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ACAT News .....  "Awareness, Education, Demonstration" 

In this issue... 

● ACAT’s Board of Directors
● Path to Net Zero Energy
● ACAT.org new features
● 2012 Workshops
● Affiliate organizations
● Guide to Solar Decathlon 
 

ACAT.org New Features

● Upcoming workshops with online registration
● Order workshop DVDs by mail or self download
● Workshop power point presentation
● Membership renewal online 

 Renew ACAT dues here 
 $25 individual
$50 family
$100 business or organization

 

 

Path to Net Zero Energy Series on DVD

Purchase a DVD
$25 for DVD by mail
$20 for DVD download  

● Advanced Lighting Design
● Canadian EQuilibrium NZE Homes
● Green Building Codes for a Small Planet
● Alaska’s First NZE Homes
● Lessons from Off-grid Homes
● lumen HAUS Solar Decathlon Winner
● LED Transformations   

The DVD series includes excellent resources. 
Contact ACAT if you are interested in sponsoring a video.
 The series is also available for viewing through:

 AHFCEnergy Information Center      800-478-INFO
 
  • GCI Cable on Demand -  Choose Alaska On Demand, Alaska Energy Workshops 
  •  

     

    Alaska Affiliated Organizations
    helping to achieve
    the Net Zero Energy Goal


    REAP (Renewable Energy Alaska Project)  
    Jan 11 REAP Forum: Anchorage Landfill Methane Project.
    6-8pm, Anchorage Museum auditorium 
    MORE INFO: www.REalaska.org, or 907.929.7770 

    Cascadia Green Building Council (CGBC)  
    The 2012 Alaska Forum on the Environment
    Cascadia CEO Jason McLennan is the keynote speaker, Monday, Feb. 6. 
    Cascadia will present a green building track (4 sessions) titled “Green Building – The Government’s Role” on Tuesday Feb. 7. 
    Conference agenda at www.akforum.org 

    Alaska Craftsman Home Program (ACHP) 
    Energy efficiency education.  All ACHP workshops, publications, and projects are designed specifically for Northern regions. 

    Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC)

    Promoting and advancing the development of healthy, durable, and sustainable shelter for Alaskans and other circumpolar people.  CCHRC tests and evaluates building techniques and equipment for Northern regions.



       CCHRC   

     

     

     

    THANK YOU
     

    ACAT members and workshop attendees for your continued support. 
    You are the reason ACAT can continue quality programs like the Path to Net Zero Energy Series!  

    The Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology (ACAT) is operated by volunteer members.  The ACAT Board of Directors are:
     (Click here for brief background and contact information) 

    • Triena Slatter, President (Anchorage)
    • Jason Collins, Vice President (Palmer)
    • Mark Masteller, Secretary (Palmer)
    • Harvey Bowers, Treasurer (Wasilla)
    • Roger Rowell (Madison, WI)
    • Gene Backus (Wasilla)
    • Stephanie Nowers (Palmer)
    • Richard Debusman (Copperopolis, CA)

    The ACAT Board recently met by video conference to review the ACAT mission, goals and objectives.  The Board reconfirmed ACAT's mission to
    promote research and education for Alaskans in sustainable economic development
    Three general goals were identified..
    ...awareness, education, demonstration.  
    For the remaining fiscal year, ACAT's main objective is to host five workshops related to the Path to Net Zero Energy Series (January – May 2012).   ACAT is also affiliating with other organizations that share the Net Zero Energy Building Goal in Alaska, the lower 48 and Internationally.

     


     

    DON’T MISS THE UPCOMING PATH TO NET ZERO ENERGY WORKSHOPS
    Imagine not paying your electric bill this month…….
    Imagine not having an energy bill……
     

     

    The Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology is proud to continue the workshop series,

    "Path to Net Zero Energy"

    A Net Zero Energy (NZE) building is able to generate as much energy as it consumes.  It employs energy efficient building technology along with renewable energy sources. Affordable Net Zero Energy buildings exist in Alaska. Both on-grid and off-grid homes can be NZE.  Off-grid homes store excess energy in batteries; while on-grid homes use Net Metering to sell excess power to the electric grid.  Both use thermal mass storage to radiate heat in the winter. NZE buildings provide individual energy security by protecting Alaskans from escalating energy costs and outages. Homeowners obtain peace of mind and feel satisfaction in creating a healthier, more sustainable world.  On the Path to Net Zero Energy you will find aggressive energy efficiency practices coupled with on-site energy generation. Mother nature freely supplies wind, sun, geothermal, and biomass. It is harnessed with existing appropriate technology.  This workshop series will show you how. Consult the ACAT web site periodically for updates.  
     


