Energy Sustainability for Arcosanti, AZ

Arcosanti is a community of approximately 100 people located 70 miles north of Phoenix, AZ. It was founded by Italian-born architect Paolo Soleri based on the concept of "arcology", or "architecture and ecology". The community emphasizes four key values: Ecological Accountability, Limited Footprint, Resourcefulness, and Experiential Learning. This project examines methods by which the community can enhance its sustainability and limit its ecological impact. Specifically, the study investigates the feasibility of wind and/or solar powered pumps to supply the community's water demand. The final solution proposes a variable frequency drive solar powered pumping system capable of meeting demand for more than 300 days annually.