University of Alabama at Birmingham
IN-24: Innovation A

UAB’s Urban Multisource Microgrid is the first neighborhood of its kind in Alabama and the only living lab of its kind at a college or university in the region. The site houses UAB’s Solar Decathlon 2017 house and several 200-square-foot homes recovered from another site on campus, to be repurposed and renovated for small-scale net-zero housing. The Sustainable Microgrid Demonstration Site applies a whole-systems design approach to transform the community into an energy-independent island that presents the smallest ecological footprint possible. The block features an orchard, a community garden, and functioning solar, wind, and other renewable-sourced installations that powers the microgrid — the neighborhood provides all of its own energy and will not be connected to the electric utility. The site is studied and managed by student and faculty researchers, who conducts tours, collect data, and maintain the living spaces and gardens. UAB Engineering and UAB Sustainability will establish an RFP system for proposals open to all disciplines for conducting renewable energy and other types of research at the site to keep technology current. UAB Sustainability coordinates community outreach, education and engagement strategies for a broad audience, including events and individual and group tours. UAB Sustainability will build a thorough educational component aimed at addressing multiple audiences: school-aged children, homeowners, corporate, construction, the energy industry, and other professionals. The program is aimed at highlighting the benefits of microgrids, including varieties and aspects of renewable energy generation, carbon emission reduction, principles of minimizing our ecological footprint, and holistic practices that contribute to sustainable living. Visiting groups can tour the Solar Decathlon home, micro-homes, the microgrid, and the adjacent gardens, orchard, and water harvesting and composting systems. The UAB Solar House and Microgrid project is partnered with the UAB Center for Community Outreach Development; Corey Shum, Immersive Experience Laboratories; and Vulcan Park and Museum. Through these partnerships, the Solar House and Microgrid open its doors to educational tours, STEM electricity courses for all ages, and hands-on science experiences.