    Solar Thermal Design & Installation Review

    January 14, 2012
    1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    Agate Inn, Wasilla
    $20 fee; ACAT Members free


    Harvey Bowers
    ACAT Project Leader, Path to Net Zero Energy Series

    Review design options for solar thermal domestic hot water and heating systems
    Discuss your plans for equipment, siting, controls and storage options

    REGISTER HERE



    Alaska’s First Net Zero Energy Homes Update

    March 16, 2012
    2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    BP Energy Center, Anchorage
    $20 fee; ACAT Members free

    March 16, 2012
    7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
    Agate Inn, Wasilla

    $20 fee; ACAT Members free
     
    Thorsten Chlupp
    Reina, LLC


    Listen to an update on the homes Thorsten has built in Fairbanks heating with Solar thermal.

    REGISTER HERE



     
      

    U.S. and Canadian Affiliated Organizations

    helping to achieve the Net Zero Energy Goal
     

    Net Zero Energy Home Coalition  
    Weekly news, research and resources in U.S and Canadian for NZE building 

     American Solar Energy Society (ASES)  
    National sponsor of the solar tour.  Publishes a first rate monthly magazine, SOLAR TODAY. The Nov/Dec issue  has a good article on making Net-Zero affordable, see page 40   

    California Straw Building Association (CASBA)
    Originally involved with straw bale building, now noted for work on getting alternative building systems documented and building code approved.  Annual convention.  Currently designing a straw bale cold cellar workshop.


     
    Alaska Permaculture Design Courses:
     
    Red Edge Design Permaculture Design Course
    April 23rd - May 5th, 2012
    Anchorage  
    Members of ACAT receive a discounted registration! 
    For more information on this course and to register, please go to:  http://akpermaculture.wordpress.com  or call Red Edge Design at 907.563.1119
     
    Homer Permaculture Design Course
    July 29 - August 12, 2012
    Ageya Wilderness Camp
    Email for information events@akpermaculture.ning.com 



     

    Eco-Sense Home
    Video Conference  

    February 18, 2012
    6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
    Agate Inn, Wasilla
    $20 fee; ACAT Members free


    Ann and Gord Baird

    http://www.islandnet.com/~anngord/

    Eco-Sense is North America's FIRST code-approved seismically engineered load bearing insulated cob house featuring: solar PV and wind power, grid intertie, solar thermal heating, rainwater harvesting from a living roof, composting toilet, grey water re-use, and passive solar design.  This is the first home to meet several of the “petals” of the rigorous Living Building Challenge green building standard.

    REGISTER HERE


    Passiv Haus and Super – Insulated Window Detailing

    April 20, 2012
    1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Site pending, Anchorage
    $50 fee; ACAT Members $20


    April 21, 2012
    1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Agate Inn, Wasilla
    $50 fee; ACAT Members $20


    Bronwyn Barry
       

     Passiv Haus is an international standard for building construction approaching net zero. Bronwyn is a designer and window specialist for super-insulated construction. She currently works with Passiv Haus US and presents detailing for windows in super-insulated construction. She previously worked for Quantum Builders for Sustainable Living in Berkeley, California, heading the Window Sales division for two lines of German windows: Sorpetaler and Enersign.

    REGISTER HERE


      
     

    Alaska Greenhouse and the Challenge to Eat Local

    May 18, 2012
    7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

    Site pending, Anchorage
     $10 fee; ACAT Members free

    May 19, 2012
    6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
    Agate Inn, Wasilla
    $10 fee; ACAT Members free
     
    Matt Oster and Saskia Esslinger

    http://rededgealaska.com 

    Matt and Saskia will present their design for an Alaskan Greenhouse and the science behind it.
    They will also share stories of their experiences of their challenge to eat local (and only local) for the past year. Matt Oster and Saskia Esslinger are co-owners of Red Edge Design, LLC, Urban Homesteads for Modern Living. Matt and Saskia are certified in Permaculture designs and teachers, and have worked for the past four years to transform their small house into an abundant urban homestead.
    The Wasilla meeting will include a potluck dinner. 

