The Power of Design: Product Innovation in Sustainable Energy Technologies

Book description

The Power of Design offers an introduction and a practical guide to product innovation, integrating the key topics that are necessary for the design of sustainable and energy-efficient products using sustainable energy technologies.

Product innovation in sustainable energy technologies is an interdisciplinary field. In response to its growing importance and the need for an integrated view on the development of solutions, this text addresses the functional principles of various energy technologies next to the latest design processes and innovation methods.

From the perspective of product applications, the book provides clear explanations of technologies that are significant for product integration, such as batteries, photovoltaic solar energy, fuel cells, small wind turbines, human power, energy saving lighting, thermal energy technologies in buildings, and piezoelectric energy conversions. The design processes and innovation methods presented in this book include various approaches ranging from technical, societal and creative methods that can be applied in different stages of the design process.

Other features include:

  • a methodological approach, enabling readers to easily apply the theory to their research projects and to the actual design of sustainable products with energy technologies

  • discussion on interaction design and smart grid interventions

  • colour photographs that illustrate the final products

  • numerous case studies of product development projects and concepts in practice, enabling readers to understand and design energy-efficient products in several different markets

  • a companion website containing useful information about the cases and an additional design cases with sustainable energy technologies

The Power of Design provides a comprehensive and visually-appealing opening into the subject for third and fourth year students, postgraduates, and professionals in the areas of energy, environment, product design and engineering

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Preface
  5. Foreword
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. About the Editors
  8. About the Contributors
  9. Chapter 1: Introduction: Challenges at the Crossroads of Energy and Design
    1. 1.1 Introduction
    2. 1.2 Energy Issues: A Brief Explanation
    3. 1.3 Sustainable Energy and Product Design
    4. 1.4 Industrial Design Engineering
    5. 1.5 Design for Sustainability (DfS)
    6. 1.6 Energy Challenges at the Base of the Economic Pyramid
    7. 1.7 Reading This Book
    8. References
  10. Chapter 2: Innovation Methods
    1. 2.1 Introduction to Innovation Methods in Design Processes
    2. References
    3. 2.2 Platform-Driven Product Development
    4. References
    5. 2.3 Delft Innovation Model in Use
    6. References
    7. 2.4 TRIZ: A Theory of Solving Inventive Problems
    8. References
    9. Further Reading
    10. 2.5 Technology Roadmapping
    11. References
    12. Further Reading
    13. 2.6 The Design and Styling of Future Things
    14. References
    15. Further Reading
    16. 2.7 Constructive Technology Assessment
    17. References
    18. 2.8 Innovation Journey: Navigating Unknown Waters
    19. References
    20. 2.9 Risk-Diagnosing Methodology
    21. Appendix 2.9: Reference List with Potential Risk Issues in the Innovation Process
    22. References
    23. 2.10 A Multilevel Design Model Clarifying the Mutual Relationship between New Products and Societal Change Processes
    24. References
  11. Chapter 3: Energy Technologies
    1. 3.1 Introduction
    2. 3.2 Rechargeable Batteries for Energy Storage
    3. References
    4. 3.3 Photovoltaics and Product Integration
    5. References
    6. Further Reading
    7. 3.4 Fuel Cells
    8. References
    9. 3.5 Small Wind Turbines
    10. References
    11. 3.6 Human-Powered Energy Systems
    12. References
    13. Further Reading
    14. 3.7 Energy-Saving Lighting
    15. Further Reading
    16. 3.8 Energy-Saving Technologies in the Built Environment
    17. References
    18. Further Reading
    19. 3.9 Piezoelectric Energy Conversions
    20. References
  12. Chapter 4: Using Energy: Beyond Individual Approaches to Influencing Energy Behavior
    1. 4.1 Introduction
    2. 4.2 The Changing Roles of End Users and Residents in the Energy Provision System
    3. 4.3 Stimulating Energy Behavior Change in Current Design Practice
    4. 4.4 Toward Including Social Interaction and Community-Based Approaches
    5. 4.5 Approaches to Using Social Interaction in Relation to Energy-Related Behavior
    6. 4.6 Conclusions
    7. References
  13. Case A: SolarBear: Refrigeration for the Base of the Pyramid through Adsorptive Cooling
    1. A.1 Introduction
    2. A.2 The SolarBear Approach
    3. A.3 Results of the First Cycle of Product Development: Proof of Concept and Market
    4. A.4 Future Work: A Working Prototype and Further Development by Enviu
    5. References
  14. Case B: Environmental Impact of Photovoltaic Lighting
    1. B.1 Introduction
    2. B.2 The Lighting Systems
    3. B.3 Environmental Impacts and Discussion
    4. B.4 Conclusion
    5. Acknowledgments
    6. References
  15. Case C: Restyling Photovoltaic Modules
    1. C.1 Introduction
    2. C.2 Analysis Phase
    3. C.3 Design Phase
    4. C.4 The “Flower Cell”
    5. C.5 Prototyping
    6. C.6 Test Results
    7. C.7 Conclusions
    8. Reference
  16. Case D: Selection of Power Sources for Portable Applications
    1. D.1 Introduction
    2. D.2 An Overview of Selection Strategies
    3. D.3 Power Source Selection Tool Method
    4. D.4 Conclusion and Discussion
    5. References
  17. Case E: Design of a Solar-Powered Wireless Computer Mouse
    1. E.1 Introduction
    2. E.2 Product Design Process
    3. E.3 Component Selection
    4. E.4 Final SPM Product
    5. E.5 Conclusion
    6. E.6 Acknowledgments
    7. References
  18. Case F: Light Urban Mobility
    1. F.1 Introduction
    2. F.2 Background
    3. F.3 Mobility and Design
    4. F.4 Role and Importance of Energy
    5. F.5 Light Urban Mobility
    6. F.6 Conclusions
    7. References
  19. Case G: From Participatory Design to Market Introduction of a Solar Light for the BoP Market
    1. G.1 Introduction
    2. G.2 Methods
    3. G.3 Results
    4. G.4 Feedback from the Field
    5. G.5 Market and Business Considerations
    6. G.6 Discussion
    7. References
  20. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Power of Design: Product Innovation in Sustainable Energy Technologies
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: November 2012
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781118308677