DIY Green Building Retrofit For ML256 Shop
From Makers Local 256
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[hide]Overview
The this project is for the design, building and implementation of a green building retrofit for the ML256 shop.
Systems & Goals
The goal of this project is to retrofit the ML256 shop with elements of green building. To achieve this, the following systems will be installed:
- 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.
System Definitions, Designs & Considerations
DIY Power System
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:
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
To Dos
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:
- Codes & regulations - Research codes and regulations relating to grid-tied power systems that use energy storage.
- Removability - ML256 shop is rented, so installed systems must not be permanent.
- Safety - System failures will not cause harm or damage to anything or anyone.
- Durability - System requires minimal maintenance, can withstand damage and will not fail prematurely.
- System capacity - Can a DIY system produce enough for our shop?
- System manufacturability - Can we build a DIY system that meets our standards? Or will we need to buy parts and specialized skills?
- 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...
Project Collaboration
DIY Power System:
Energy Efficiency:
Rainwater Sink & Natural Building:
