Sharp begins testing an ecological house to reduce energy consumption

In June 2011, the corporation began turning into reality the concept of a house that would produce «zero CO2». Sharp's two main goals in creating the eco-house are to minimize energy consumption and to provide comfortable living conditions.

The Sharp ecological house is equipped with modern energy-saving devices networked together with a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) that regulates the home's energy use. This system shows electricity consumption figures on displays, which can be AQUOS family televisions or LCD tablets. Thanks to the HEMS, the residents of such a house can quantify how much energy they consume and save. The eco-house features LED lighting, which is notable for its low energy consumption as well as the ability to adjust brightness and color to the most comfortable level.

The HEMS also plays a key role in properly monitoring the energy generated by the solar panels, stored in batteries, and consumed by devices.

In its drive to achieve maximum comfort in the house of the future, Sharp will apply the latest technology in the eco-house. For example, the energy generated by photovoltaic cells will be supplied as direct current straight to DC devices without conversion to alternating current, while an electric vehicle's traction battery, connected to a «smart» voltage regulator, will serve as a battery for the house. In addition, the suitability of a large 180-inch LCD screen in today's green-oriented world will be evaluated.

Sharp will be able to apply the data obtained from testing the eco-house to expand its activities in the energy sector: the experimental ecological house will help implement practical applications related to peak load control and the compatibility of appliances and devices with «smart» energy systems.

The eco-house will operate as follows:

• it will be fitted with devices such as AQUOS family LCD televisions and LCD tablets to monitor energy savings via the HEMS and a system for measuring the individual energy consumption of each device;
• it will demonstrate energy savings and comfort through LED lighting;
• it will help assess the effectiveness of powering the home's devices from an electric vehicle battery connected to a «smart» voltage regulator;
• the house will use energy generated by photovoltaic cells to directly power DC devices.