Mostly multi-modal adventures and #DaysOutByBus. Perfectly content having few followers and little engagement on here, I post mainly for my own amusement!
Whitley Bay
Joined December 2016
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Using energy unnecessarily for only a few pence benefit is not a sensible approach - the extra wear and tear would ultimately cost more. But it was a useful proof of concept for in the winter when the heating will be on...I managed to get my power draw as high as 8.5kW.
The remaining 5kWh, plus 4.9kWh of solar generation, was used on unnecessary electricity use: tumble dryer, heating on etc. after about 3 hrs I gave up on the tumble dryer - as wind was blowing and no rain I pegged it out for its last airing. Then it rained (luckily I got it in)
At 16:00 and the end of being paid to use electricity, it looks like I've managed to import 17kWh from the grid and earned about 30p in the process. I'd say about 2kWh of that was genuine usage plus 10kWh charging battery to export back at over 22ppkWh around 18:30.
ALT electricity use statistics
Larger radiators came with the install to meet the current thermal efficiency of the property but if I put in wall insulation that would improve things. I'm struggling to get any companies to reply on quoting for that, so I think I'm going to see how I get on this winter first.
The challenge with heating is that I have a large, high ceilinged old house with solid brick walls, so I don't expect it to be particularly good at retaining heat. With a heat pump giving lower heat output you're meant to have it on all the time (even though I'll be out at work)
So with the sun still giving decent solar generation (though not so much today) and no central heating it seems I can be zero/negative energy cost probably from April to Sept. The challenge is to see how low I can keep it over the winter with low solar and heating on...
Agile tariff is about 10p more standing charge than standard tariffs so I need to make up at least that per day. So far this week my energy cost inc standing charge has been £6.40 but I have made £6.57 exporting to the grid.
In total I'll probably earn/save about £3 today...got to start getting ROI on £15k investment given that I barely use any energy so the cost didn't make financial sense. But as I was refurbishing so thought I would future proof. Ironically it'd make more sense if I had a ZEV
I discharged my battery at higher rates this morning, current electricity load fulfilled by solar. Strategy for 10am-4pm: heating on, washing on then tumble dried (it is due to rain), devices on charge, TV/lights on, battery charged, hot water cylinder on at 60° legionella cycle
I'm normally the last to put on my central heating, but having had solar, battery and heat pump installed at the beginning of the month and my Agile Import and Export tariffs now live, from 10am for the first time I have the perverse incentive of being paid to use electricity...
ALT Agile import tariff paying you to use electricity
Back in Newcastle, a short hop on the 63 to the blood donor centre. Where my iron test didn't fail so I could give blood (as I was on my last go before being banished!) Quick bleed and out in less than half an hour for bus and Metro back.
To mix it up on the return, I timed for an X14 with one of the new ADL Enviro 400 MMC diesels. Suffice to say, not quite the same ambience.
ALT ADL Enviro 400 MMC
ALT top deck
ALT screens
ALT lower deck
My first time on one in service, and these buses are really nice. Working USB charging at more than the usual negative trickle, quiet, no vibration, air cooling and soft suspension giving a smooth ride like on air.
ALT top deck front seat
ALT top deck environment with sky light
ALT Squadron service
ALT Off at Stobhill
This was quite a tight 4 minute connection (just what I like!) but the 57A kept to time, even being held at the level crossing for a Northumberland Line train (though the barrier down time is impressively short) and the 43 was similarly on time giving a perfect JIT at Manor Walks
ALT quick 5 minute connection
ALT one diesel and two ZEBs
ALT Northumbria Electric ZEB
Although every day is a car free day for me, as it's #WorldCarFreeDay we had our regional meeting at Morpeth Town Hall so, though not the fastest route (Metro + an X route) I took the opportunity to take the 57A to Cramlington to connect with one of the new BYD ZEBs on the 43
ALT On the 57A held by the wigwags for a 156 on the Northumberland Line
After lunch and 3 hours at the park with her friends, quick trip to granddad's on the 309, then home on the Metro. Spoilt for choice for a Sunday Just In Time...The one day of the year with London frequencies. And all today's travel for £1 less than the usual £7.50 TNE
Day Saver
ALT lots of Metros
ALT quietish Metro
Slow progress round the roundabout but then flying into the Tyne Tunnel and the ghost town of the north of the river and Big Calvert. 12 mins and 30 mins for Metros back, obviously focusing first on South Shield by this time! And looks like we could have taken bikes after all
ALT 319 at Big Calvert
ALT North Shields Metro
ALT quiet Metro with a bike on
About ten mins away from the bus stop, I'd checked the tracker and the bus was in Jarrow heading to North Shields, so I'd assumed we would end up getting the one 30 mins later. However it took another 20 mins for the bus to do the 500m to the stop so we made it not even JIT
ALT waiting for the bus
ALT bus in a queue
Half an hour later and we were at the 8 mile mark, unfortunately about 20 minutes too early for a JIT but we saw a few more people we knew fly by. Sister passing by bang on her target time, it was back of to do the reverse trip (no round trip fun today as it would go against b))
ALT 8 mile marker
ALT watching the runners