Why go off-grid? Survey will help researchers understand those who 'unplug'

What does going off-grid look like for residents who have chosen to "unplug" their homes?

To find out, researchers from Griffith University's School of Engineering and Built Environment have launched an online survey and will conduct interviews.

Under their project, "Advancing Resilient Off-Grid Living," the research team is hoping the findings improve the understanding of off-grid living in Queensland, because the social and environmental impacts of off-grid housing are currently not well understood.

A particular focus will be on the architectural, energy, and environmental aspects of off-grid living, as well as its social impact on the community.

Dr. Peyman Akhgar, one of the project leads and survey developers, said many unknowns still existed about why people chose to live off-grid, how long people have been off-grid, how they set up their homes, type of households, and what are the positives and negatives of living off-grid.

"Currently, off-grid living is not a common practice," Dr. Akhgar said.

"For instance, if you live in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, going off-grid might not be applicable or allowed. So, we want to know, what are the social and environmental values of going off-grid that make it worthwhile?"

The results of this research will help the team understand the regulatory framework and promote resilient and interconnected communities through off-grid solutions and sustainable strategies.

Take the survey here.

Provided by Griffith University