Smart home: Panasonic puts energy into eco-house

The concept would cut out carbon emissions by using building materials with a high insulation performance. Energy for the home would be supplied by solar power generators and fuel cells, and stored in batteries. An integrated home energy management system would manage the energy output of the house.

The concept fits in with the notion of a Smart Home, as explored in our Future Family macrotrend. For another example of an electronics company looking at ways to cut ecological footprints in the home, read our Innovate article on the Philips Microbial Home.