Energy idea rock solid

Bendigo Advertiser
Tuesday 30/1/2007 Page: 8

THE PUSH to convert to or invest in alternative energy sources has intensified within the past 12 months from all tiers of government.

However, it is a little too late to tell ex-engineer Manfred Pruter of the benefits. His Harcourt North property is energy efficient, water smart and eyecatching.

About 15 years ago, Mr Pruter and his wife, Nita, moved from Melbourne to their North Harcourt property, and embarked on a mission to make their house somewhat different.

Disconnected from the main grid, Manfred and Nita's power and water supply is generated from their own property. The Pruters have two wind turbines, a restored windmill and two large solar panels. When the amount of sunlight decreases, solar panels are not as effective.

With town water not on the agenda, the Pruters have restored a rock face to catch water.

"We were lucky enough to find a rock we could clean up," Mr Pruter said. "The water rolled down the hill, so I installed a small rim of concrete to prevent wastage. "It then falls into a pit, and then a tank." Cleaning the rock initially to ensure it was safe to use as drinking water involved a bobcat and a backhoe, and a lot of elbow grease.

The process was completed by using a high pressure water gun to remove stubborn dirt and earth. Recent rain was, like for many others in region, a godsend of sorts for the Pruters.

"The tank was overflowing," Mr Pruter said. "About 20 mm equates to about one square metre for us, so we had about 18000 mm - 180 cm. "When the water overflows, it goes straight to the ground or the plants, so it doesn't go to waste."

The Pruters also have a collection facility for rainwater from the roof of their home. For such occurrences, and especially for the cooler seasons of winter and spring, Manfred and Nita have 60,000 litres of water kept underground.

The underground storing method keeps the water warm and means that the Pruters are never short of a warm shower in winter. Manfred said that problems that have plagued Coliban reservoirs and catchments have not affected their water collection facilities.

"We have no absorption or evaporation," he said. The dry times mean that water consciousness is a compulsory thought process for all Victorians. Manfred believes that some of his ideas should be adopted into the wider community.

"Harcourt is rocky," he said.