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ABSTRACT
Because of growing worldwide population, the increase of Co2 emissions and energy costs, the need to create sustainable and efficient buildings is greater than ever. Energy autonomous buildings, which rely on clean ambient sources, can help to create extreme Low-Carbon (LC) buildings. However, resilience-housing and energy design, trigger the radical thinking for Autonomous Buildings (ABs). This ABs idea focused on particular interest for 'independent building and energy autonomy'. This is a zero-carbon building that utilises 100% clean energy. Moreover, the building responsible to maintain internal and external environmental comfort. This paper analyses several examples for ABs developed over the past five decades. For instance, Robert and Branda Vale demonstrated their 'autonomous house' in the 1970s [Vale & Vale, 2000]. Over ten years later, Building Research Established in the UK, built 'Integer House' in 1998, was known as 'Intelligent and Green' building [Wood, 2011]. This ABs assessment aim to provide a comprehensive literature review, to identify the definitions and boundaries of 'autonomous'.
Keywords: Self-sufficient house, Zero carbon building, Off-grid building, Energy efficiency, Energy design.
1.Introduction
This report introduces the concept of energy Autonomous Buildings (ABs), and the focusing on energy autonomy. First, autonomous buildings are defined within the context of a range of increasingly stringent building energy performance standards. Next, the context for autonomous buildings within the wider framework of a changing energy system is established. Key examples of autonomous buildings in the world are highlighted.
The built environment learning the lessons of Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEB) and building design are moving towards low carbon energy |Torcellini, 2006]. These can help accelerate the adoption of technologies into the marketplace and enhance resilience in developed world and improve access to basic energy services in the developing world.
1.1.Energy Use in Buildings
Humans have a basic need for shelter/a place to live, and housing development has been one of the ongoing challenges. Those challenges including energy production, energy distribution and grid connections, costs, geological and environmental impacts, etc. In addition, home standard services such as; heating, cooling, lighting and appliances plus comfort, required energy consumption regardless of building location. This indicates; 'A building can be seen as a stationary energy consumer, irrespective of time and location. In the UK, domestic sector accounts for approximate 29% of final...