Following the “Buildings as Power Stations” concept developed by the SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre and as part of the Wales Low Carbon Research Institute’s SOLCER Project, a Welsh University has built the UK’s first smart low-carbon energy-positive house. This house was designed as a prototype to show how low-carbon targets could be achieved using some off-the shelf technologies. Energy positive status of the house means some ways were devised so that there was reduced energy demand, supply of renewable energy and storage of surplus energy for later use. In this house, electricity is also imported from the grid depending on the need and exported back in case of a surplus.

Various techniques were used to make the house energy positive, like use of low carbon cement for the construction, employment of Transpired Solar Collectors (TSC) (to draw air into a cavity through perforated exterior skin of the house and warming it using sun’s rays). To reduce its demand for energy structural insulated panels (SIPS), thermal insulations and low-emissivity double-glazed aluminium-clad timber-frame windows and doors were installed.

The Solcer House, built in 16 weeks generates electricity using a 4.3 kWp glazed photovoltaic panel array integrated into the south-west facing panel of the house and this electricity is then used to power the household appliances, hot water system, ventilation and heating.

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Author:Technology Blog