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Self Sufficient Energy Efficient House Design

Abstract

If energy requirements of electronic components and home appliances decline reasonably, then ambient energy scavenging and conversion could become a viable source of power for many applications. The potential ability to satisfy overall power and energy requirements of an application using ambient energy can eliminate some constraints related to conventional power sources. Recently, researchers have performed several studies in alternative energy sources that could provide high, medium and small amounts of power to electronic devices. These studies were focused to investigate and obtain power from different energy sources, such as vibration, light, wind, sound, airflow, heat, waste mechanical energy, human power and temperature variations. The purpose of this research was to study a house of the future intended to be predominately self sufficient, energy efficient, and ambient energy powered that would generate enough energy to power the house appliances. The self powered and energy efficient house idea was investigated to explore ways to convert environmental sustainable energy sources into electrical energy. Sources of ambient (environmental) energy were determined prior to design of the house in order to construct a house of maximum efficiency from ambient energy sources as a purpose of this research. This paper served to explain the first phase of the project which was to identify ambient energy sources and group in specific categories. The sources identified and listed in the table was supported by the literature review in academia and industry. The research works have been conducted so far, support the idea of having specific energy sources to power the house. The ambient energy collected from different sources was characterized as high, medium, and low power sources. Energy generation from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power sources was categorized as high power sources. Energy from pedaled chairs (new design) and tables (new design), fitness equipments, collected gray water (from sinks, bath and rain), city water, and some furniture was categorized as medium power sources. Power generation from opening/closing of doors and cabinet drawers, floor vibrations, clocks, heat differences, etc. was categorized as low power sources. All electrical energy collected from aforementioned sources is consolidated and retained in storage devices (batteries) using specially designed electrical energy harvesting and conversion circuits.

I. Introduction

Renewable energy today provides about 9% of the world’s energy and 8% to 10% of the U.S. needs[1]. However, in many parts of the world these percentages are increasing significantly. Renewable energy resources can be categorized into the forms of radiant solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal, mechanical etc. Renewable energy sources offer many advantages to an energy-hungry world. They can be used in many ways, offer minimal environmental problems, and can be harnessed with appropriate technology. These sources particularly offer hope to the developing countries who are economically disadvantaged by high energy cost. Every day, the earth receives thousands of times more energy from the sun than consumed by all other resources. Wind power is very a viable source of renewable energy where the wind is predominately available.

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Yildiz, F., & Coogler, K., & Fazarro, D. (2009, June), Self Sufficient, Energy Efficient House Design Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5161