With Seenergy we aim to provide a variety of signature design furniture and household products (tables, frameworks, lamps, etc.) that are able to store and convert solar energy into a power source (LED light or USB power outlet) for personal usage. Our solution makes use of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells, instead of regular opaque solar panels, and aims to become an energy industry playmaker for a new green cycle in architecture and design.
Cross-border/international
Portugal
Portugal
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It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As an individual
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Yes
New European Bauhaus or European Commission websites
Solar is becoming our planet's cheapest source of energy and it will play a vital role in fighting our climate crisis.
During the development of technologies, the aesthetics are still often subordinated to its efficiency. While Seenergy directs its focus to alternative energy resources, it also makes an obvious attempt to frame new technologies beyond basic scientific efficiency.
On the other hand, the lack of visual appeal of regular solar panels and the opacity of such, also imposes a great obstacle to the democratization of its usage.
Seenergy uses a technology called dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), colored solar cells, that mimics the process of photosynthesis in plants, where the green chlorophyl converts light into sugar for plants. Similarly, those coloured cells convert light into electricity.
Contrary to regular solar panels, the cells do not need direct incidence of sunlight, being so, the products can also be used indoors. This opens a new chapter, addressing the lack of indoor solutions that independently generate, store, and make use of renewable energy sources.
Seenergy combines art, sustainability, and technology to create indoor energy. The idea is to explore the “technology” and the “sustainability” but directing towards aesthetics as an alternative energy resource. This happens, as the solar cells open a wide range of design possibilities due to individual pattern and colour compositions on the foil.
The idea is to convert solar light into energy through design and architectural objects like tabletops, glass frames and decoration pieces with different possibilities for the application of integrated solar cells to increase their functionality and transform how they look, while being beautiful and well designed.
THis would also be achieved by adding a double function to objects with independent intelligent power sources that function normally as a piece of furniture or decoration, but also as a producer of electricity.
Dye sensitized solar cells
Sustainable design
Solar power integration
Clean energy
Innovative household products
The key objectives are to convert solar light into energy through designer and architectural objects through an increase in their functionality and a transformation of how their visual appeal, in order for the objects to be beautiful and well designed.
These objectives can be met by using materials that are renewable, recyclable, and non-toxic, and by integrating solar cells into the design to generate clean energy and reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption
An exemplary solar-powered furniture design would be one that is adding a double function to objects and independent intelligent power sources that function normally as a piece of furniture or decoration, but also as a producer of electricity. Additionally, it’s easy to install and is accessible to a wide range of users.
Overall, the concept is an excellent example of how sustainability and design can be integrated in a functional and aesthetically pleasing way, which can serve as an inspiration for other fields as well.
Unique characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells are their translucency, printability, a wide range of colours and the possibility of cells overlapping.
The solar cells open a wide range of design possibilities due to individual pattern and colour compositions on the foil. The best thing is, they even work indoors. So different colors have different efficiency, depending on their place on the color spectrum. So, for example, red is more efficient than blue.
The key objectives in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people are to enhance the overall visual appeal and functionality of the design, while also providing a positive emotional and cultural experience for users and also promoting sustainability. By adding an emotional value, we can feel more connected to the things around us.
The design should be visually pleasing with harmonious colors, clean lines and ergonomic and elegant shapes. When the technology becomes invisible it’s because design is working, and that’s what we seek through this project.
We believe in solar democracy: solar energy for everyone, everywhere.
This decentralized and sustainable solution not only has the obvious advantage of being environmentally-friendly, since the energy is FREELY harvested from other light sources, but it also addresses a key question that has never been the focus of current opaque solar systems - visual appeal and disruption of the surrounding environment.
With Seenergy, anyone can be part of the energy shift towards renewables, with accessible pricing options and easy-to-use features, while benefiting financially from the diminished electrical bill at the end of the month.
The cost of installation and maintenance is reduced, and the energy generated can be used to offset the cost of electricity, making it more accessible and affordable for all.
The decentralization and distributed model of energy generation allows for more inclusive and democratic decision-making in terms of energy production and distribution, and the concept aims to create a new societal model in which everyone has access to clean and renewable energy, and the financial benefits of solar energy are shared more equitably.
Additionally, inclusive governance systems and societal models should be implemented to ensure equal access and opportunities for all in the urban space for example and the universal design principles which take into account the needs of individuals with disabilities.
The way citizens benefit from the Seenergy concept is by having access to clean and renewable energy, which can help reduce their electricity costs and improve their overall quality of life and increased comfort.
Citizens who benefit from Seenergy include homeowners, businesses, and organizations that use the technology to generate electricity from sunlight. They may be involved in the concept by purchasing and using our furniture, and by providing feedback to manufacturers and researchers about their experiences with the technology.
