Design and Analysis: Sustainable Energy for Studio Flat - Report

This report details a design specification for a sustainable energy system for a studio flat, focusing on solving existing energy problems and achieving sustainability. The report begins with an introduction to sustainability and its importance in the current century, highlighting the need for environmental preservation. It then defines the project, outlining current energy problems such as fossil fuels, hydropower, and the limitations of other renewable sources. Possible solutions, including solar, wind, and combined systems, are presented, with the chosen solution being a combination of solar and wind power with battery backup. The project specification details the components, including wind turbines, solar thermal heaters, photovoltaic systems, batteries, and a converter. A feasibility analysis using HOMER Pro software is provided, comparing the costs of the proposed design with grid power. The report concludes with the legal and ethical considerations, including adherence to electrical codes and obtaining necessary permits. The report emphasizes the feasibility and benefits of the proposed sustainable energy design for the studio flat.

The design of energy sustainability for studio flat
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Abstract
The report presents a design specification for a sustainable energy for a studio flat. The design
will be based on solving existing energy problems, and also achieving a sustainable energy
Introduction
sustainability has been utilized for a long time to portray the need to perform out daily
human activities while minding the environment, or forcing non-hurtful outcomes as prompted
by human exercises. Supportability has additionally been disclosed by Brundtland commission as
fulfilling the present generation needs without renouncing or rendering the future ages
powerlessness to fulfill their necessities from accessible assets. The main reason behind
sustainability is to preserve the environment, this however should not be misused from the
common human attributes.
Sustainability in the current century is an important practice. The government and the general
public should team up for the better future of the coming generations based on Technology
strategy board (Hossain, Saha, Mithulananthan, and Pota 2012).
Project definition
This section defines the structure of the expected design. The design will be based on
energy problems experienced in the current technology, and also considering the main theme of
the project, that’s is sustainability.

Current energy problems
1. Fossil fuels – this energy sources are cheap, but have more negative impacts to the
society, they are the main sources of environment pollution, both in use and during its
mining.
2. Hydro power – efficient source. The water used in energy production is kept in dams.
Dams have a more serious and dramatic impact to the nature. The dams could collapse if
not well managed. This energy production is limited to some specific areas that have
dams or waterfalls.
3. Wind energy is expensive
4. Solar energy is expensive, it should be consumed as it is produced
5. Biological fuels, commonly known as biofuels are more expensive, not suitable for use in
a flat.
6. HyMeAir is the current invention, it utilizes the hydrogen and methane gases in the
atmosphere. This energy cannot be implemented in a flat because of its feasibility.
Possible solutions to sustainable energy in the studio flat
To solve the above problems, the following are the proposed possible solutions to attaining
sustainable energy in the studio flat.
a. Use of solar power and backup system,
b. Use of wind power and with backup system
c. Combined solar and wind power system, with batteries as the backup system

The three projects above are viable to solving the above projects. Decision has to be made on
which is the best project from the three solutions provided above. The choice of the best
project to be undertaken has been discussed in the project specification below.
Project specification
The project specification defines the structure of the chosen possible solution. The design
will be based on energy problems experienced in the current technology, and also considering
the main theme of the project, that’s is sustainability.
Solution three provided in the possible solution above will be chosen for this case.
Reasons for the choice have been listed below.
1. Solar provides clean and efficient energy, good design and installation
2. Wind turbines will be installed in the studio flats compound, this will supplement the
solar power
3. Solar and wind power requires no frequent maintenance and monitoring unlike the
hydropower. Hydropower is transmitted in large voltages; more work is done in stepping
down and maintaining supply.
System model specification
The project model will be designed using homer pro. The design model is shown below
(Budes, Ochoa and Escorcia 2017).

Figure 1 proposed energy model specification for the studio model- screenshot from homer pro
design software
The project components and their specification have been discussed below.

Wind turbines
Wind energy will be used to provide mechanical energy needed by the turbine.
5kw wind turbine will be used to supplement solar power.
Solar thermal heater
Uses heat from the sun to heat water for bathing and other uses
Photovoltaic systems
72 cells photovoltaic system rated 24VDC will be used. Two panels will be used for the studio
flat (Syafaruddin, Latief and Piarah 2017).
Backup systems
Battery will be used to store charge from both the turbine and solar systems. This battery is
sufficient for storing charge as advised by Associates (2010) in their journal.

Figure 2 homer screenshot showing battery specification
Convertor
The studio flat appliances use alternating current. A convertor will be used to convert 24VDC
from the batteries to 240VAC current for appliances and lighting use.
Supplementary sources
Grid system will be connected, to be used only in cases of solar and turbine failure

Project Feasibility analysis
The joy of every planner is to see the possibility of implementing the project.
The financial optimization of this project was analyzed using the homer pro software.
From the simulation results below, the expected overall costs of using grid power is $3014. This
means that the consumer will have to pay the amount for the time based on the design lifetime.
Figure 3 feasibility analysis for the project in comparison with using national Grid, (celik 2012)

Feasibility analysis will involve comparing the grid power expenses with that of our design.
Now, let’s calculate the total cost expenses for our design, considering that the solar and turbine lifespan
is 40 years.
Project lifetime is 40 years
Initial installation costs are as follows
Component Quantity costs
3w photovoltaic panel 4 $200
24VDC Batteries 4 $400
DC/AC Convertor 1 $100
Power regulator 1 $100
Installation costs $150
Total $1350
Now compare the results from the simulation
Using grid requires an average of $3014, as seen from results.
Using the design model will require only $1350, now which is better?
The choice will be to install the proposed model designed above, the project is therefor feasible.
Excess power could be sold, if the regulation allows.
Legal rules to be followed in the project
The following are the legal procedures that will be observed in the project implementation
 Electrical code for all electrical components installed will be adhered to
 The project is to be installed in studio flats approved by the housing corporation

Possible effects of legislation and ethics in coming up with project plan
The legal procedures mentioned in the section above must be followed for the success of the
project. Failure to do so, the government or concerned bodies will have a right to stop the project
from being implemented. Consequently, concerned personnel will be charged in the court of law
for violating the rules such as the ones stated below.
 Using none certified electrical technicians
 Undertaking project with no permit

Reference list
Associates, H.,( 2010). An assessment of battery systems suitable for use in photovoltaic
systems. Journal of Power Sources, 5(4), p.339.
Budes, F., Ochoa, G. and Escorcia, Y. (2017). An economic evaluation of renewable and
conventional electricity generation systems in a shopping center using HOMER
Pro. Contemporary Engineering Sciences, pp.1287-1295.
Celik, A.N., (2012). Optimisation and techno-economic analysis of autonomous photovoltaic–
wind hybrid energy systems in comparison to single photovoltaic and wind systems. Energy
Conversion and Management, 43(18), pp.2453-2468.
Hossain, M.J., Saha, T.K., Mithulananthan, N. and Pota, H.R., (2012). Robust control strategy
for PV system integration in distribution systems. Applied Energy, 99, pp.355-362.
Syafaruddin, S., Latief, S. and Piarah, W. (2017). Design of Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV/T) for
Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems. Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, 5(4), pp.304-
309.