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spin the meter backwards
By BrianK, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 02:06:52 PM MST
Is this a hard thing to do?

I've got a 10kw gen. Short and sweet. Can anyone tell me how complicated it is to back feed the big high dollar grid in the USA. I am real new to this.

spin the meter backwards | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#1)
by Norm (peppysue@suite224.net) on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 04:32:53 PM MST
(User Info)

All these years you've been giving them your money now you want to give them your electricity? From what I've read on this post it's complicated and expensive and 10KW isn't near enough. The electric company doesn't want your electricity they want your money! (:>) Norm.
( :>) Norm

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#2)
by kmitchel on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 04:46:38 PM MST
(User Info)

u need a synchronous power inverter. the utility company must buy your electricity, but depending on your area, they may be reluctant, or try to make it impossible 4 u. ur equipment will need to be inspected and be on the up and up.

A lot of regulation (none / 0) (#3)
by wdyasq on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 04:46:43 PM MST
(User Info)

There are many hoops, loops and expenses to hook-up a generator to "the grid". Homepower magazine has many articles on those doing it "on the sly".

I don't like dealing with the "nice folks".

Ron
Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#4)
by zmoz on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 06:07:03 PM MST
(User Info)

I've looked into this before, around here they have to buy it back at the wholesale power rate, and the power company has to pay for the new meter and installation. Depending on how that generator of yours is powered, however, it would probably cost more to run than the electricity they would buy back.

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#5)
by DanB (danb@*no spam*otherpower.com) on Sun Oct 26th, 2003 at 08:06:52 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.otherpower.com/

Not only is it complicated....

but Id argue your stance on "high dollar grid". The power grid in the US is (in my opinion) somewhat govt subsidized... and it's dirt cheap. Around here we pay abou $0.10/kwh. You can't compete with that with a diesel generator. Even if they payed you retail for it all I think the cost of fuel alone would probably be about break even, if not a slightly losing deal... not to mention maintenance and wear and tear.

Now.. last fall, when wholesale in CA was over $1.00/KWH I think you maybe coulda made some $$ !

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#6)
by troy on Thu Oct 30th, 2003 at 02:11:31 PM MST
(User Info)

Also keep in mind, the phase of your electricity MUST be totally, perfectly in step with the phase of the utility power, or bad things will happen, like fires, destroyed generators, things like that. A normal gas or diesel gennie has no provision for matching the phase properly.

Sorry...

troy

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#7)
by BrianK on Fri Oct 31st, 2003 at 06:10:26 AM MST
(User Info)

I also have a 30kw that has parallel abilities adjustable freq.timing lights and all could that gen be able to do this task easier?

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#8)
by troy on Sat Nov 1st, 2003 at 06:59:42 AM MST
(User Info)

Nope, not unless it's specifically designed to intertie with the grid. Good frequency control is one thing, and matching the utility frequency and phase is something completely different.

Sorry again...

troy

[ Parent ]

Re: spin the meter backwards (none / 0) (#9)
by BrianK on Mon Nov 3rd, 2003 at 06:44:43 AM MST
(User Info)

well it was made to parrallel other gens U.S. army special

spin the meter backwards | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial)

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