due to our project commitments on the wind turbine and solar thermal projects we did not have time to redeploy this system, so that is left for the next class at Forfar or Pete in his spare time. Pete has proposed a battery charging system for boats on the Stafford creek. This system would provide outreach and education for the local community. When asked about the hot pink color of the turbine Pete simply said it has always been his favorite color ;D

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Solar Hot Water Heating






We spent some time analyzing the solar hot water heater installed on the Forfar motel. Prior to our arrival we had heard several reports regarding the system. It’s definitely not working, it’s definitely working, it might be working, it might not be working. The students and I discussed the system, during our class, reviewed the design, piping, flow rates, etc. We then decided on a set of changes we believed would improve the performance of the system. As a means of testing these changes we started by installing a Metrima BTU meter. This clever little device measures the temperature on the collector supply and return line, and the flow through the collector loop and reports the kilowatt hours of energy generated by the system. It is a utility grade meter. We then set about making our changes and monitoring the system. Our series of changes included 1) installing a shutoff valve in the electric tank which would require the system to draw off water from the solar tank rather than from the main water line when hot water was in use., 2) cleaning the solar thermal and PV panel driving the pump, 3) replacing the 5 watt PV panel with a 10 W panel, 4) replacing the 3.5 W circulating pump with a 10watt pump, 5) moving the thermal loop return to the electric water heater lower in the tank, and the elecric heating element higher in the tank. Through a systemeatic change and monitor approach we improved the system performance significantly over the week of our studies in solar thermal work. Pictures show the students installing the Metrima and making the first changes to the system. We improved the performance so much that we had to install an antiscald device in the system to ensure no one gets cooked in the shower.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Around Forfar



OK, we are not always talking about, or learning about renewable energy here at Forfar. We do spend time hanging out in the lodge, playing cards, domino’s, scrabble, etc, and taking in the local sights and scenes. Here are few pictures.

Terpy is a local lady who comes in each evening and set's up a small concession stand in the lodge. She offers cokes, candy, jewelry, and other treats for sale to the students.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Forfar Interns


The day to day operations of the Forfar Field Station is handled by a dedicated staff of interns. They manage getting groups on and off the station, logistics of food, fuel, and other necessities, teach classes, facilitate trips, and generally make the place go. They work hard at what they do and were very helpful to us as we worked to get our projects done.

In the backrow we have Leslie, Katie, Lindsey, Megan, Ryan (String), and Bob. In the front row we have Brock, TJ, Rob, and Ryan (Red)

Bahamian Food & Staff Pictures

The food at Forfar is good and no one but the picky eaters go away hungry. Last night the cooks prepared a traditional Bahamian supper for us. Pidgeon Peas and Rice (spiced with coconut milk), Baked macaroni and cheese, Conch fritters (think hush puppies with bits of conch mixed in) and fried grouper (fresh catch with special thanks to Ricardo Riley our maintenance chief). Yummmmmm! Here are a few snaps fo the Forfar staff.

This is Catherine White. She is a bit camera shy but agreed to a picture when I told her I'd make her famous as a cook on the internet. She takes care of breakfast each morning working with Mrs. Fowler.









Here is Portia Riley and Elthy Mae Murphy. These are the ladies who put together the AWSOME Bahamian meal for us. Portia told us she is one of 20 children in her family, born to one woman and one man. She grew up on a farm just north of Stafford Creek. Elthy lives in Stafford Creek and is the mother of three children.


This is Jan Gibson. Jan is our housekeeper in charge of the lodge. She also takes care of our laundry at the station. She resides in Stafford Creek and is always bubbly a bubbly morning person.



This is Joyce Fowler. Always stylish in the kitchen with her hat for the day. She makes all of our sandwich and sweet bread too. I heard stories that if one of the gents happen into the ktichen without their shirt on, they are likely to get a towel snapped on their backside as a reminder that shirts are required. Mrs Fowler has been with Forfar for 20+ years.



This is Maxwell Roberts (aka Daddy Cool) He provides security for Forfar in the evenings from 6:00 PM to midnight. He makes sure everything is locked down for the night and "everthing stays cool". Max is also the pastor of the Miracle Church of God in Stafford Creek.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

It Never Rains on Andros In January

We woke to a clear day and set about pumping out our final anchor hole for pouring. Due to the high tide it soon became clear that we could not bail or pump fast enough to keep up with the water so we bagged the pour till the tide went down.

Back in the classroom we began our work on solar thermal systems, and then went down to study the hot water heating system at the Forfar motel. We are formulating our plan for monioting and modifying the system to improve performance.

After lunch we headed out to pour peir #4. We just finished the pour when the rain moved in. So we covered our work, gathere our tools, and headed back to the classroom looking like a bunch of drowned rats. The rain stayed with us till late in the afternoon and though we were anxious to get back out and finish our work, the weather looked iffy so we decided to wait till tomorrow to finish our concrete work.

We learned two things today. You can't fight the tide, and if you want a weather forecast ask Ricardo, not Pete. We did get to enjoy a lovely rainbow at the end of our day.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Bahamian Concrete 101



After our day and night of rain we woke to a lovely day. Our holes were filled with water but Pete Davidson loaned us a bilge pump and we pumped one of them out and started to work. In the US we typically call the concrete compnay and tell them how many yards we need, they back the truck up to the site, and start pouring directly from the truck. Not so here on Andros.

Ricardo is the maintenance chief here at the staion,working here at Forfar for going on 22 years now. He gave gave us a lesson in how concrete is mixed here on the island, instructing us on the finer points of dry mixing the materials first then forming a tray from the dry mix, adding water and turning it into a strong concrete mix. In the US we would add small gravel to the mix. Here we simply drop in some concrete mix and then drop in the large baseball to football size stones to the mix. Repeat, repeat, repeat. The sand here is carbonate based (rather than silica)as is the stone we are tossing in. In addition the carbonate stone is pourous and irregular, so it sucks up the concrete for a strong bond. Since carbonate is the base material of Portland cement the final Bahamian concrete pour is super strong.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Building Rebar Cages

Five of the students are enrolled in the Cultural Studies class and they went off with Pete for lecture and walk/talk down to the Maritime Arts and Inspiration Center. Aaron, Tommy, and I began construction of the rebar cages. The weather was not cooperative, blowing at 20 - 25 knots, so we did our work in the wind shade in back of the odge. We finished our work in time for lunch and then the rain set in. It continued to rain horizontally the balance of the day. Note: My compouter died this weekend so picture posts are delayed but we will catch them up soon.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Beat Goes On

It was back to work today. We are trying to finalize our digging and be ready to pour concrete on Monday. Our missing rebar came in on the flight today so we should be good to go. We're are having one issue that we did not expect. Some of our foundation holes fill with water at high tide, and empty out at low tide. So we will do it the Bahamian way, and go with the flow. Concrete pour starts at low tide.












Friday, January 18, 2008

Exam Day and Junkanoo

Students had there exam day today. There was much groaning after the fact. Comments from two of the students indicated this might have been the most difficult exam they have had in all of their studies. Well, at least they all had Junkanoo to look forward too, following the exam, and they now have proper expectaions for the rest of the course work and future exams.

After finishing the exam, we loaded into vans with the Eco Tourism students and headed to Nichols Town. The costumes, dancing, and drumming were very entertaining. Junkanoo is a celebration initiated by the slave population of Andros. It celebrated the three days per year the slaves were free from work; Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Years. Tradition has it that the remnants of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes were used to make colorful costumes and masks. These were integrated with customs and dances from the African culture of the slave population. The festival is celebrated in the fashion of Carnival and Mardi Gra. It's quite the party on Nassau we are told. This local celebration was held at the local high school and was well attended by the local community. Children traveled up to 50 miles to attend and compete. They were adorable and they all had their groove thing goin' on.









Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Big Dig Continues


We continued our efforts on digging footers today. There were definitely a few sore muscles, blisters, and/or abrasions. Tough going but the students worked hard and we are making progress. We also finished our curriculuum on wind turbines. Exam day is tomorrow.

Pete Davidson gave an evening lecture on the local festival called Junkanoo. We are going out tomorrow to see the junior Junkanoo festival at Nichols Town. It's a competition between the local primary and preschools for the best costumes, song, dance, etc. We are looking forward to it.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Big Dig





We started our day with a brief lecture till 10:0 AM and then went out to start the Big Dig. We have 5 peers to dig, form, and pour to support the turbine. Each is 3 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep. This would be one matter if we were simply shoveling sand out of the ground. Unfortunately we have a few inches of sand then you hit limestone, ancient coral, which verys between hard and very hard. The students worked diligently, shredded a few pairs of gloves, got a few blisters, and worked really hard.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

ForFar Walkabout, Rock Party, and Wind Lectures

We began our morning with a walkbout the grounds of Forfar with Ricardo. Ricardo has been with Forfar for going on 22 years and manages the facility maintenance. He gave us a tour of the electrical, water, and waste disposal systems at the station. During our stay the students will make some evaluations of the stations energy usage and make receommendations regarding conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects.

After our walk we took a trip with Pete Davidson to a local qurry site to collect stone for our footers. This brings new meaning the to term "rock party"


After our morning rock party, we then headed into the classroom to learn the theoretical aspects of wind energy. The class went well but by 4:00 PM eyes were glazing over so we headed outside to play with some of our toys; the hand held anemometer, the Kill-A-Watt, and the Solar Pathfinder.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Classes Begin





We got things rolling in the classroom today, starting with an overview of the Skystream turbine, and our initial objective of determining the status of our equipment which had been shipped to Forfar.

Fortunately all the delicate components seem to have arrived in good shape. Unfortuantely we are missing some of the rebar needed for the foundation peers. Seems to have gone missing in transit. We are blessed though, in that our local goto guy, Pete Davidson, knows where and how to get most everything so we will work past this.

Once we completed our inventory we headed out to site the turbine. Using a two string lines for marking the axis of the turbine foundations we shifted, rotated and ended up with a location that we are all happy with. Pictures you see Henry acting as the Tower anchor, Aaron, as the west anchor, and Elizaebth making sure we've all got it right. Jason serves as the south anchor, Tommy serves as the turbine head, and Joel serves as the North anchor. We're thinking of patenting this new turbine siting method.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Sunday a day of R and R


The staff offered us wonderful opportunity to go out for a snorkel trip today. The weather and water were fantastic. Tommy and Mike stayed behind at Forfar the rest of us had a great day in the sun and surf. Our Captain and First Mate are Sage and Linsey. Competant boaters and spearfishers, and good company.