The
U.S National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been working on a
new project that may revolutionize the way we live. On September 13th,
was the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a house that can generate as much energy as
it uses. The house looks like a typical suburban house with two stories, four
bedrooms and three bathrooms. However, no humans currently live inside the
house, in fact, the house is called the Zero Energy Residential Test Facility.
Currently the house is being “controlled” via software by researchers to
simulate human activity. Everyday the lights are turned on and off, hot water
is used and even small devices emit heat and humidity like humans. Researchers
monitor the house 24/7 to make sure that the new design and technology is safe
and ready to be adopted as the new living standards.
A
solar photovoltaic system is incorporated into the house and is the primary
source of energy. On days where the weather is not ideal for the use of solar
energy, the house will draw energy from the local energy grid. Any energy that
the house does not use is then returned to the local energy grid. This cuts the
cost of energy significantly and increases the productivity while making it
sustainable.
I
believe that this is the future of sustainable energy. A house that produces
only as much energy as it uses and then returns the excess energy into the
local energy grid for other houses to use is the most cost-effective, practical
and productive way of living. I believe soon enough these houses will be common
and a huge milestone in sustainable development.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120913162708.htm
Very interesting, and it seems like a great concept! How long do you think it will take for those houses to actually become common?
ReplyDeleteI think its great that they are working on creating houses that don't use up more energy than needed. Also, I think solar power holds a lot of potential as a new source of cleaner energy, especially on a smaller scale, like for powering individual houses or buildings. How much did this house cost to create?
ReplyDeleteIt must be cool to live in this home! A self-sustaining home like this is a diamond-in-the-rough. Just imagine if every home can be like this. That would be historically revolutionary. :)
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Corbin