Integrated Renewable Energy in New Housing - yay or nay?

SkyscraperSuperman · November 14th, 2009, 02:17 PM

This year, I am doing the first Scottish Science Baccalaureate as an extra qualification with which to apply to University.
My project looks at the possibility of all new homes becoming totally zero-carbon by installing solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems etc. on each and every new house, or otherwise installing enough local renewable sources to power every house in the area. The Government wishes for homes to have a carbon dioxide net emission of zero by 2016, but that does not mean the homes won't release any - it just means that they want houses to be efficient and for the CO2 released to be absorbed by trees etc. to make the ultimate emission zero.
What my project is looking at is whether the government could take this further, and introduce a policy whereby all new houses must be fitted with renewable energy sources, so that absolutely no carbon dioxide is produced.
For this project, I require feedback from the general public, with their opinion on the idea, and I thought you guys on here might be able to be of some help. Please say either 'yes' or 'no' on the poll, and as much feedback as possible would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

RobH · November 14th, 2009, 02:26 PM

Whether people believe in manmade global warming or not, weening ourselves off of foreign oil and gas resources is as good a reason as any to move to renewables.

I don't know whether very localised energy production, or larger scale renewable sources are the way forward though as I'm no expert in these things. So I've abstained from the poll.

DaiB · November 14th, 2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobH

I don't know whether very localised energy production, or larger scale renewable sources are the way forward though as I'm no expert in these things. So I've abstained from the poll.

I would say a combination of both is the way ahead.

In principle it looks like a no-brainer. However the government would have to put some cash behind it and support developers, rather than simply legislating that housebuilders have to include these things which would just lead to homebuyers being hit in the pocket. And we can do without more of that...

Tony Sebo · November 14th, 2009, 06:01 PM

as long as they are fully effective in doing their job.. for normal people!

NorthLimitation · November 14th, 2009, 06:09 PM

Peut-etre. Don't really need it up here because of the renewable energy from wind etc, but if it can be designed to a high quality then I'd support integration.

belfastuniguy · November 14th, 2009, 06:11 PM

I do agree.

All new social housing in NI has integrated renewable energy, primarily in solar panels though some new developments with higher density also have sedum roofs/roof gardens and wind turbines. Almost all have some form of rainwater collection. This is becoming more common with private apartment and commercial developments as well.

I would like to see great use of such technology, the solar panels used here look no different to the slate tiles so it's not as if you'll have some monstrosity on your roof.

TallBox · November 14th, 2009, 06:23 PM

deleted.

SkyscraperSuperman · November 14th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Thanks for the feedback so far, particularly TallBox for your incredibly detailed essay there.

The repiles so far have together given me both sides of the argument which is what I need.
That's interesting to know, belfastuniguy, I can use that as an example of housing that already has integrated renewable energy sources, another thing that will look good in my project, so thanks for that.

mic of Orion · November 14th, 2009, 08:21 PM

By all means, YES YES YES !!!

ROYAL BLUE · November 14th, 2009, 08:31 PM

This is something ive been saying for years!

The cost of solar panels can easily be swallowed into construction cost's of new homes. Spain, for example, has NO EXCUSE imo. The sheer amount of intence, direct sunlight, which is litereally all day every day from May - September is phenomenal.

But even here in the UK, it would ease the amounts of energy consumed from the grid. Bringing down bills. Which is a fantastic selling point!

PresidentBjork · November 14th, 2009, 09:40 PM

http://www.withouthotair.com/download.html

This free e-book on renewables provides a lot of good info and figures.

good luck with the baca...bacca...bachy...... science thing

wiggleyleeds · November 14th, 2009, 10:03 PM

id happily pay 25 or 30k more for a house that relied 60% less on paid for gas and leccy

ill tonkso · November 15th, 2009, 01:29 AM

YES. Seriously YES. Not just for the costs but for the environmental benefits!

Also, lucky sevens there Wiggles, 7,777th post.

SkyscraperSuperman · November 15th, 2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PresidentBjork

http://www.withouthotair.com/download.html

This free e-book on renewables provides a lot of good info and figures.

good luck with the baca...bacca...bachy...... science thing

Baccalaureate.

And thanks (for the link and the 'good luck'.)

