Finally decided to register after a long time lurking, thought I'd say hi.
I've been interested in RE for a long time, not so much fearing y2k or mass anarchy, but I think because people naturally have an interest in being self sufficient and independent. I haven't had a good spot to try out many of my ideas, with tiny city lots, but I think that could change soon.
One of the most interesting ideas I've seen is the solar closet idea Nick Pine has been talking about for years on the usenet boards. It seems like a simple & cheap way to store lots of BTU's. Providing for a homes heat & hot water is a big step. I've spent a lot of time wondering about ways to use that cheap heat to generate electricity too, even at low efficiency it could be a good source. I'd like to design a whole system around that energy source, providing for all the energy needs of a home. I'm interested in the discussions here along the heat engine lines for that reason.
I guess my favorite thing about this site is the focus on 'what can I build at home' with very little time spent on shopping lists. I hope I can help out a little here and there.
bp
