Prototype energy autonomous studio in Dundee, Scotland

Prototype Energy Autonomous Studio’ is a net-zero energy, PV- and wind-powered configurable off-grid demonstrator building, located in Dundee University’s Botanical Gardens. It was developed and constructed as a self-build collaborative student project, led by the Department of Architecture’s Macro Micro Master of Architecture research unit, with contributions from masters’ students in Civil Engineering, Renewable Energy and Applied Computing. A consortium of some 50 manufacturers and suppliers contributed specialist knowhow and donations of in-kind materials. The prototype represents a ‘live’ test-bed, monitoring energy generation and storage technologies and performance of the Passivhaus timber frame construction. This enables the feasibility of ultra-low energy and off-grid buildings powered solely by renewable sources to be assessed in the context of the Scottish Government’s strategy for a low-carbon future. We describe the research rationale, the processes and decision-making in the development of the formal and technical design of the building and energy generation, monitoring and management systems, and review present status and future expectations.