NigelWaring
05-01-2009, 12:05 PM
The following is an extract from my Travel Blog for The Grampians, this relates to a YHA where they recycle just about everything and generate most of their own power. I think it holds about 60 people and illustrates that it is possible to provide for a large number of people on a sustainable basis. The hostel is almost self supporting on both energy and water use without any suffering to anyone. This hostel was was of the most comfortable that we have ever visited and was better than some small hotels and self catering units that we have experienced. It was so nice to know that we had minimised the damage that our visit did to the environment.
On arrival in the Grampians, we based ourselves at the YHA Eco-hostel in Halls Gap. This hostel is connected to the national grid but manages to generate a net surplus of solar power, which results in them receiving a cheque each year from the local electricity company. Hot water is also generated by solar power and there seems to be plenty of it, the showers were piping hot all the time. They also collect rainwater, which is used in the laundry and recycle the shower water for flushing toilets. There is only a very small use of town water for drinking, cooking and the washroom.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/NigelWaring/Assorted/YHAMainEntrance.jpg
The main entrance to the YHA, the building is constructed from some timber but mainly compressed clay slabs for insulation.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/NigelWaring/Assorted/YHAMainEntrance.jpg
One the left are some of the solar hot water heaters and on the right the photo-voltaic panels, these will generate a maximum of 12.5 kilowatts, electricity is only used for lighting and cooking so most of the time there is a surplus that goes into the national grid.
On arrival in the Grampians, we based ourselves at the YHA Eco-hostel in Halls Gap. This hostel is connected to the national grid but manages to generate a net surplus of solar power, which results in them receiving a cheque each year from the local electricity company. Hot water is also generated by solar power and there seems to be plenty of it, the showers were piping hot all the time. They also collect rainwater, which is used in the laundry and recycle the shower water for flushing toilets. There is only a very small use of town water for drinking, cooking and the washroom.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/NigelWaring/Assorted/YHAMainEntrance.jpg
The main entrance to the YHA, the building is constructed from some timber but mainly compressed clay slabs for insulation.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/NigelWaring/Assorted/YHAMainEntrance.jpg
One the left are some of the solar hot water heaters and on the right the photo-voltaic panels, these will generate a maximum of 12.5 kilowatts, electricity is only used for lighting and cooking so most of the time there is a surplus that goes into the national grid.