Three-In-One Solar energy solution for the home

If it is a dream, it is a nice one .... so let us dream the dream and live the dream

I am envisioning a domestic "integrated solar energy system" that can capture solar energy all day through to do the following

• Solar water heating: for home heating/warning purposes in the cold (yet sunny) winter days
• Solar water heating:  for domestic (local consumption) washing, bathing, ... etc
• Solar Air heating:  for direct air heating and circulating inside the house using electric fans
• Solar Electricity generation: to generate DC/AC electricity to drive the fans which will be use in the hot air circulation
• Solar Electricity generation: to generate DC/AC power for lighting and low-power use
• Solar Air cooling: to use the heat from solar energy to generate cold air for summer time

Another desirable feature (capability) in this integrated solar energy system would be to connect to traditional energy sources to complement the solar generated energies in cloudy and partly cloudy days.  This includes electricity, gas, fuel  sources which will be engaged in such conditions to compensate for the difference in solar generated energy levels.

The economics of such a system should justify its use.  Initial investments in such solutions should be recovered within 3-5 years for simple systems and from 5-10 years for complex systems.  This should come mainly from energy savings (electricity, gas, fuel, ...) that would otherwise be spent in these periods of time.

Energy Architecture

I don't know if the term "energy architecture" means anything in physical terms. However, I mean to put a set of logical rules/principles that apply to energy for better understanding of the topic

1. Energy and matter make up the whole universe we know and live in including ourselves.
2. The sum of matter and energy is constant.  
3. Matter and energy are inter-changeable and inter-convertible from one form to the other
4. Matter and energy have different forms, shapes and states
5. Matter and energy are covered by different branches of science including physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, electronics, .... 
6. Mathematics is the language of numbers used to quantify/measure the different aspects of sciences used in dealing with matter and energy
7. Mathematical modeling is a language used to describe specific relations in matter/energy formations, behaviors and/or interchanges.
8. Computers, communications and control (3C) are important aspects in dealing with matter and energy.
9. Matter and energy have several distinct, isolated, sometimes overlapping and generally non-ending life-cycles that we may be able to grasp partly or fully 
10. We may use energy in one form or another to change matter (in whatever shape/form) to another more desirable form or shape
11. We may also use matter in whatever shape or form to change energy from one form to another more desirable form
12. Energy and matter conversions generally involve some level of waste which may take the form of undesired energy or matter shapes or formats.

There might be more empirical laws governing matter and/or energy that we can include here in the future ~ 

Let us talk "domestic" smart energy

We mean by "Domestic Energy" the one used  inside buildings whether they are single homes (villas), apartments in residential buildings, office buildings and so on so forth.

Talking "Smart Energy" in these buildings takes us to three main subtopics

1. Energy generation from different sources and in different forms & shapes 
2. Energy storage & preservation  
3. Energy usage effectively and efficiently 

Furthermore, it is important to understand the different forms of energy that are needed in domestic use 

• Internal/External Lighting
• Air Conditioning 
• Water Heating/Cooling
• Refrigerating/Food preserving 
• Solar Cooking
• Machinery

Welcome to Smart Energy

This blog is dedicates to "Smart Energy" topics addressing the need for dealing with energy smartly in the aspects of

• Generation of energy  (conversion of energy from one form to another)
• Transportation/transfer of energy
• Storage of energy
• Distribution of energy
• Consumption of energy 

I do not want to turn this blog into a lecture in physics (or chemistry as a matter of fact). However, we realize that there is energy spent in the "blink of an eye" as well as in the mightiest volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes.

Besides artificial/natural sources of energy, there are also countless sources of natural energy surrounding us everywhere in our life and our world, and it is our duty to explore and benefit from in the most optimized way !