Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (HYBR.OB) is best known for its lithium battery powered vehicles. The company is not only focusing on developing and manufacturing 100-percent battery powered modes of transportation, but is also taking strides to implement its knowledge to create the world’s first truly hybrid home.
The Hybrid Living Home is located in Alberta, Canada, and combines the latest in alternative and renewable energy features. The Hybrid Living Home is not a simple prototype, but one that exemplifies luxury living. The French Country style home consists of six bedrooms, a nanny suite, seven bathrooms, a media room, a wine cellar, and a family/recreation area spread over 6,000 square feet of living space on three levels. To provide sufficient power to the home, a number of alternative energy systems have been incorporated into the Hybrid Living Home’s design.
A solar electric system will harness the sun’s rays to be directly converted into electricity. This reliable and maintenance-free source of power will use traditional roof solar panels and Power-Spar, which is a revolutionary technology that can provide electricity and thermal storage for use in heating.
A geothermal system will be used for the home’s climate control, since ground or groundwater temperature several feet under the Earth’s surface is constant year-round. Geothermal pipes buried underground will absorb the earth’s heat during the winter and carry it into the home. During the summer months, the system will absorb the home’s heat and deposit it into the cooler ground.
Wind turbines will capture the kinetic energy of the winds and convert it to electricity. The Hybrid Living Home will have a roof-mounted turbine, as well as a 150 kW remote turbine, which will provide electricity. In the event that excess energy is created, the excess power will be diverted to the local utility company for use by other consumers.
Lithium I-Cell batteries, which produce about twice the voltage of an average battery, will be used to store the power generated. The lithium cells not only produce more voltage, but also last twice as long as traditional batteries.
The design of the house was as thoroughly thought out as the power elements in the home. The orientation of the home allows it to maximize its ability to capture solar and wind energy. Low flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads, in conjunction with the rainwater harvesting system, allows for lower water usage. The use of low power, high- efficiency appliances and low-voltage, European lighting fixtures will assist in keeping daily power consumption down as well.
The Hybrid Living Home team also utilized more health conscious materials to finish the home. Natural fiber carpet were tacked into place rather than glued into place. Formaldehyde free insulation, low-VOC paints, and water based adhesives minimized “off-gassing”. A waterfall provides a natural humidifying effect, while a high-efficiency air system with UV and ionic filtration keeps the interior dust and allergen free.
Once the home is completed, Hybrid Technologies will open the Hybrid Living Home for public viewing for about a year. During that time, it will analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of all the systems for the possibility of future Hybrid Living Subdivisions.
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