On and On towards Sustainability

Self sufficiency is no longer the dream of hippies taking over abandoned farms on Ibiza, but a scientific reality, as demonstrated by engineers at Valencia’s Polytechnic University.

The University has presented a prototype of a solar energy powered house, tailor-made to the requirements of the occupants with recyclable components using local materials. The modular nature of the house allows for flexibility of design, starting from a minimum size of 42 square metres.

The house incorporates low energy consumption devices and an efficient management of water and waste, and it is hoped that it will not only reduce energy consumption, but actually create a surplus of energy.

The house, called On & On House should not be confused with discothèque music of the same name and, unlike Ibizan DJs who rarely see the sun, it will be presented at the prestigious European Solar Decathlon competition in summer 2010 in Madrid, for which it has been selected along with 19 other Universities from USA, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

The event is in fact sponsored by the US Department of Energy and is being celebrated in Europe for the first time, in conjunction with Madrid Polytechnic University and the Spanish Ministry of Housing.

Ignacio Guillén is the co-ordinator of a team of forty teachers and students called Solar Team UPV, who are responsible for the project.

The aims and objectives of the Solar Team UPV are to enhance student awareness towards renewable energy and energy efficiency through a new training tool integrated into the curriculum. It also intends to promote the specialization of those involved in these fields as well as promoting a greater awareness in society as a whole as regards these issues, through the popularization of science as part of the project.
Furthermore the project is intended to encourage multidisciplinary knowledge and cross fertilisation between areas of knowledge, based on a dynamic team that will encourage the integration of knowledge and participation and development of future research projects.

Finally the project leaders hope to promote the scientific and technological development of the socio-economic background of the University through agreements to promote technology transfers between the UPV and Industry.