Green Living: A city's suburbs could hold the solution to dwindling fuel supplies by producing enough energy to power residents' cars and even top up power resources, pioneering new research has found.
This research was conducted by Professor Hugh Byrd from the University of Lincoln, UK, and his collaborators, and published in the journal 'Energy Policy' sets to challenge our views on the urban environment. The research investigates the theory on compact urban architecture as best solutions for a sustainable city.
"This study challenges conventional thinking that suburbia is energy-inefficient, a belief that has become enshrined in architectural policy. In fact, our results reverse the argument for a compact city based on transport energy use, and completely change the current perception of urban sprawl. While a compact city may be more efficient for internal combustion engine vehicles, a dispersed city is more efficient when distributed generation of electricity by photovoltaic installations is the main energy source and electric vehicles are the principal mode of transport." Stated Professor Byrd.
He continues that: "However, if this energy contribution is to be effective, controls of new suburban development may be needed that require the installation of photovoltaic roofing, along with smart meters and appropriate charging facilities for vehicles. City planners will need to make the changes necessary to control suburban development."(reference)
Full research paper: ScienceDirect
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