Hybrid renewable energy system analysis for off-grid great lakes residential housing

Abstract

Renewable energy has become an important area of research and development for both environmental as well as economic reasons. At the academic level, it is possible to introduce students to issues related to renewable energy. This paper discusses the effort two students put in, as part of a thesis, and an independent study, to develop an economically feasible, self-sufficient, renewable energy system for a residential home in the Great Lakes region. The design of the system sought to use both wind and solar energy to supply energy to the home. The students were able to consider effects such as the design and capability of the wind turbine and solar panels to determine whether the design would be viable economically. After deciding that the initial system design would be too expensive, the students then considered other options to reduce the cost of the renewable energy system while still providing the necessary electrical systems that are used in a modern home. This included the development of a survey that was distributed to faculty and staff. The survey was used to determine the critical electrical loads that families in the Great Lakes region would require throughout the year. From this data, the average daily, weekly, and annual power requirements for a 2,000 square foot home was determined. Hybrid energy systems (using wind and solar power only) were then researched and priced to determine feasibility in the Great Lakes region. Alternative and supplementary sources of home and water heating were also explored in an attempt to reduce energy consumption in order to meet the specified cost requirements of the renewable energy project. Successes and challenges of developing a completely self-sufficient (off of the commercial electrical grid) home in the Great Lakes region of North America using renewable energy will be discussed.