Info
This self-sustaining house is designed to run on two main power sources: solar and hydro power. Since this house is designed to be implemented in the tropical environment of Florida, both sunlight and rainfall will be abundant enough to be power a hydroelectric generator and solar panels.
Porous Pavement
Porous pavement has been shown to have a very high removal rate for total suspended solids, metals, and oil and grease. It has also been shown to be the less expensive option when compared to regular asphalt and has been showed to last over twenty years due to its porous structure. After a twenty year duration, the material has shown to have very little if any cracking or pothole problems. There are several examples of the pavement lasting over 30 years also. Porous pavements are among the most effective treatment methods for reducing pollution in storm water runoff from pavements according to a University of New Hampshire study. [7]
Solar Panels
How they work
Solar panels are comprised of many units called photovoltaic cells which absorb photons from the sun. The photons excite electrons in the cell free from its atoms which in turn generate electricity.
The photovoltaic cells are comprised of two silicon layers, which have scattered positively and negatively charged particles scattered throughout. The difference in charges creates an electric field, which occurs during separation of charges. The excited electron is knocked free form this electric field and travels to other components to become usable energy. Conductive metal plates collect electrons and provide a pathway for the electrons to flow through wires, just like a current. This direct current will eventually flow through an inverter to become an alternating current to be used by the home [2].
Solar panels lined along the roof of the house will be positioned to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight based on the environment of the house. Today, solar panels generally hover around 15-20% efficiency. This means only about 15-20% of the energy of the photons that strike the cells can be converted to usable energy. However, the average solar panel will still be able to produce a maximum of 200 . A system of 25 panels should produce 5kwh of energy, which would be enough to power a standard home [3].
Hydroelectric Generator
How it works
Hydroelectric power is a combination of water flow and water pressure. Hydroelectric turbines work by converting the energy of flowing water into mechanical energy and then into electricity. These turbines are based on the principles of Faraday which states that when a magnet is moved over a conductor, it causes electricity to flow. Many modern turbines can convert as much as 90% of the available energy into electricity which is a lot better than even fossil fuels. Hydropower provides more than 97% of all electricity generated by renewable sources worldwide [5].
Wind Turbine
A wind turbine is a machine that converts kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. It consists of a tower, nacelle, and a rotor. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. A small home-sized wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stands upwards of 30 feet." For a turbine to generate enough power to be of any use, it needs to be consistently hit with wind at speeds above 5 miles per hour" [6].
Zero net energy house
A zero net energy house is a house which is completely self-sufficient or very close to being self-sufficient. Most zero net energy homes use forms of alternative energy along with architectural factors to make the house very self-sustaining. Several factors need to be addressed when designing a house like this. Some factors include air tightness, insulation, solar exposure, and energy efficiency. [1].
The site of the house is very important for choosing where to build the house. The house should be placed in such a way which will allow for a south facing roof to maximize the amount of sun light able to be collected. The site should be placed in a place where there is minimal solar obstructions such as trees, neighboring homes and natural landforms. If the site where to include a water collecting system, it is important for the house to be placed in a location where there in an amply supply of water. [1]
The design of the house is an important step for building the house. There are many factors that need to be examined when designing the house. The size and placement of the windows, energy conserving wall assembly, simple, appealing lines without sprawl or unnecessary corners, strategies for reducing heat loss through conduction, and where to place the wiring of the house. Energy consultants should be used in order to maximize the self-sustainability of the house. [1]
The size and shape of the house are also important when building the house. Smaller houses generally use less energy. Therefore, limiting the size of the house can be a useful tool in increasing the efficiency of the house. With a proper design, a 10% decrease in size can pay for the some costs of the alternative energy sources will having a minimal impact on livability and quality. This design would cut down on unnessacary space and maximize the amount of livable room. [1]
The shape of a house can also have a dramatic effect on the overall efficiency. "A building with a low exterior surface to volume ratio, with simple clean lines and minimal “corners” will save energy and construction costs." [1]. A design to use the sun is crucial to making a net zero house. Passive solar design concepts should be implemented when ever possible. "The home’s overhangs, window header heights, window sill heights, and door heights should be coordinated and designed to optimize the use of the solar energy available for the specific site and climate."[1]. If the house uses other forms of alternative energy, those sources should tried to be optimized without affecting the performance of the solar energy apparatus. For example, if hydroelectric were to be used, the water collecting and energy producing system should work with the solar system in order to produce the maximum amount of energy possible but also be able to operate independently of it as well. [1]
Dome Homes
Dome homes are becoming the newest innovation in house designs. Dome homes are nature's most energy efficient shape. They have the most living area with the least amount of surface area. Dome homes have 30% less surface area and use about a third less lumber to make than their rectangular counterparts. Dome homes are also 5 times stronger and have been shown to survive many natural disasters. Since a dome home contains 30 % less surface area than a rectangular home, this results in less ways that heat can be lost and on average, dome houses, save 30% or more on heating and cooling bills.[4]
Useful Links:
Useful Articles:
- http://www.greenoptimistic.com/hydroelectric-generator/#.Vwu_RhMrKt9
- https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/programs/master-gardeners/Howardcounty/Baywise/PermeablePavingHowardCountyMasterGardeners10_5_11%20Final.pdf
Citation
[1] Emerson, J, & Offut, J, Zero Energy Home Design, Available [ online ]http://www.zerohomes.org/zero-energy-home-design/
[2] http://www.livescience.com/41995-how-do-solar-panels-work.html
[3] Solar energy: Available [online] http://www.solarcity.com/residential/solar-energy-faqs/solar-energy-production
[4]Hogan, M. (n.d.). 5 great reasons to build a geodesic dome home. Available [online] http://inhabitat.com/5-great-reasons-to-build-a-geodesic-dome-home/
[5] Hydroelectric Power: Available [online ]
http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/hydroelectric.html
[6] Amy Westervelt Rooftop Pipe-Dream , Available [online]
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/green_room/2011/02/rooftop_pipedream.html
[7] Porous Asphalt , Available [online]
http://www.asphaltpavement.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=359&Itemid=863
Good start on defining your research sources.
ReplyDeleteThe background research would benefit through the use of images.
ReplyDelete