The involvement of civil society in the development of Seenergy can have a positive impact on the technology by bringing diverse perspectives and concerns to the table, and by ensuring that the needs and interests of all stakeholders are considered in the development and implementation of the technology. This can lead to more responsible and sustainable production and use of our products, and can help to build public trust and acceptance of the technology.
Engaging different stakeholders at various levels during the design and development of a concept can bring a variety of benefits.
At the local level, local stakeholders such as residents, community organizations and local businesses can provide input and feedback on the design of our product and help to identify potential challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the concept.
Regional stakeholders, such as municipalities can provide insight into how the concept will impact the larger region and how it can be integrated with existing regional plans or initiatives.
National and European stakeholders can provide a broader and trans-national perspective on the concept and how it fits into the larger national context and with European policies and initiatives. They can also provide support and funding that is necessary for the development and implementation of the concept.
Overall, engaging stakeholders at various levels can help to understand the potential impact and to ensure that the concept is inclusive, responsive to the needs of the community, and sustainable in the long-term.
The design and development of this concept aimed to create a product that is not only functional and efficient, but also aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. This would likely involve input and collaboration from several different disciplines and knowledge fields.
Electrical engineers would be involved in the creation of the solar Dye Sensitized Solar Cells systems that convert solar energy into usable electrical energy for powering the furniture. They would also be involved in the design of the battery systems that store the energy for use when sunlight is not available.
Architects and industrial designers would be involved in the design integration of the solar panels and battery systems into the furniture itself, ensuring that it not only functions well as solar-powered furniture, but also looks attractive and is comfortable to use.
Environmental scientists and ecologists would be consulted to ensure that the furniture design is sustainable and has minimal environmental impact. They would also be involved in the assessment of the overall environmental impact of the furniture over its entire lifecycle, and in the evaluation of the environmental performance of materials used.
Marketing and business experts would be involved in the development of a business model and in the promotion of the product. They would work to identify the target market, assess the demand, and develop a pricing strategy that would make the product accessible to a wide range of users.
The added value of this process would be the ability to bring together experts from different fields who can provide a range of expertise and perspectives.
In resume, engineers would provide technical expertise in solar power and battery systems, architects in furniture design, environmental scientists, and ecologists expertise in sustainability, while marketing and business experts would provide expertise in market research, pricing strategy and promotion.
The technology to be used is a recent development that is yet to reach the industrial production stage. The concept fills the gap between the existing technology and the end-user, providing a customer-ready solution for the large-scale application of this product in furniture and daily household items.
Mainstream actions in the field of solar energy are primarily focused on the use of opaque solar panels, which are typically installed on rooftops or in large solar farms. These systems are designed to generate electricity, but they do not typically incorporate the use of transparent solar panels into the design of buildings and other structures.
Seenergy uses a dye to absorb sunlight and convert it into an electric current, while traditional silicon-based solar cells use silicon to absorb sunlight and convert it into an electric current. This difference means that Seenergy can be made using less expensive materials and can be manufactured at a lower cost than traditional solar cells. Additionally, it can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, which makes them more flexible in terms of how they can be used.
Seenergyalso shows high performance under low light conditions and also in indoor environments, making us a promising technology for indoor and portable applications.
Everything that the sun’s light goes through has potential to generate energy. Being so, Seenergy provides a customer-ready design solution for anyone that not only is looking for a signature design piece, but that is also looking for functionality, knowing that they are choosing an innovative and environmentally friendly product.
On the other hand, the Seenergy concept it’s possible to be replicated at a larger scale, aiming to be providers of architectural solutions by incorporating the transparent solar panels into building glass facades that can be used in a range of projects, in multi-purpose infrastructures, from collective housing to offices.
In addition, the same technology could be replicated in the public space by incorporating the transparent solar panels in the urban furniture such as benches or bus shelters.
Through innovative solar design, we can weave energy into buildings and objects to increase their functionality and transform how they look.
One of the global challenges that the concept addresses is the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The concept aims to generate clean and renewable energy using transparent solar panels, which can be integrated into buildings and other structures, such as urban furniture and daily household items, in a way that is visually pleasing and does not disrupt the surrounding environment.
Climate change can be addressed by providing local solutions such as solar-powered urban local furniture design. The use of solar power in furniture can reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy use within a specific community or public space. This approach addresses the global challenge of climate change by providing a solution that is both context-specific and effective, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Another global challenge that the concept addresses is the need for more inclusive and equitable access to energy. The concept of Synergy is designed to make solar energy accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This can help to ensure that the benefits of clean and renewable energy are shared more equitably among different communities.
