Although the next “product” is designed only for the super-rich, it does show how it is possible to use green technologies in order to make an almost autonomous home, In this case, a floating one.
The luxury Orsos Island, is a floating home resort that is designed to “combine all the positive aspects of mainland real estate and luxury yachts” by offering homeowners their own solar-powered private island abodes that can be moved and re-anchored whenever they feel like it. The Orsos Islands have been specially developed for private use as well as the exclusive hotel industry and are expected to be available by 2013. Each island is rumored to cost $4.6 million.
What do you get in return? Each ‘island home’ is over 20 meters wide and more than 37 meters in length and has enough accommodation of up to 12 guests should you wish to invite people on to your tropical retreat. The islands are also completely sustainable and feature an autonomous power supply based energy system. Not only does each island have more than 160 m² of solar panels to take advantage of the beautiful weather, but is also powered, both day and night, by a blissfully noiseless wind energy system. The island also takes heat from the sea water in order to power the heating and air conditioning. All of this is controlled by an intelligent computer system that monitors the entire energy management process.
The system also ensures that any excess energy is not wasted by distributing it to various batteries. It is also used in the treatment of salt water to make drinking water and for the disposal of waste water. Recycled water only leaves the island in drinking water quality, to protect and sustain the environment as well as cement the green credentials of the Orsos Island. However in the case of an emergency (or as the official website says ”to guarantee the maintenance of the power supply and security of ORSOS Islands”) each resort is equipped with two diesel engines.
