Smart innovation applications for a green house using sustainable and renewable energy in the UAE: Home energy retrofit

Abstract

World electricity demand is rapidly overtaking the power supply. Solar cell power is an alternative method of power generation. This paper focuses on designing a smart greenhouse using two power sources, one from the normal grid and another from the solar panels, in order to reduce the required energy for the house. Furthermore, by depending on the sun as a renewable source of power, it provides ‘clean’ energy. The house design consists of three important parts: the house construction, the solar system, and the use of smart applications. First, the house's construction and orientation is designed to reduce heat transfer and save more power. The construction materials of the wall, roof, ground and windows were selected for their favorable thermal mass and properties. Furthermore, the house is built with an East-West orientation with north and south facing windows. The second part employs an active solar technique using photovoltaic panels. A Solar PV system using photovoltaic cells converts sunlight into electricity, which provides the house with the necessary LED lights. The third part involves the use of smart applications, which are operated by solar power. These applications are as follows: solar curtains which can be opened at sunrise and closed at sunset through the use of a sensor that detects the sunlight when the sun rises and sets. A timer is added to the system to control the time that the curtain opens and closes in case the user wishes to select a different time for this operation. A sound system with different music sounds, such as prayer supplication (duaa') for morning and evening are also included; a security system with an automatic warning device in case of break in that sends a message to the police station, the owner of the house and the security staff; entry and exit house application devices that produce a sound of citations on the main door when a person enters or exits the house; and finally, a prayer time device (Azzan).