Off-Grid Tiny Housing : An Investigation of Local Sustainable Heat and Power Generation for an Artificial Island in Stockholm

Abstract: A growing world population has resulted in an increasing number of people being homeless or living in inadequate housing. In addition, the threatening climate crisis and the world’s limited resources calls for a more sustainable way of living. The organization Stockholm Tiny House Expo aims to contribute a solution to these issues: an artificial island with several tiny houses, able to adapt to rising sea levels, having net-zero-waste and completely self-sufficient regarding energy. This island will symbolize the sustainable development goals and will be an attraction for tourists, as well as create several job opportunities. In order to realize this vision, research needs to be conducted to find solutions to make this island become reality. Therefore, the aim of this project is to evaluate the economic and environmental feasibility of a high degree of self-sufficiency regarding energy, by locally producing heat and power, on an artificial island in Stockholm. Firstly, a literature review is conducted to find suitable technologies to supply the island with heat and power. Subsequently, the software tools IDA ICE and HOMER Pro are used to simulate the energy demand and supply of the island. Eight different scenarios, with different types of supply and demand, are created to investigate different possibilities of the island. The scenarios are evaluated using technical-, economic- and environmental key performance indicators. A scenario where the demand is reduced and heat and power are supplied only by resources on the island, is deemed most relevant based on Stockholm Tiny House Expo’s vision. A sensitivity analysis is therefore performed on this scenario. The results indicate technical and environmental feasibility; however, the economic evaluation showed that this scenario will be non-profitable. Although the scenario is non-profitable, if further measures are taken to create a pricing model to customers, it could be possible. In conclusion, the results of this research indicate that it is possible for Stockholm Tiny House Expo to be self-sufficient regarding heat and power solely utilizing renewable energy. The evaluation of the results, however, showed that it is not economically feasible. In addition, the national grid did not contribute to an impact on the surrounding environment, nor to a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, grid connection is recommended for Stockholm Tiny House Expo.