A self-sufficient building that generates the energy it needs, stores any surplus and produces some of its own food. This is Ecolibera, the home of the future.
It is a completely self-sufficient solution that brings together the best technology currently available in the fields of energy efficiency, energy production and energy storage. Ecolibera is the first concept of a building disconnected from the electricity grid – and from the water mains – capable of producing all the energy it needs, storing it and using the surplus to grow fruit and vegetables.
"These days you often hear people talking about eco-friendly or passive houses," says Pierpaolo Zampini, chief executive of Ecolibera. "What's the difference with the latter? It's that this house produces more energy than it needs and that it's possible to store it."
But how do you design a home with these characteristics? "We use the concepts of bioclimatic architecture," explains Zampini. "For example, the glazed section faces south so that solar radiation is greater in winter, while shading systems are in place for the summer."
Technology then takes care of producing the necessary energy. Photovoltaics, solar thermal and a storage system. "We reduced energy storage on lithium, which is very expensive, and instead chose to focus on hot water, at 90 degrees. This is used to heat the house and to power the air-to-water heat pumps."
But there is more. To avoid any need for the electricity grid, the building is able to harness the hot steam from the stored water to generate electricity on demand via a rotor capable of producing up to 2 kilowatts. In this case, the energy is stored in the water. The surplus electricity produced can also be used to charge an electric vehicle – a fast-charging point can be installed at the design stage – and to power an automated hydroponic cultivation system controlled via software.
In practice, it is not currently possible to live in a home disconnected from the grid. How is this issue resolved? "To obtain a certificate of habitability, you have to be connected to the electricity grid. Once you have the connection, you simply switch off the utilities," explains Zampini.
To date the company has built four Eco Suites, the prefabricated, mobile version of the building, located within the Camping village in Milan. "Four-star structures," concludes Zampini, "that were frequently overbooked during Expo."