An integrated design approach for sustainable community development

This paper presents our study in designing a 700 acre low-energy community on the Island of Hawaii. This study was an interdisciplinary collaboration among engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and business management. We took an integrated approach, which encompasses reducing energy demand, optimizing on-site renewable energy generation, implementing an efficient energy distribution system as well as effective energy management, and conserving natural resources. Technologies and their system integration were modeled and analyzed including solar photovoltaics, battery and compressed air energy storage, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, demand response, microgrid, energy aggregator, passive and deep source cooling, microclimate and alternative landscaping. Various business models were developed. We showed that, with careful planning, it is feasible for a low energy or net zero energy community to become environmentally friendly and economically profitable at the same time. This community will benefit its residents, developers, investors, the utility company and the rest of the world.