DIY Green Building Retrofit For ML256 Shop

Overview

The goal of this project is to design, build and implement green building retrofit for the ML256 shop.

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DIY Green Building Retrofit For ML256 Shop:

The goal of this project is to retrofit the ML256 shop with elements of green building: Goal List:

   * Install DIY grid-tied solar and wind power with energy storage - Size so shop will be fully self-powered.
   * Improve the energy efficiency of the shop - Install energy efficient lighting (CFLs and LED lights; factory-made and DIY), improve the building's insulation.
   * Solar Passive Design - Install greenhouses on the south wall of the shop to absorb and capture solar energy to heat the shop at night.
   * Rainwater Sink - Collect, filter and purify rainwater from roof to use in a shop sink. Graywater will be processed in an artificial wetland and used to water a garden.
   * Natural Building - Turn the outer walls into 'Living Walls' to provide cooling by transpiration and insulation by plant mass.

Right now, I am focusing on the DIY grid-tied solar and wind power system with energy storage. Here are my design notes so far:

DIY Grid-Tied Solar & Wind Power w/ Energy Storage - System Considerations

   * Shop energy requirements
   * Energy quantity collectible from local area
   * Energy storable
   * Space for solar and wind equipment
   * Local building codes
   * Removable
   * Safety
   * Durability
   * System capacity
   * System manufacturability
   * Cost

So to see how far we can go with a DIY system and to explore the above considerations, the following needs to be done:

   * Evaluate shop power consumption- Need electrical and gas bills for shop.
   * Evaluate the local wind and solar energy collectible (insolation and wind profile on property, solar and wind system configurations).
   * Evaluate energy storage methods - Determine how much do needs to be stored and how it can be done.
   * Space - Determine where we can build within the limits of the property (vertically and laterally), building codes, our shop's insurance policy and our neighbors.
   * Make an initial design of the system based on data from the last 3 steps.
   * Start Refining The Design w/ the following considerations:

         o Codes & regulations - Research codes and regulations relating to grid-tied power systems that use energy storage.
         o Removability - ML256 shop is rented, so installed systems must not be permanent.
         o Safety - System failures will not cause harm or damage to anything or anyone.
         o Durability - System requires minimal maintenance, can withstand damage and will not fail prematurely.
         o System capacity - Can a DIY system produce enough for our shop?
         o System manufacturability - Can we build a DIY system that meets our standards? Or will we need to buy parts and specialized skills?
         o Cost - Are we over budget?

   * Start building small test articles to test if the design meets expectations.
   * Reevaluate and retest the design until the system works.

Only then, do we go big with the system...

[[Category:Energy_Harvesting][Category:Green]]