KTH students present energy efficient solutions
A complete energy system for the home based on solar energy with lower electricity bills as a result. An electric adapter that turns everything off when apparatus connected to it go to standby. These are two energy efficient solution projects presented by the Master of Science in Engineering, Design and Product Development Course students at the DopExpo 2 Exhibition on 4 December on the KTH central campus, Valhallavägen.
Homeowners in Sweden spend tens of thousands of crowns on energy every year. Apart from their private economies suffering, the environment also pays a high price. Wouldn’t a solution that is both environmentally friendly and that leads to lower electricity bills be optimal? This solution is called Endependence and is a complete energy system for the home. This has been developed by students at KTH and will be presented when this course exhibits its projects at 2 DopExpo on 2–4 December. By using as much solar energy as possible, the idea is that Endependence will create a self-sufficient household.
Endependence consists of two parts. One part is a solar panel that generates electricity and uses waste heat to warm up water. The other part is an energy centre that stores the electrical energy from the solar panel in gas, so that it can be transformed back to electricity whenever necessary with the use of fuel cells. Water will be the only by-product. Hot water from the solar panel is also stored. This water could then be used to, for example, heat the house.
Another project group have developed an adapter called Pistill, which is aimed at preventing ten percent of household electricity being used by apparatus on unnecessary standby operation. Pistill shuts off when apparatus connected to it go to standby. In addition Pistill tells the user how much current is being used as the cables change colour. Strong colours mean that a lot of energy is being used.
This year some students have cooperated with IKEA Greentech. Their task has been to develop environmental products for IKEA that are radically better and cheaper than those in existence today. Students work in accordance with IKEA’s design process by first examining what is missing on the market and what the consumers need. Then a design process begins that ends with a finished design proposal visualised in images and models. These include smart solutions for using daylight for lighting, saving water when washing dishes, energy-saving fridges and new kitchen equipment.
Håkan Soold