SPS worked directly with the architectural team within the NZ5280 team to achieve the optimal roof for the PV array to efficiently generate energy. With the entire roof sloping to the south at 18.4 degrees and the roofing dimension of 1014.5 square feet, the amount of PV panels that were needed to accomplish the energy demands of 8 kW came out to 24 panels. Furthermore, the power system was designed to grid island for at least 12 hours. The inverter will be set up to consume as little grid power as possible while the battery is above 50%. Moreover, upon the utility’s request, the system will be able to discharge the batteries selling to the grid or deplete the batteries beyond 50%.

Ample research into a wide variety of energy usage within residential dwellings was pursued to develop accurate SPS energy modeling. For example, plug loads are often different from demographic to demographic so a specific plug load assumption had to be developed for college students. The energy model was used to provide a basis rational for the energy and design decisions made. The energy model provided detail that the house would consume approximately 7,900 kilowatts of energy per year, not considering electric vehicle charging. Based on the energy modeling, the house will need 8 kW of solar PV to be net zero on an annual basis and provide ample energy to the household loads. To properly heat and cool the house, the energy model determined that a 2-ton heat pump would be necessary for the geothermal energy resource elaborated on in the following sections. Furthermore, the energy model helped the SPS team to determine systems that would not be energy efficient, like the water heating system for the house. The water heating system was redesigned to be more energy efficient and meet energy needs.

The hot water system for the house will draw from two energy sources: a desuperheater from the ground source heat pump (GSHP) and a solar thermal system. The desuperheater utilizes waste heat from the GSHP by reducing the temperature of superheated steam to its saturated, liquid state and depositing it into the hot water tank. This process requires the GSHP to be running, which primarily occurs during winter. The solar thermal system performs as a complimentary energy source due to its higher performance in the summer and spring seasons as compared to the winter. This system operates as a transfer fluid runs through tubes surrounding the solar panels, heating the fluid which then passes through a heat exchanger in the water tank. These combined energy sources allow for effective water heating, year round.

The average American household uses about 300 gallons of water per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection agency. To improve the sustainability of the house, a water reuse system will be implemented to use water to its fullest potential, reducing the house’s water consumption. This house recycles greywater — water coming from specific appliances (showers, bathroom sinks, and washers) that does not come in contact with organic matter. After filtering and decontaminating this water, it will be used again in the house’s toilets and living wall, a lovely bit of greenery for our residents that helps bring the outdoors inside to their comfort.

The goal of the smart system is to maximize accessibility within the house. By connecting major appliances and home systems to an app, the residents can control everything from the surround sound to the dishwasher. The hub application will ensure that appliances primarily run during peak solar time, maximizing the energy output of the house and minimizing the energy sent to the grid. The appliances that will be used in the house are Energy Star certified and will be powered by solar energy. Other systems in this category include the smart electric vehicle (EV) charger and a 16-sensor output monitor, which will measure the energy output of the breaker box. Overall, the smart system connects the whole house together, making the resident feel as connected as possible. By utilizing these various platforms, the house will run safely, efficiently, and comfortably.

The fiber optics of the house are key to ensuring the house is up to the latest standards of internet speed to make sure that the house is not only up to Mines standards, but also such that the house won’t need to be upgraded for years to come. This means that the house will be equipped with fiberoptic internet, allowing for high internet speeds over LAN connections connecting to the Mines network. However, we also know that using Wi-Fi is much more common among students, and as such we will also have a switch, the Arista CCS-710P, which gives the residents access to high speed wireless connections.