EDF has put up a video of the judging of the projects, the award presentation ceremony, the party, and some interviews of the teachers that shepherded their students through this competition. Here it is below and here’s a link to the EDF web site. Enjoy! We did. EDF DESIGN CHALLENGE The first edition finalists...
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We found this blog post by one of the judges for the EDF Sustainable Design Challenge: GreenMonk. The post not only gives a nice description of the competition, but it also links to our project! Thank you!
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It’s official: the D.R.I.P.S. project is one of the eight winners of the EDF Sustainable Design Challenge. We now have to work out more of the details of the project and test it out. We’ll putting up more updates as we go along on this blog. The final project will be featured in the...
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Here’s a Twitter feed from the EDF Design Challenge. The results of the July 12th jury will be announced there.
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We are trying to think out-the-box, or a cone, in our case. In a very interesting video, an engineering class proposed a dew harvester constructed from a metal mesh coated with a hydrophobic layer. This approach would increase the total surface area thereby increasing the average amount of dew that could be collected. Nick...
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We’re continuing the difficult task of researching the dew collection process. I’ll post a few links in our research section shortly. But the big news today is that we’re going to France to present our D.R.I.P.S. idea. We’ve been working on this for several years (since about 2008). EDF Sustainable Design Challenge gave us...
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EDF Evaluation Question: “Please describe shortly below how your project contributes to change energy together for better living (sustainable behavior).” Answer: I think the question is asking us to evaluate our project, Deep Root Irrigation and Precipitation System, in terms of its impact on the communities where it will be deployed. We believe there...
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Raw Materials is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Proximity, Recycled Origin, Renewable & Plentiful, and Limited Quantity. Proximity EDF Evaluation Matrix doesn’t provide a definition for this item. The D.R.I.P.S. will be manufactured in the proximity of where they will be deployed. Recycled Origin “ISO 14021 defines recycled content as...
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New Behavior/Scenario is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Information and Education, Shared Use, Relevant Lifetime, and Human Proximity. Information and Education “The product (or service) implements actions to preserve the environment and/or to reduce social inequalities in order to develop sustainable behaviors.”—EDF Evaluation Matrix D.R.I.P.S. project is designed...
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Governance is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Equity, Transparency, Open & Free, Context Accommodation, and Cooperation. Equity “The product (or service) generates, during some steps or its whole life cycle, positive interactions or benefits for the stakeholders.”—EDF Evaluation Matrix D.R.I.P.S. technology is intended to be sold and manufactured at...
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Delivery and Installation is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Pack and Logistics Optimization, Storage Time and Space Reduction, and Low Impact Installation. Pack and Logistics Optimization “Weight, volume, distance and means of transportation.” —EDF Evaluation Matrix We hope that the D.R.I.P.S. will be manufactured in the geographic proximity...
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Production is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Clean and Economical Technology and Production Management. Clean and Economical Technology “Regarding water, air and soil pollution emissions.” —EDF Evaluation Matrix A D.R.I.P.S. model produces no pollution whatsoever. Production Management “Environment management — ISO 14001. Reduction of the production cycle.”—EDF Evaluation Matrix...
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Product Service System is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Product Extension Service and Product Utility (or Function) Services. Product Extension Service “Offering additional services, mainly for the product being sold (e.g. maintenance, guarantee, and takeback).”—EDF Evaluation Matrix Not applicable to D.R.I.P.S. project. Product Utility (or Function) Services “The...
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End of Life deals with questions about Reuse, Repair, Recycle, and Economic Benefits. EDF provided a rubric to judge End of Life properties of our product—D.R.I.P.S. Reuse “The product or some components can be reused for the same and/or a new application.”—EDF Evaluation Tool The individual D.R.I.P.S. models can be moved around to different...
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Use is part of the EDF Evaluation Matrix for our design. It deals with Low Impact Maintenance, Use Savings, and Limited Nuisances. Low Impact Maintenance “Maintenance that doesn’t require tools and working force that could generate indirect impacts like high consumption of energy (due to electrical devices or transportation) or raw materials depletion (due...
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We’ve got an invitation to The Energy Lab — EDF’s new pavilion in France, featuring the winning designs from the EDF Sustainable Design Challenge....
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Our project and its video was just posted on The Water Channel! Here’s a description of what they do: TheWaterChannel was launched at the...
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So now we have three prototypes: two from India and one locally-produced. They are very different. But the latest version is what we are...
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We just got our first glimpse of DRIPS from India — these were produced in India and are being shipped to us now. Can’t...
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This year (2011), we are still focusing on food. We want to know the true cost of food — its price; the distance it...
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