Researchers for the United States Department of Energy have 3D-printed a small dwelling and an electric vehicle that can power each other. A team at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee developed the world’s first “working level bi-directional power system.” The building sports a flexible 3.2-kilowatt solar voltaic system – dubbed AIME (for Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy) – paired with electric-vehicle batteries, providing renewable power generation and storage. Energy can flow in either direction between the vehicle and the house via a wireless transfer system. In one direction, the platform can charge the car battery and in the other direction, the car can power the house, explained team member Roderick Jackson.
3D printing is an environmentally conscious process because there’s little or no manufacturing waste or emissions. Also interesting is that this 3D printed house and car can share electricity back and forth, depending on where it’s needed. Just keep both charged and at the ready.
