Sovereignty Module: Harness the Power
Complete Energy Systems: From Source to Application
Energy multiplies human capability. This campaign covers all energy sources available for rebuilding: fire, water, wind, solar, steam, and electricity.
Chapter 1: Energy Sources Comparison
| Source | Reliability | Power Output | Complexity | Fuel Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firewood | High (if forest available) | Low-moderate (heat) | Very low | Continuous harvest | Heating, cooking, charcoal |
| Charcoal | High (if made) | Moderate-high (heat) | Low (to make) | Wood (batch process) | Metalworking, high-heat |
| Water wheel | High (if stream available) | Moderate-high (mechanical) | Moderate | None (flowing water) | Milling, sawing, pumping |
| Windmill | Variable (wind dependent) | Moderate (mechanical) | Moderate-high | None (wind) | Pumping, milling |
| Animal power | High (if animals available) | Low-moderate (mechanical) | Low | Feed (continuous) | Plowing, transport, milling |
| Human power | Always available | Very low | None | Food | Cranks, treadmills, pedals |
| Steam engine | High (if fuel available) | High (mechanical/electrical) | High | Wood, coal, any fuel | Industry, electricity, pumping |
| Solar (thermal) | Moderate (daylight only) | Low-moderate (heat) | Low-moderate | None (sunlight) | Water heating, cooking, drying |
| Solar (photovoltaic) | Moderate (daylight only) | Low-moderate (electrical) | Moderate | None (sunlight) | Electricity (if panels available) |
| Biogas (methane) | Moderate | Low-moderate (heat/power) | Moderate | Manure, organic waste | Cooking, lighting, small engines |
Chapter 2: Water Power
| Type | Head (fall) | Flow Needed | Output | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undershot wheel | 1-6 ft | High | Low-moderate | Low | Slow rivers, low head |
| Overshot wheel | 6-30 ft | Low-moderate | High | Moderate | Streams with fall, most efficient |
| Breastshot wheel | 3-15 ft | Moderate | Moderate-high | Moderate | Medium head sites |
| Pelton wheel (impulse) | 30-1,000+ ft | Very low | High | High | High head, low flow (mountain streams) |
| Turbine (reaction) | 3-30 ft | Moderate-high | Very high | Very high | Maximum efficiency, electricity |
| Ram pump | 3+ ft fall | Moderate | Pumping only | Low | Pumping water uphill, no electricity |
Overshot water wheel: Most efficient (85%+). Water enters top of wheel, weight of water turns wheel. Wheel diameter = slightly less than available head (fall). Width = 6-12". Buckets hold water until bottom. Shaft transfers power to mill, saw, or generator. Build from wood. Lasts 20+ years with maintenance. 10 ft wheel with good flow = 1-5 HP.
Chapter 3: Wind Power
| Type | Wind Speed Needed | Output | Complexity | Materials | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savonius (vertical axis) | Low (5+ mph) | Very low | Low | Sheet metal, barrel | Pumping, low-power |
| American farm windmill | Moderate (8+ mph) | Low-moderate | Moderate | Steel, wood | Water pumping |
| Dutch windmill | Moderate (10+ mph) | Moderate-high | High | Wood, canvas, stone | Milling, sawing, pumping |
| Horizontal axis (modern) | Moderate (8+ mph) | Moderate-high | High | Blades, generator, tower | Electricity generation |
| Drag-type (simple) | Low (5+ mph) | Very low | Very low | Any flat material | Demonstration, low-power |
Wind power rules: Power increases with cube of wind speed (double wind = 8× power). Tower height matters (wind faster higher up). Minimum 30 ft tower. Site on hilltop or open area. Prevailing wind direction determines orientation. Furling mechanism needed for storms. Battery storage essential (wind is intermittent).
Chapter 4: Steam Power
| Component | Function | Material | Difficulty | Safety Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler | Heat water to steam | Steel (pressure vessel) | Very high | EXTREME (explosion) |
| Firebox | Burn fuel to heat boiler | Steel, firebrick | Moderate | Moderate (fire) |
| Piston/cylinder | Convert steam pressure to motion | Cast iron, steel | Very high | Moderate |
| Flywheel | Smooth power delivery | Cast iron, heavy steel | Moderate | Moderate (spinning mass) |
| Governor | Regulate speed | Mechanical (centrifugal) | High | Low |
| Condenser | Recover water, increase efficiency | Copper/steel tubing | Moderate | Low |
| Safety valve | Prevent over-pressure | Spring-loaded valve | Critical | EXTREME if missing |
Steam safety: NEVER operate a boiler without a working safety valve. Boiler explosions are catastrophic (equivalent to bomb). Pressure vessels must be professionally built or thoroughly tested. Water level must be maintained (dry boiler = explosion). Regular inspection of all fittings. Steam burns are severe (hotter than boiling water due to pressure).
Chapter 5: Electricity Generation
| Method | Output | Reliability | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water turbine + generator | 100W-100kW+ | Very high (24/7) | High | Permanent settlement near stream |
| Wind turbine + generator | 100W-10kW | Variable | High | Windy locations |
| Steam engine + generator | 1kW-100kW+ | High (if fuel available) | Very high | Industrial power |
| Bicycle generator | 50-100W | Human-powered | Low | Emergency, charging |
| Solar panels + inverter | 100W-10kW+ | Moderate (daylight) | Moderate | If panels available |
| Biogas engine + generator | 500W-5kW | Moderate | High | Farms (manure available) |
Battery basics: Lead-acid (car batteries): 12V, 50-100Ah. Charge to 14.4V, discharge to 11.8V minimum. Never discharge below 50% (shortens life). Keep terminals clean. Check water level monthly (distilled water only). Store charged (discharged batteries sulfate and die). Bank multiple batteries in parallel (same voltage, more capacity) or series (more voltage).
Reference Card
- Water wheel: most reliable off-grid power. Overshot wheel = 85% efficient. 10 ft wheel = 1-5 HP continuous. Runs 24/7.
- Wind: power = cube of wind speed. Double the wind = 8× power. Height matters. 30 ft minimum tower. Intermittent (need storage).
- Steam: DANGEROUS. Never without safety valve. Professional boiler construction only. Explosion = catastrophic.
- Firewood: 1 cord = 20 million BTU. Hardwood > softwood. Season 1 year. 5-10 cords/year for heating (cold climate).
- Charcoal: 2× heat of wood, no smoke. Make in covered pit or retort. 5:1 wood to charcoal ratio. Essential for metalworking.
- Solar thermal: black pipe/tank in sun = free hot water. Passive solar building design = free heating. South-facing glass + thermal mass.
- Biogas: sealed tank + manure + water + time = methane. Burns clean for cooking/lighting. 1 cow's manure = cooking fuel for 1 family.
- Human power: bicycle generator = 50-100W. Enough to charge batteries, run lights, power radio. Always available.