A CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) is a 3D interactive environment that enables a user to be fully immersed in a virtual world and offers a unique way to visualise and interact with digital information. The primary goal of this thesis is to report on the development of a new open source CAVE software framework that provides greater access to both professional and amateur CAVE environments to users of all levels. In the first part of this thesis, the history and evolution of virtual environments as well as the generic affordances of the modern day CAVE are characterised. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the factors that influence immersion, the different methods and devices of interaction, and a small project to develop a CAVE specific interaction device is described. In the second part of this thesis, the focus is on novel work to develop a new open source platform for CAVE environments and the implementation of this platform in the visualisation of real-world sensor data. This data is collected from a range of residential and educational buildings across a local community and is used in support of an ongoing ‘smart energy’ project which is also described in detail. In conclusion, this thesis argues that through the development of new, easy-to-use, open source software and the ongoing reduction in key hardware technology costs, CAVE environments can be an effective and affordable visualisation tool for both experienced and novice users. The CAVE environment need no longer remain the sole preserve of well-funded educational and business organisations. Rather, through technology innovations such as proposed in this work, the era of the much vaunted low-cost CAVE is ‘virtually’ upon us.