Power Electronics / Power Management


UCT team to build solar powered house

10 October 2018 Power Electronics / Power Management

Solar Decathlon challenges teams to design and build a ‘green’ house of between 55 and 110 square metres, powered by only solar energy and equipped with technically advanced building and energy technologies. This should be done using local ingenuity, craftsmanship and materials.

UCT senior lecturers Mike Louw and Kevin Fellingham (School of Architecture, Planning & Geomatics), and Dr Dyllon Randall (Department of Civil Engineering), have been brought on board Team Mahali – based at Stellenbosch University’s Sustainability Institute – for their design skills and knowledge of innovative waste-water systems, respectively.

Louw commented: “Part of the design theme is inspired by the central place of the tree in African culture: a place of meeting, education and important community decision-making. The house has been designed for conditions in Morocco but also for other African contexts.”

Locally available and recycled materials have been used as far as possible.

The latter area of the structure is being led by former and current students in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment – Gordon Rae, Muven Naidoo and Elouise Pretorius, with input from Randall.

Rae, Naidoo and Pretorius are implementing a wide range of sustainable water practice and technology into the house, ranging from composting toilets and grey-water systems to advanced water management and monitoring, as well as rainwater harvesting.

The house will be built in Stellenbosch, then dismantled and shipped to Morocco for reassembly on the test sites in Mohammed VI Green City in Benguerir. During the final phase of the competition, the house will be open to the public.

“We’re merging very high-tech digital design manufacturing with traditional crafting in the making of an identity for the house,” Louw explained. The design phase of the project is due mid-November, after which the team moves on to completing construction documentation.

Although Team Mahali has $50 000 (just over R700 000) in seed funding from the Moroccan government, they still need to raise R3 million and are looking for funders and donations of furniture and energy-efficient household appliances from retailers.

This project is investigating the potential for upskilling and job creation on the building side, using people outside academia. For example, local craftswomen will be employed to supply a large proportion of the building’s components. Two members of Team Mahali recently cycled 1000 km across Morocco to raise funds. They have also launched a crowd-funding campaign.

For more information contact Aamirah Sonday, University of Cape Town, +27 21 650 5427, [email protected], www.uct.ac.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Powering Innovation eBook: Changing what’s possible
Power Electronics / Power Management
This exclusive read, entitled ‘Changing what’s Possible,’ delves into how power dense Vicor modules enable many world-changing innovations across various sectors.

Read more...
16-channel multicell battery monitor
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The ADBMS6830B is a multicell battery stack monitor that measures up to 16 series-connected battery cells with a lifetime total measurement error of less than 2 mV.

Read more...
Reliable redundancy with the Mibbo M3DN Series
Conical Technologies Power Electronics / Power Management
Designed for use with two parallel-connected power supplies, the M3DN Series allows for true redundancy, making it ideal for mission-critical applications.

Read more...
Automotive power-over-coax inductor
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK has launched the ADL8030VA, a high-performance inductor designed specifically for power-over-coaxial applications.

Read more...
Rugged PSU for challenging conditions
Conical Technologies Power Electronics / Power Management
Built for rugged reliability, the Mibbo MFC Series delivers stable, efficient power in environments where moisture, dust, and temperature extremes are everyday challenges.

Read more...
Enhance SiC device efficiency using merged-pin Schottky diodes
NuVision Electronics Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Silicon carbide (SiC) has advantages over silicon (Si) that make it particularly suitable for Schottky diodes in applications such as fast battery chargers, photovoltaic (PV) battery converters, and traction inverters.

Read more...
15 W power module with wide input range
Brabek Power Electronics / Power Management
RECOM’s miniature power modules provide 15 W output and operate over a wide input range of 18-264 V AC or 18-375 V DC.

Read more...
Industrial-grade DIN rail PSU
Conical Technologies Power Electronics / Power Management
The Mibbo MTR960W is a reliable and cost-effective PSU option that delivers a solid 960 W of output power at 24?or 48 V DC.

Read more...
Energy harvesting and Matter for smarter homes
RF Design Power Electronics / Power Management
Qorvo’s collaboration with e-peas on the Matter Enabled Light Switch marks another significant step in advancing Matter adoption across the IoT industry.

Read more...
3-terminal filters for automotive applications
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK has expanded its YFF series of 3-terminal filters for automotive applications to include higher voltages up to 35 V and higher capacitances up to 4,7 µF.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved