Self-contained renewable energy system

An integrated system for exploiting renewable energy sources, the system comprising:

• (a) a solar heat collector;
• (b) a low heat engine, and heat conducting means between the solar collector and the engine;
• (c) a wind power generator comprising propeller means for tapping energy from wind;
• (d) an electric generator means, and mechanical connection means between the propeller and the electric generator means;
• (e) storage battery means in electrical conduction with the electric generator means for storing wind energy;
• (f) electrical load means for operating various devices;
• (g) power control switches, the power control switches being in electrical conduction with the electrical generator means, the load means, and the storage battery means, such that any two of the load means can be alternatively or simultaneously in electrical conduction with the generator means and the storage batteries;
• (h) pump drive means for transferring power from the low-heat engine;
• (i) mechanical pumping means in driven connection with the pump drive means and designed to be powered by the low-heat engine;
• (j) desalinating means in fluid pressure connection with the mechanical pumping means whereby sea water can be pumped under pressure by the pump means to the desalinating means, the desalinating means comprising membrane means, designed to permit the passage of water but to substantially prevent or limit the passage of salt ions, whereby sea water is desalinated;
• (k) electrolysis means for electrolyzing water, in fluid flow connection with the desalinating means to receive desalinated water therefrom, the electrolysis means being in electrically conducting contact with the electric power distribution control means such that electrolysis can be carried out by using electrical energy obtained directly from the electrical generators or from storage batteries, to generate hydrogen gas;
• (l) carbon dioxide generating means;
• (m) methanol generating means, in fluid flow connection with the electrolysis means to receive hydrogen and with the carbon dioxide generating means to receive carbon dioxide, and designed to contain a reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to form methanol, and liquid methanol fuel storage means in fluid flow connection with the methanol generating means;
• and
• (n) combustion engine means, in fluid flow connection with the methanol storage means;
• and mechanical drive means between the combustion engine and the electric generator means to cause the generation of electricity;
• wherein the system is located adjacent a body of saline water.