UrbanEden is UNC Charlotte’s Solar Decathlon Entry

With only the sun powering its new technologies, UNC Charlotte’s UrbanEden will be an innovative, sustainable, efficient and eco-friendly house that is at the same time attractive and comfortable.

Part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition, UrbanEden is a joint project of UNC Charlotte’s colleges of engineering, architecture and business. The Solar Decathlon competition takes places every two years, and UNC Charlotte was one of 20 collegiate teams chosen to participate in the 2013 event.

“The ultimate goal in the competition is to demonstrate how to integrate new energy-efficient technologies into homes,” said Dr. Mona Azarbayjani, the team project manager from architecture. “The house will be completely solar powered using several new technologies and renewable technologies, so it’s innovative and novel.”

One of the most innovative aspects of the home will be the use of geopolymer fly-ash concrete for its walls and floors. Dr. Brett Tempest of Civil and Environmental Engineering has been researching the replacement of Portland cement with coal fly-ash for the past five years.

“The opportunity Solar Decathlon gives to emerging technologies is that you’re able to demonstrate it and really make sure that this stuff works,” said Tempest. “This is very likely going to be the first geopolymer application of this type.”

Using coal ash in the concrete is better than using the traditional Portland cement because it cuts down on carbon dioxide emissions.

“The Portland cement produces an enormous amount of greenhouse gas, about 10 percent of the overall emissions for everything, including cars,” said Dr. Tempest. “The good thing about using coal ash is that we are using a waste product instead of mining for something new.”

The temperature control of the house will be achieved by using solar power to heat and cool liquid that is then passed through a series of tubes inside the geopolymer walls. This radiator-type system will use very little energy.

UrbanEden consists of four integrated interior modules, each with a corresponding exterior component. The series of connected indoor and outdoor rooms create a versatile environment that can be adapted to meet multiple uses, thus allowing the 800-square-foot home to feel big.

The team of 80 students and faculty began construction of the house in January 2013 at the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) on the UNC Charlotte campus. It will be completed in June and open this summer for scheduled tours before being dismantled and shipped to Irvine, Calif., where the 2013 competition takes place October. The 10-day event will include competition in categories such as architecture, marketing appeal, engineering, communications, affordability, comfort zone, hot water, appliances, home entertainment and energy balance.