Energy Independence for Multi-Family Housing Units
Team
Name: Larinda Peterson
Nationality: United States
Institution / Company: Ashenridge
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/larinda-peterson-9387b826
-FINALIST of Powerless City Competition
The introduction of vertical solar to multi-family housing, along with battery backup and increased insulating measures, creates an opportunity for individual tenants to become self-sufficient to their energy needs. The compact nature of this housing type offers limited rooftop solar space to fulfil the energy needs of the increased number of occupants. This has frequently been a roadblock for disconnecting these buildings from the Grid. In this concept though, each unit has its own independent energy system via a mixture of vertical bi-facial panels forming the balcony, and vertical solar panels or solar masonry blocks constructing the exterior. Each unit also has its own supporting inverter and home battery system. This creates an independent structure, where if one system is down for maintenance, the others are not affected, and leaves space on the roof to utilize insulating greenroofs and additional solar to power general shared building amenities. The sleek solar materials are balanced with rich sections of green trellised climbing walls that add another pocket of insulation against the exterior walls, as well as the benefit of nature habitats and pleasant aesthetics. Additionally, EV chargers, solar sidewalks and in some cases wind power, can also be added for increased efficiency.
#Solar Power, #Batteries and energy storage, #Energy saving behaviours & Responsible Consumption, #Visual Impacts of energy infrastructure, #Integrated energy production systems
