Designing Ecological Habitats - Gaia Education

Renewable Energy & Electric
Systems Design for Ecovillages
Introduction
In this introduction to village-scale renewable energy systems design, independent
consultant Jeff Clearwater encapsulates 32 years worth of experience. Jeff implores
us, “Begin with conservation!” He then discusses the pros and cons of the five basic
renewable sources: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and waste heat. Finally, these sources
are integrated in a whole systems package that is sure to shed light on all that is actually
involved in the powering of an ecovillage. Jeff recommends seeking the advice of an
experienced practitioner before engaging this complex task. By doing so, you will prevent
many future problems and will make your efforts as cost-effective as possible.
Jeff Clearwater – Village Power Design, Oregon, USA
When we think of whole systems design in the context of ecovillages,
we seek to create the ideal human habitat that integrates seamlessly with
Nature. For many, ecovillage living equates to ‘simple living’ or ‘getting back
to Nature’; and so, in turn, we tend to think of ‘simple tools’ to accomplish
this human-nature integration. However, for most of us, the life we seek to
create – in what Albert Bates calls Civilization 2 – hopefully includes some of
the not so simple creations of Civilization 1, creations like lighting, stereos,
cameras, computers, toasters, blenders, phones, and the Internet. Providing
a renewable and sustainable electricity supply for ecovillages to power these
loads is no simple matter. What I hope to do in this short essay is to distill
the essential design wisdom of 32 years of designing and installing villagesized
renewable energy systems, or at least introduce you to the terrain.
Appropriate Technology
The primary design driver for a renewable electric energy system is the
culture that people want to create. It is essential that the designer explore
with the community what ‘appropriate technology’ means to them by asking
some basic questions: Appropriate in what way? How does the electrically
driven ‘tools’ we use serve our mission and values? What is essential? How
else can we accomplish any given need? Who will service the system? What
percentage of our resources do we devote to what level of electric service?
Do we believe in or should we rely on the utility grid? Should we phase
out of using it? Get answers to these questions before proceeding with the
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