SELF-RELIANCE · ENERGY · WATER · FOOD

SELF-RELIANCE & ENERGY

Plan bounded, safe and maintainable independence: measure demand, build protected low-voltage energy paths, safeguard water and food, and test realistic seasonal operation.

SELF-RELIANCE & ENERGY

How this area is structured

Define which services must work independently and for how long

Measure daily energy use, continuous load, start-up power and reserve

Put heat, water, power and food in a fixed priority order

Compare what is practical in a flat, house, garden and mobile setup

Plan backups, spare parts and maintenance for likely failures

Understand how cells, modules, voltage, current and power relate

Plan a stand-alone solar system in the correct order

Calculate daily energy use and the required solar array size

Choose a PWM or MPPT controller from the system values

Calculate required battery capacity and permitted current

Check inverter continuous power, start-up surge and losses

Connect modules in series or parallel and calculate the resulting values

Size cables, fuses and DC isolators correctly

Build a safe 12/24-volt system in the correct sequence

Plan for shade, orientation, temperature and winter yield

Measure the system and trace faults from module to load

Compare LiFePO4 and lead batteries by usable energy and operating conditions

Calculate usable energy, discharge current and battery runtime

Choose between a DC and 230-volt appliance by total energy use

Classify loads and run high-power equipment at favourable times

Monitor a battery and protect it from deep discharge, overcurrent and poor storage

Understand how motion in a magnetic field produces voltage

Choose a compatible motor, shaft, bearings, belt and mounting

Assemble a guarded 12/24-volt hand-crank generator

Connect bicycle and generator securely and set the drive ratio

Arrange the rectifier, fuses, controller and meters correctly

Calculate drive ratio and realistic electrical output

Charge a battery through the correct controller and supply DC loads safely

Test the generator in stages and locate faults from measurements

Measure wind at the planned site and calculate realistic output

Measure head and flow to calculate possible hydropower

Use wood and biomass safely in an approved appliance

Heat water safely with a solar shower or solar thermal system

Connect solar, generator and storage without back-feeding

Calculate, store and rotate household water

Collect rainwater and divert the contaminated first runoff

Treat water for the likely contamination and store it safely

Plan growing space from sun, soil, water, labour and yield

Protect soil and make well-aerated compost

Choose crops and rotate plant families between beds

Collect, dry, store and germination-test seed

Preserve harvests using validated drying, canning or fermentation methods

Calculate harvest, stocks and use for each winter month

Inspect an off-grid site in different seasons

Reduce heat loss and moisture in living spaces

Cook and heat safely off grid

Keep drinking water, greywater and toilet waste separate

Keep critical spares, tools and repair instructions ready

Check permits, fire safety and effects on neighbours before building

Test off-grid supplies for seven, 30 and 90 days