DIY Green Building Retrofit For ML256 Shop

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Creator:
Spacefelix
Status:
In Planning
Born On:
16:32, 19 May 2009 (CDT)
Last Updated:
22:56, 03 July 2009 (CDT)

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 off-grid solar and wind power with energy storage - Size so shop will be fully self-powered.
  • Improve the efficiency of the shop - Install energy efficient lighting (CFLs and LED lights; factory-made and DIY), improve the building's insulation, make use of natural light to save electricity, implement a waste recycling program. Set up a computer to monitor the shop's power consumption/production, give power alerts and allow for remote data monitoring (over an IP).
  • 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:

  • Partially Complete - 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 Progress

5/28/09

  • We decided to start simple with an off-the-grid PV/wind system that would feed into power storage and a separate 120V AC wiring system for the ML256 shop. This would allow us to avoid restrictions from regulation, give us time to experiment and room to scale up the system. Any shop equipment that will be continuously on, and if possible, the shop lights would be connected to the system.
  • Our first step in this project would be to build a small PV/wind power system that would be used to evaluate how much energy we can harvest locally at the ML 256 shop and to gain experience with building a small PV/wind power system.
  • Will first power server room of ML256 shop with PV/wind system. The server room is 120V AC with consumption from 250-500 Watts.
  • AC power system will be used to allow people to simply plug in their hardware. We will be using a DC/AC power inverter to clean it up. Harbor Freight has regulators, charge controllers and inverters for sale for $180.00.
  • Someone mentioned that titanium dioxide power on a substrate makes a solar panel. Maybe something we can play with later...

Potential Project Collaboration

DIY Power System:

Energy Efficiency

Rainwater Sink & Natural Building:


Links

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