With the direction that the Fort Galt land project is taking, and the availability of separate lots around the main building(s) location, it seems there's a cool opportunity to explore regarding infrastructure for the community of makers, artists and entrepreneurs that is growing up around it.
Of course a local, high-speed data network is well along in the planning stages by yours truly, but another need of the community occurs to me - that of reliable energy!
In that regard, what I have in mind is known as a Mini Grid
These types of energy grids are localized to provide reliable power in the event of grid-loss, but are interconnected to the regional grid as well. This provides an opportunity for the community to sell power into the grid or pull from it as needed.
The picture above only shows wind/solar/hydro, but along with that can be included woody biomass systems such as the Power Pallet 20kw system, and Bio-gas digesters for producing a cooking/heating fuel which is similar to propane.
After all, there's no such thing as waste, only resources that aren't being utilized!
And respecting the individuality and entrepreneurial spirit that I myself value, a system of accounting and exchange could be developed using a blockchain, to track and pay for energy usage and production within the community. As systems are prototyped here, they can be exported to other such communities that develop.
Eventually, I'd like to see some solid research done at the maker-space digging into alternative power production systems! There are many technologies that have gone by the wayside due to entrenched interests and energy-politics, and while you can't buy them on the market (yet), the research is out there waiting to be picked up and continued in private.
I look forward to seeing other talented, interested Makers and Creators join us in exploring the untapped, here on this hilltop by the Pacific
