Electricity

Issues

Distance from grid

Depending on the location, it may be feasable to merely use standard power sources. However, one source says that the cost for continuing power lines is about $20 per foot; this could become prohibitive very quickly. In addition, the land will quite likely be reasonably far out in the country. This means that even if we purchase power, in the case of an outage, we are likely to be some of the last to have power restored.(emp)

Lights

Do we need lights? Some light can be provided by non-electric sources, but there is a limit to how long they will last and to how much they will cost. Fuels to burn are often fossil (and I don't think we're going to manage an oil well) or animal in nature, and though we can probably cobble up some candles if we end up raising bees, which is probably a good idea anyway for sweetener and polenization.(emp)

Freezer (meat?)

If we plan on having any meat other than, say, chicken (which can be eaten all at once), we will need an adequate and reliable freezer. In areas that remain frozen all winter, it would be possible to keep meat outdoors (protected, but unheated) for the winter. This still doesn't deal with meat in the summer, though. This wil also have a significant bearing on power consumption, as the power supply for a freezer must be reliable. Other things can handle having power only during the day, or intermitently losing power, but in this case, that is not an option.(emp)

Computers

This includes other high-tech stuff; do we want web acess? The only way to do this may be to get a satelite dish. It is not clear whether the technology is available yet.(emp)

Stereo

Radio-necessary

We will need some sort of incoming/outgoing information capability, but ham radio will be sufficient, and such a system should be capable of running off of batteries even if we can find another way to do it, in case of emergency.(emp)

How much is needed?

This depends on how many electrical devices we decide we need. Brainstorming will be required to come up with lists.(emp)

Water

Depending on the location of the building site, we may need electricity to provide running water.(emp)

Possible sources:

Solar

Power Lines

Wind

Water

Generator (gas?)