SustainableEngineering@Edinburgh

1. SustainableEngineering@Edinburgh Group 16: Sustainable Living in Domestic Housing: Harnessing the Earth’s Elements By: Craig Ramsay (s0566063); Stacey Mackay (s0567922); Thomas Mullan (s0569477); Charles Ekpo-Umo (s0567702)IMS3/MSFM3 Sustainability Module, March 2008 Sun Wind Photovoltaic Cells ●Photovoltaic cells capture the suns radiation which is then converted into electricity. ●Solar panels are fitted to the exterior of the building, along with either batteries or simply connected directly to the national grid. ●As energy is collected in DC format both systems require a DC to AC converter. Wind Turbines ●These are propeller driven devices rotating a rotor to generate electricity. ●Ideally these generators need to be built on high, level ground with limited obstructions but they can also be fitted to the roof of a house to take advantage of the height. ●Systems vary in size but typical domestic turbines generate 1-6 kilowatts at any one time. Solar Water Heating ●These systems use the suns energy to heat water as part of a houses central heating system. ●As with photovoltaic cells the solar panel collectors are fitted to the buildings exterior. ●This method of heating water requires no fossil fuels, simply the free, totally renewable heat from the sun. Benefits of These Sustainable Systems: ● Greywater usage could reduce domestic water consumption by up to 1/3. ● Although the power generation of wind turbines is known, case studies are being monitored to determine potential savings in a domestic situation. ● Studies of geothermal systems have shown that a saving of up to 2/3 of annual heating costs is not uncommon. ● Solar water heating used in conjunction with conventional boilers can help to lower the temporal CO2 emissions and cost of running of existing systems by reducing the amount of gas or electricity required. Earth Geothermal Heating ●This is a system consisting of a series of absorber pipes buried beneath the Ground surface. ●Heat is transferred from or to the ground to heat or cool a building. A heat exchanger can be used to maximise the potential of the heat within the ground. ●Systems can be fitted within the piles or foundations of a building as concrete is a good conductor of heat, or laid randomly under approximately 6m of ground cover. Water Storm Water Ponds ● Storm water is collected and channelled into a pond where it is treated naturally to be reused as domestic grey water, a term referring to the wastewater collected from baths, showers and basins. ● This water can be reused locally for non-potable water needs such as toilet flushing and irrigation. ● Water used for flushing toilets accounts for around a third of total domestic water usage representing a large potential water and financial saving if greywater could be utilised for this need. ● Storm water ponds can be integrated into greywater recycling systems so as to retain sustainability over the warmer, dryer summer months when a storm pond may run low or dry. • References • Scholz M. (2004), Case Study: Design, Operation, Maintenance and Water Quality Management of Sustainable Storm water Ponds for Roof Run-off, Bioresource Technology, 95 (3), 269-279. • Bahaj, A. 2005. Solar Photovoltaic Energy: Generation in the Built Environment. Civil Engineering, vol 158, no. 6, November, 45-51. • Batchelor, T. 2005. Geothermal Energy a Major Renewable Energy Source. Civil Engineering, vol 158, no. 6, November, 40-44. • Energy Saving Trust. (2007) “Microwind” 16th May 2007: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/generate_your_own_energy/types_of_renewables/microwind