Design of An Energy Self-Sustained Building

Marcus Florida

mflorida@mines.edu

Colorado School of Mines undergraduate researchers will design an Energy Self-Sustained Building.   Researchers will create an energy and water use balance for a self-sustained building to minimize the required energy & water consumption. The building will include offices for 20 people, and 20 residential units for 4 people each.   The location will be Dodge City, Kansas. The 10-year average annual weather, solar radiation and moisture data will be assumed, with no major weather instances.   Data from the Optimization of Shallow Geothermal Energy Research Project (same location) may be used. There will be no import of energy or water. Fresh water will be produced from a well assuming the average water table for the location.   The inside temperature of the building will remain at 70° F, year-round 24 hours per day. Costs, schedule, and economics will not be addressed.   <strong>Research Learning Outcomes (RLO's) / Modules:</strong>   RLO / Module 1 – Calculate the energy and water loads for the building using the project description and scope of work, using published averages for the location. Optimizations from other RLO's will be used to minimize the energy and water loads.   Indoor temperatures will be held constant at 70° F. Offices shall be 10’ x 10’. Residences shall be 2000 square feet.   RLO / Module 2 – Create energy and water production & storage options to meet the load capacities determined in RLO1, using only solar, shallow geothermal, and wind. Optimizations from other RLO's will be used to minimize the energy & water production, storage and use requirements. A combination of photovoltaic and solar radiation may be used for heating, cooling and electricity generation and storage. Electricity storage shall consist of graphene super capacitors. Lighting shall be LED.   Geothermal heat pumps and geothermal loops may be used for heating and cooling optimization. The results of the previous shallow geothermal study may be used. The location of the building is the same as the house used for the Optimization of Shallow Geothermal Energy Research Project.   Wind flow may be used for natural ventilation and electricity generation. Use of rainwater for filtered drinking water and for gray water may be used.  Wastewater for use as gray water recycle may be used. RLO / Module 3 – Create the building layout and roof characteristics to minimize energy and water use.   The number of building stories and building dimensions shall be optimized to minimize energy and water loads and source requirements. Roof characteristics shall be optimized for energy and water use. Directional orientation of the building shall be optimized for efficient use of solar and wind. Roof slope shall be optimized for maximum solar power generation.   RLO / Module 4 – Select exterior walls & windows to minimize energy consumption.   Optimization shall consider wall materials, insulation and window size and location that minimize energy consumption. Windows shall be double paned. Window shades may be used to optimize radiation efficiency.   RLO / Module 5 – Create building water use processes to minimize water consumption and contribute to energy use efficiency. Consider use of rainwater for drinking water and graywater. Consider wastewater use for gray water. Calculate electric power requirements of the well pump and geothermal water loop energy transfer in conjunction with RLO 2. Consider black water for use with gardens and lawns. Consider composting. Sewage shall use a septic system. Black and gray water shall not be returned to the aquifer or surface runoff.   RLO / Module 6 – Create a final report summarizing the Modules. The final report shall be presented in MS Word and PDF format. Graphics shall be developed showing the optimized processes for minimum energy usage and minimum water usage.   Technical writing skills will be assessed. An overall summary shall be included. Text descriptions of each module shall be included. Appendices shall include drawings, calculations, tables, and figures. Tables and figures shall also be included in the text with descriptions. A linked TOC shall be included. A cover page shall include the project name, team members, logo, and date. Graphics shall be professional. References shall be in IEEE format and noted in the discussion sections.   A poster will be developed to be presented in the MURF showcase in the spring of 2025. <strong> </strong> <strong>Undergraduate Research Student Requirements:</strong>   Minimum: At least one with an engineering major with a strong interest in renewable & advanced energy systems. The student shall have completed related Mines Core classes and be interested in an Energy Minor or related field and a further degree in Renewable Energy.   Optional: One additional student with the same interests.   <strong>The goals are interesting</strong> because design of energy and water systems for houses and buildings can be completed to eliminate the need for external energy and water systems. The results of this project may be used as a proposed course in the Mines Energy Minor and the future BS Degree in Renewable Energy. This may also have application for the Mines Construction Engineering Degree.   The faculty advisor will provide available information and feedback on progress and results. The researcher(s) will meet bi-weekly with the faculty advisor for sprint reviews and/or formal project presentations, excluding holidays and breaks. Meetings will be in person. Bi-weekly progress will be presented to the faculty advisor in PowerPoint format.   Researchers will work independently as required. Inter-discipline interfaces will be worked together. Project documentation will be stored in MS Teams or Google/One Drive. Informal communication will be handled via email. Technical advisors will be sought to help with difficult technical issues. Technical advisors will be invited to meetings and copied on documentation. Technical advisors will provide feedback on technical issues.   MORE INFORMATION: Results of the 2023-2024 MURF project entitled Optimization of Shallow Geothermal Energy will be provided.  Data from this project will be useful. Research into existing green building projects is expected.

Grand Challenge: Make solar energy economical.

The ongoing MURF project "Optimization of Shallow Geothermal Energy" will provide valuable data for this project. The current project will be completed in April 2024. Numerous websites about solar, geothermal and wind energies as well as water resources will apply. Technical advisors from Mines may provide technical expertise.

Marcus Florida, mflorida@mines.edu