    REGISTER HERE


     


    Guide to Solar Decathlon
    by Harvey Bowers
     

    ACAT hosted a presentation in October by Joe Wheeler, AIA, Associate Professor Virginia Tech School of Architecture & Design, on lumen HAUS, the 2010 International Solar Decathlon winner.  Two weeks later, the Alaska Home Builders Convention in Fairbanks had a presentation from Santa Clara University www.refracthouse.com which took 3rdplace in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. 
     

    I happened to visit the 2011 Solar Decathlon in Washington, DC in September.  We have a lot to learn from these students from all over the world.  Following is a short summary of what you may find interesting from these student built homes.

    First, these students from the World’s top University Architecture and Engineering schools get it!  Energy efficiency is a key to the future.

       

     

    In touring the 19 homes, all had high quality triple pane windows, with low E coatings and gas filled.  Many had better doors than I have seen in Alaska.  The insulation levels for floors, wall and ceiling exceed our 5 star homes. The homes had mechanical ventilation systems, i.e. HRV (heat recovery ventilator), ERV (energy recovery ventilator), or CERV (conditioning energy recovery ventilator).  They also had very efficient heating/cooling systems.  Some had total water recycling systems and used plants to clean the indoor air.

     
    The web sites featuring the homes include one of the most useful pieces of information,…the research and listing of appliances that each home used. If you have researched heating systems, refrigerators or dish washers you know that each search can take a huge amount of time.  Some of these schools have done a great job in researching  and presenting their selections, along with the alternative energy systems.

     
    All Solar Decathlon homes generate as much energy as they use, NZE.  Many can power an electric car in addition to powering the home.  Typically the photo voltaic (PV) solar electric systems were 8 to 10 KW.  Many also had solar thermal systems for hot water.


    To be in this level of competition, each home meets a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) total of 0 or less. Alaska 5 star homes would probably fall in the 40-60 HERS rating. For HERS ratings the lower the score the better. 

    Many homes used a Mitsubishi dual stage heat pump for heating and cooling, which will supposedly work down to -13 Degrees F.  I had not seen this before. 

     
    Below are links to some of the top homes to look at.  All can be listed and linked through  www.solardecathlon.gov
     
    Lumen HAUS, www.lumenhaus.com  Virginia Tech.  Key features: automated R 20 poly carbonate shutter system filled with aerogel, with double brush weather strip and a EPDM seal between brushes; building control and monitoring systems; very interesting selection of appliances; 9.3 kW PV systems. Aeorgel is sodium montmorillonite.  It is a clay mineral that is freeze dried so that it is mostly empty space.  ACAT video taped Joe Wheeler’s presentation on Lumen Haus.
     
    Watershed, www.2011.solarteam.org   2011 winner.  Univ. of Maryland.  Key features:  vertical garden for growing vegetables and water recycling via wetland; vertical  concentrating solar thermal system which may have good Alaska application. A 9.2 kW PV system
     
    In Home, www.purdue.edu/inhome  Purdue University.  Key features: SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels); Biowall, inside plant wall, as part of air system and self watering. 8.6 kW PV system.
     
    First Light, www.firstlighthouse.ac.nz  Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.  Key features: Good use of local wood; 10 inches of wool for insulation.  6.3 kW PV system.  It won an engineering award for its solar thermal clothes dryer.
     
    TRTL (Turtle) www.solardecathlon.ca  University of Calgary.  Key features: designed as First Nation housing; basically a great room design (single large room). 8.7 kW PV system.
     
    CHIPS  www.Chip2011.com   Southern California Institute of Architecture.  Key features:  modern design;  entire structure was covered with a vinyl coated, insulated (paper) fabric blanket which may have retrofit applications; 3- D camera adjusted lighting.
     
    For a complete list go to www.solardecathlon.gov and click on teams.  From there you can click on the team to see their site. It is apparent that building is going through a transformation just like telecommunications did a decade back.
     



              
     

    Copyright © 2012 Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology, All rights reserved.