Can you imagine a house that uses rainwater to cool its interior? This is just one example of using clean energy in the household. There are many more. As you read this, a development is underway in Phuket, constructing a condominium that will utilize clean technology and renewable energy, but more of that later.

 

Since I started writing in the Gazette, I have received many compliments from friends and readers, but they have also voiced their concerns about the details in which I write, fearing that people might copy my ideas and become potential competitors.

 

I have spent more than half my life promoting environmental projects along with researching them and disclosing the information. This has been always a big source of satisfaction for me, but I’ve never received compensation from those who have copied or taken the cue from my information and research –I wouldn’t actually want it.  What I have received from them are new ideas and new challenges.

So, my readers and friends, do not worry. My articles are purposely written to disclose useful information and give new ideas to everyone.

 

Up until now, “Going Green” has presented various practical clean  technologies: GeoExchange, wind turbine vertical ax and solar photovoltaic panels.In addition to that, I have described how to obtain financing through “revolving funds” what carbon credits are and what other privileges are offered in Thai law by following the direction of the Kyoto Protocol.

 

But as with anything in life, it’s easy to talk the talk, but not many people can walk the walk.I strongly believe in everything I write about, so I decided to put my words into practice and have started to build a condominium called ReCondo (Renewable Energy Condominium) as a practical example. The specs for project are shown in the diagram above.

 

I figured this would help people understand all the fundamental aspects and ideas involved, but more importantly, I believe this is the only way to show all the technologies applied, or those that can be applied in similar construction projects, from houses to industrial buildings.

The condominium will be completed in a less than a year but the site can be visited now. It will be implemented with two main renewable technologies: GeoExchange and wind turbine vertical ax.

 

Only turbines can produce an income of more than 2.5 million baht per year, regardless of occupancy.

A similar figure can be achieved by GeoExchange in terms of carbon credit. The complete thermal load of the building is 785,000 BTU and it will be air-conditioned with the help of rainwater stored in the basement and one special geothermal pump located on each of the five floors.

 

The turbines provide the energy to recirculate the water, avoid blackouts, provide the electrical energy for the areas of common property such as lift, the swimming pool, and the waterfall which will also function as a cooling tower. The excess energy will be sold to the public grid at the designated price established by the Ministry of Energy in the tariff-in (5.5 baht per kWh).

 

The diagram shows a series of yellow dots, which represent sources of possible clean energy. Other than GeoExchange and wind, the building can be equipped with building- integrated photovoltaic (BIVP), a special kind of solar panel with two functions-as solar panels and as a roof. Organic gas production can be achieved with an anaerobic digester. This requires a modified septic tank which can then clean the water for public use, produce gas for domestic use or additional electricity.

 

This system, very popular in other countries, would be advisable in Thailand – especially Phuket where there is no sewerage net and subsequent sludge treatment.

 

The diagram also mentions another possible source of energy-the drainage.It has been noted that the temperature inside the drainage never exceeds 20ºC, which is perfect for air-to-air cooling within rooms, something very common in India among poor establishments.

 

Two view points will be located on the roof for visitors who want to take pictures and see how the turbines work. They can also visit the control room to see how they are connected to the battery and the converters.A regular computer will be used to control the building. This will feature Software which shows all the data coming from various sensors located in all the building.It calculates the energy consumed by the occupants of the building, the energy produced by turbines, the amount of carbon dioxide that would normally be released into the atmosphere and various other calculations.

 

The data will also be used to improve other developments of its kind in Phuket and will be given to the local energy office in Phuket for future development, while a simulation program will be given to local schools for promotional use among youngsters. Students, developers and anyone who is simply curious is welcome to visit the site and take advantage of the new ideas.

 

It is time to understand that going green is not so difficult to achieve, instead it’s just a question of will, ideas and a little effort and financial resources.

 

I’m an engineer, not a developer and I have spent almost half of my life in the environment field.

My job is to implement new technologies to third parties, but I willingly promote renewable and clean energies.

 

 

By Dr. Salvatore Consentino

 

Source: Phuket property November 7-13, 2009 Phuket gazette