The Zero Carbon House Project

As we move towards a potential fuel crisis, with rising gas, petrol and electricity prices, the world needs to do all it can to take advantage of renewable energy sources. Many people have doubted, however, whether such an approach could realistically be applied to a domestic premises. A house on Unst, Britain’s northernmost island, may now quell those doubts. In 2001, Michael and Dorothy Rea, a retired couple from Wiltshire, England, decided to design and build a house which would be completely self-sufficient: an ‘off the grid’ house which would eschew the need to consume gas and electricity and instead produce its own energy.

With the help of Dr. Jeff Kenna, Chief Executive of Energy for Sustainable Development, and a host of generous sponsors, the Rea’s vision of a carbon neutral house is coming to fruition.

Utilising solar panels and wind turbines, the house, known as Batavia, is capable of producing its own energy which is then stored in fuel cells and used around the house. These cells also charge the Rea’s electric car, a refitted Toyota Yaris, which can travel almost 200 miles on a single charge and reach speeds of over 45mph without using fossil fuels.

A 94 square metre hydroponic greenhouse will provide the food to satisfy the Rea’s vegetarian diet, with low energy LEDs (which also provide light throughout the house) ensuring an extended growth period. No soil or peat is required. Instead, five crops a year are maintained by minerals and rainwater harvested from the roof. The electric car allows this food crop to be distributed without the need for fossil fuels.

It is worth noting that none of this technology is particularly novel: wind turbines, solar panels, the air-to-water heat pump and the house materials have all been standard fare on the market for some time. What is novel, however, is the amalgamation of these technologies into a single, carbon neutral, house. The feat is particularly impressive considering Unst’s harsh climate where winds reaching 100mph have previously claimed lives. It is undoubtedly a testament to the relative ease of building a self-sufficient, environmentally friendly house and will hopefully stand as an example to promote carbon neutral, off-grid housing. As Dorothy Rea put it, “if we can do this here, anyone can do it anywhere.”

You can find more information about the Zero Carbon House Project at http://www.zerocarbonhouse.com.

Author Oscar Nobi

Posted By KEVIN HUTCHEON

5

Posted on

http://www.ecohouseagent.com/i am interested in how you planned thee whole thing.In a few years our kids will be 18-20 and we would then like to build an off grid house in scotland.Currently in Aberdeen and have never done anything like this before so quite daunting.Where to buy a plot,what technologies to use,costs,who to use,architects,time spans.The hydroponic growing looks interesting as well.Any help or pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.My e mail is KVN_HUTCHEON@YAHOO.CO.UK Regards kevin Hutcheon

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Posted By jill halpin

5

Posted on

Am looking to purchase a zero/low carbon house in Unst or other wildlife area of Shetland that is not too isolated as I am an active 70 year old particularly keen to develop my painting and wildlife photography. I would prefer an already existing property as have just completed a renovation of present cottage and do not want to start again!! Also would want digital and broadband access. I admire your project very much. Can you help please!? Yours, Jill Halpin Stonerunner Cottage, Rye Harbour, Rye, East Sussex, TN 31 7TT- 01797224351-jill.halpin@gmail.com

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