Role 10Infrastructure

Energy, Fuel & Heating

Recommended holders

2–3

Load rating

Season

Year-round; wood prep peaks summer/fall

About this role

The we-conomy's energy system has three tiers: primary solar for electricity, firewood for heat, and propane or diesel as backup. In a northern plains location with 300+ days of sunshine per year, solar is highly viable. But the winter heating load is severe — at -20°F, a northern homestead burns wood prodigiously — and the firewood operation is one of the largest non-food labor draws on the collective.

A realistic firewood estimate for 12 homes plus the communal barn in a cold northern climate: 20–30 cords per year. At approximately 1.5–2 hours of processing labor per cord, that is 30–60 person-days of wood work annually. The Energy role must be able to mobilize community labor for wood days.

Key processes

Solar system design and sizing

A rough estimate for a frugal collective: 3–5 kWh/day per household, or 30–60 kWh/day total. System requirements: 15–30 kW of panels, 40–80 kWh of battery storage (LiFePO4 for best cycle life), 8–15 kW inverter capacity. Budget $50,000–$150,000 for community scale.

Firewood program

Begin processing in July for the following winter — wood needs 6–12 months to season. The process: fell dead or designated timber, buck into 18–24 inch rounds, split using hydraulic splitter, stack in covered ricks to dry. All chainsaw operators must have safety training.

Generator maintenance

A 10–20 kW diesel or propane generator as backup. Run monthly even when not needed. Change oil every 100 hours of operation. Maintain a 6-month fuel reserve.

Heating system design

An EPA-certified wood stove (70%+ efficiency) can heat a 1,000 sq ft home comfortably. Rocket mass heaters burn very little wood extremely efficiently and store heat in thermal mass. Propane as backup for extreme cold events.

Energy monitoring

Monitor solar production and battery state of charge daily in winter. If battery state drops below 50%, run the generator immediately. Deep discharge damages battery banks.

Critical warnings

Burning unseasoned (green) wood is wasteful, creates dangerous creosote buildup, and can cause chimney fires.

Clean all chimney systems annually. Chimney fires are a serious risk.

Chainsaw safety is not optional. Every operator must have training and appropriate PPE.

Connects directly to

Repairs & Machinery Building & Construction Water Management Food Prep & Preservation Farming Crops

Good supplement pairings

Repairs & Machinery (solar); Building & Construction (off-season); Hunting & Trapping (chainsaw skills overlap)

Key insight

Energy and repairs should share personnel where possible — the solar maintainer and the mechanical repair person have overlapping skills.