View Poll Results: Are you supportive of new houses being fitted with renewable energy sources?
Yes	25	96.15%
No	1	3.85%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

November 14th, 2009, 02:17 PM	#1
SkyscraperSuperman Heeeey...how you doooin'? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland Posts: 728	Integrated Renewable Energy in New Housing - yay or nay? This year, I am doing the first Scottish Science Baccalaureate as an extra qualification with which to apply to University. My project looks at the possibility of all new homes becoming totally zero-carbon by installing solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems etc. on each and every new house, or otherwise installing enough local renewable sources to power every house in the area. The Government wishes for homes to have a carbon dioxide net emission of zero by 2016, but that does not mean the homes won't release any - it just means that they want houses to be efficient and for the CO2 released to be absorbed by trees etc. to make the ultimate emission zero. What my project is looking at is whether the government could take this further, and introduce a policy whereby all new houses must be fitted with renewable energy sources, so that absolutely no carbon dioxide is produced. For this project, I require feedback from the general public, with their opinion on the idea, and I thought you guys on here might be able to be of some help. Please say either 'yes' or 'no' on the poll, and as much feedback as possible would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. __________________ "Baldrick, your brain is like the four-headed man-eating haddock-fish-beast of Aberdeen." "In what way?" "It doesn't exist." Supporter of high-rise projects in London, proud to be British.

November 14th, 2009, 06:23 PM	#7
TallBox Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,211	deleted. Last edited by TallBox; November 18th, 2009 at 12:57 PM.

November 14th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#8
SkyscraperSuperman Heeeey...how you doooin'? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland Posts: 728	Thanks for the feedback so far, particularly TallBox for your incredibly detailed essay there. The repiles so far have together given me both sides of the argument which is what I need. That's interesting to know, belfastuniguy, I can use that as an example of housing that already has integrated renewable energy sources, another thing that will look good in my project, so thanks for that. __________________ "Baldrick, your brain is like the four-headed man-eating haddock-fish-beast of Aberdeen." "In what way?" "It doesn't exist." Supporter of high-rise projects in London, proud to be British.

November 14th, 2009, 08:21 PM	#9
mic of Orion I come in peace \V/ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London Posts: 7,250	By all means, YES YES YES !!! __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke "Power to the people" Mic of Orion

November 14th, 2009, 02:26 PM	#2
RobH Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London / Kent Posts: 3,336	Whether people believe in manmade global warming or not, weening ourselves off of foreign oil and gas resources is as good a reason as any to move to renewables. I don't know whether very localised energy production, or larger scale renewable sources are the way forward though as I'm no expert in these things. So I've abstained from the poll.

November 14th, 2009, 06:01 PM	#4
Tony Sebo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Liverpool Posts: 17,755	as long as they are fully effective in doing their job.. for normal people!

November 14th, 2009, 06:09 PM	#5
NorthLimitation Ag òl agus ag obair. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Inverness and Glasgow Posts: 2,157	Peut-etre. Don't really need it up here because of the renewable energy from wind etc, but if it can be designed to a high quality then I'd support integration.

November 14th, 2009, 06:11 PM	#6
belfastuniguy ↓↓ Fabulously bankrupt ↓↓ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,735	I do agree. All new social housing in NI has integrated renewable energy, primarily in solar panels though some new developments with higher density also have sedum roofs/roof gardens and wind turbines. Almost all have some form of rainwater collection. This is becoming more common with private apartment and commercial developments as well. I would like to see great use of such technology, the solar panels used here look no different to the slate tiles so it's not as if you'll have some monstrosity on your roof.

November 14th, 2009, 08:31 PM	#10
ROYAL BLUE More Bounce To The Ounce Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 2,438	This is something ive been saying for years! The cost of solar panels can easily be swallowed into construction cost's of new homes. Spain, for example, has NO EXCUSE imo. The sheer amount of intence, direct sunlight, which is litereally all day every day from May - September is phenomenal. But even here in the UK, it would ease the amounts of energy consumed from the grid. Bringing down bills. Which is a fantastic selling point!

November 14th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#11
PresidentBjork Kwatz! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,753	http://www.withouthotair.com/download.html This free e-book on renewables provides a lot of good info and figures. good luck with the baca...bacca...bachy...... science thing

November 14th, 2009, 10:03 PM	#12
wiggleyleeds wiggledypiggleypuddinghed Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 8,660	id happily pay 25 or 30k more for a house that relied 60% less on paid for gas and leccy

November 15th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#13
ill tonkso Portsmouths Finest, Maybe Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 3,986	YES. Seriously YES. Not just for the costs but for the environmental benefits! Also, lucky sevens there Wiggles, 7,777th post. __________________ Official Skyscrapercity 'Support the Shard at London Bridge' Facebook Group! Take a tour of Portsmouth, around the island photothread. http://mypsn.eu.playstation.com/psn/...Ill_tonkso.png

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