The results will be announced at a Gala Dinner on 3 March in London. If successful, the Batavia House will follow in the footsteps of Camco's other client Crest Nicholson, who we helped win Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year in December 2008.Camco helped create a zero-carbon house, Batavia, on Britain’s most northerly island of Unst.The project demonstrates how renewable energy can create a unique living experience on a remote island in a severe climate. Camco CEO, Dr Jeff Kenna helped create the vision and, together with UK Director Duncan Price, provided technical energy advice throughout. Michael Rea, the project initiator, moved into the house in early 2008.The environmental benefits are many-fold.Batavia produces its own heat from an air source pump, and uses a specially adapted water tank to store heat and distribute it to the home. A 5kW wind turbine is due to be installed this month, and another is being considered. As well as providing for the needs of the house, the renewable electricity will also be used to fuel an electric vehicle for transportation.Construction materials for the traditional timber design have been sourced from reclaimed and sustainable local sources as far as possible.Food will be grown in high-tech greenhouses using a hydroponic growing system and LED lights. Food miles to a distant community, such as Shetland, are inherently very high. The objective is to become entirely self-sufficient in vegetables, and provide as much as possible to the local community, in 2009.A dry stone wall is under construction, and wild flowers are being encouraged to grow in the voids. Birds are finding food and shelter in its grassy top. The overall aim is to pilot an approach to carbon-neutral living that can be replicated across the UK and elsewhere. Good relationships have been formed with the local community, including contractors and a school.The zero carbon house has attracted worldwide media coverage, hundreds of emails and visits, and is even planned to feature in a game and the homeowner’s biographical book. Perhaps its greatest environmental benefit of all, therefore, is its power to inspire.