I for one would be interested in any experience with off-grid systems (so yes, please send links). In general, energy supply is not as robust as one might think. A very cold, windless winter in Europe, combined with dismantling nuclear and unreliable supplies of fossil fuel, could be a challenge and maybe a lesson much needed. But with emergence of new solutions, some very cool alternatives are available for any on or off grid construction.

My primary interest now, however, is a small cabin > 5km from grid and no motorised access. It works well already with wood, candles and water from a stream (if not exactly family friendly). But development in LED, battery technology, photovoltaic, sun thermal collectors, etc. over the last couple of years means modern comforts can be made available off-grid. E.g:

• Small photovoltaic system, 50w panel, 100 Ah battery capacity.
  (for 8 LED lamps + radio + charging mobile/gps)
• Small power generator for topping battery and use of tools/water pump.
• Additional self contained solar lamps for exterior lights.
• Solar thermal collector (air) to raise base indoor temperature, improve ventilation and reduce humidity/condensation.
• Hot water coil in wood-burner to provide for long, hot showers.
• Cooking on gas (minimal consumption) will be kept.

The modest capacity is just a result of every component having to be carried several km in steep and rugged terrain. I have abandoned a few ideas that could be good elsewhere:

• Wind turbines (too noisy, relatively low output, too many moving parts and bad for bats/birds).
• Pico hydro systems (stream too far away, components too heavy, too much maintenance, frost proofing).
• Water tank heating from solar collector in combination with wood stoves even if there are some very good maritime and residential solutions available (too complicated, requires frost proofing, constant electricity for pumps).
• Roof water collection (requires frost proof tank, filtering system and a new roof...).
• A mobile phone (gsm) controlled gas/paraffin stove to pre-heat the cabin before arrival (feel uneasy about starting an oven without knowing whether a bird has snuck in the chimney and built a nest on top of the stove, and I dislike carrying gas/paraffin).
• Heat pump, also for refrigeration (too complicated/heavy and using snow or cold stream water is usually sufficient).

The main challenge is actually sewerage/septic. Solutions exist, but I would prefer a flushing toilet (e.g. marine style), but environmental requirements makes it almost impossible to create a legal, composting septic system. Even so, the bottom line is that, yes, it is possible to create a comfortable living environment with pretty simple technologies.

So, any experience with this, please share. I may be biased, but I think these topics are relevant in this forum; the changes in the way we use energy and how it is supplied, also has a high impact on how we design our living space. And what better tool to start sketching than SH3D. There are threads touching upon such issues, but dedicated threads (probably in SH3D forum Bar) would be welcome (for me, anyway).

ok


SH3D used for planning