Esplanade camps sharing a large generator

bradtem · Post by **bradtem** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:50 am

In years past my camp (Save the Man & Camp I Am) has been part of a "power village" where a group of camps ask to be placed together, and install a power "grid" with a large generator (we've done 60-150kw) providing all camp power including RV air conditioner power. This turns out to be cheaper, and much cleaner and quieter than having lots of individual generators going. (Many rental RVs pay $2-$3/hour to run their generator and this beats that hands down.)

However, the group that was doing this, revolving around Entheon, has dissolved. So I wonder, are other camps doing this, or are there other camps who would like to do this. My group is small (20-25) and thus is not likely the generator host, but we're able to make a good financial contribution and also offer expertise and logistic help in making it happen. Camp I Am is larger (150 or so) and may be the host site for a generator.

Or if you are a camp that is already planning to have such a generator and simply would be happy to have neighbour camps who want to participate and help reduce the cost I would be interested in hearing about this. We're not a sound camp at all. Camp I Am has live music in the evenings but not at heavy power. The power is mostly for lighting, tools, art and RVs.

If these descriptions fit you, let me know or post here. Soon of course as camp apps get filed this weekend!

We've done grids in the past serving as many as 1,000 campers and 70 or so RVs off a 150kw biodiesel generator. That's too much, we probably won't do that again. Grids off a 60kw serving 25-30 RVs and other needs are probably more in the direction needed.

Making such a grid is described in detail here: http://www.templetons.com/brad/burn/generators.html

(Those of you doing it on your own may still find that a handy document.)

Typically it involves renting a generator and distribution gear, and building RV distribution gear (we have already done that.) Somebody has to tow the generator from Reno unless you pay for delivery and pickup at high prices. Fuel delivery is arranged on playa but is somewhat random so a tote and pump is also good.

Center camp of course builds a big power distribution wheel, but we won't do anything quite that big.

dj_john69 · Post by **dj_john69** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:45 pm

Doesn't Burning Man have a power grid for certain camp areas ??

bradtem · Post by **bradtem** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:17 pm

Yes, it builds one around center camp. It has local power supplies at a few other locations. Otherwise camps are on their own, thus my proposal to share with other camps also interested.

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:53 pm

Hey Bradtem. There was just a thread recently from a camp talking about this same thing. Maybe you could enlist them to your cause. Looked aroung a little but then got distracted.

abeille · Post by **abeille** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:05 pm

We need about 30kW and would be willing to share. We own a distribution panel wired for 3 phase and have a few years experience setting up a large generator and grid.

Last year we rented a 70kW trailer generator. And, since it was only $90 more for the week for 30kW more power, we gave away the excess to our neighbors.

But now we are all poorer and our rental company jacked it's price > 2X :( We need to mitigate the cost.

Hit me off-line:

bryanwilkerson(at)yahoo(dot)com

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:24 pm

I just called United Rental and I was quoted $775.00 per week for a 70KVA unit picked up and returned in reno. This was over the 800 number, but I bet if someone talked to the right location they might even cut a better deal, delivered etc.. That does not include fuel and arrangements can be made to have your unit re-filled daily.

I don't recall the names of the camps but United Rental people are also burners and have had a camp in center village for years.

bradtem · Post by **bradtem** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 8:28 pm

I outline a bit of that in my article and just added some.

Yes, it is pretty much always cheaper to get a bigger generator and have others share the cost, even counting the expensive wire you have to get. The downsides are the length of the wire, the more skills the people running it need to have, the need to trench under roads and other areas, and the risk that if the generator is down, everybody is down -- though you still have RVs.

And don't forget, to most of these companies, unless explicitly agreed to, a "week" is 40 hours, ie. a work-week. If you want the 168 hours of a fulltime playa week, expect to pay a bunch more.

Stickygreen · Post by **Stickygreen** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:43 am

usefull information bradtem, I'm not needing to build a power grid this year, but I'll pass request on to those I know.

Esplanade camps sharing a large generator

Esplanade camps sharing a large generator

Center camp

Space Virgins and Area 47 looking to share power

Cost of generators