Next-gen eco home feeds the grid
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart in Berlin have designed a next-gen, "grid-positive" residence that is completely encased in glass.
From the garden side, one observes two-storeys worth of private living space, while on the street side a large open frame serves as a showcase for the public - providing real-time information about the house and its electric vehicles via a dynamic interactive display system.
All of the materials and systems in the house, including those on display, are designed to facilitate recycling and dis-assembly.
Power in the futuristic residence is generated through a sophisticated use of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems that allow the structure to produce a net annual surplus of energy, even after powering its electric vehicles.
The energy needs of the home itself are reduced by a combination of advanced design factors, including passive solar infrastructure.
This net surplus is subsequently fed into the public electricity grid and contributes renewable energy to the utility system.
The project not only illustrates the feasibility of building future single-family homes that generate a significant surplus of energy, but also demonstrates how future buildings can be designed and built to allow for complete recycling at the end of their life cycle.