Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Design - Coursework Example

Eco House Ussman Anwar (09640) Bsc Electrical and Electronic Engineering According to Jason, Ian, Amy, Peter, Armitage, Martin and Daniel intheir publication United housing energy fact file 2013, they analyze the statistics of domestic power consumption in the United Kingdom and show that every single person in the country consumes about 3080 KWh of electricity every year. Couples who work during the day and retire home in the evening are estimated to consume about 4120 KWh of electricity every year while an average family uses up to 5500KWh of electricity every year. The amount of power consumed is quite high and as a result, many residents incur very high electric bills each month. Mostly, domestic power is consumed through activities such as internal heating, use of electrical appliances, lighting and water heating. The payment of bills may not strain the high income earning households but on the other hand, low income households are forced to spend a greater amount of their salaries and income in covering the bills. Most of them opt to poor heating or no heating at all to minimize the cost incurred in power bills. Addressing this problem will help to lower the gap between these two levels of social households in the UK society (Jason et al, 2013). A solution to this problem will help to eliminate this recurrent problem of financial constraint among these low income households which bars them from upgrading their standard of living. This can positively impact the national economy and improve the health of these families. It is also worth noting that electricity use in the houses accounts for the highest emission of carbon (iv) oxide to the atmosphere and this leads to environmental pollution and hence impacts negatively to the health of the inhabitants. According to Jason et al, 2013, the number of households is increasing at a rate of 0.86% and this is likely to cause a higher demand for power. In this research we are going to analyze this problem and look at all available solution to solving this problem and propose the best method among them. Figure 1: Domestic power consumption in the UK 1970-2012(source: www.gov.uk) Table of contents 1. Aim………………………………………………………………………..3 2. Objectives………………………………………………………………….3 3. Discussion…………………………………………………………………..5 i. Innovation tools………………………………………………………. a) Brainstorming……………………………………………………............ b) Use of application tools………………………………………………….. c) Pareto principle…………………………………………………………… d) SCAMPER………………………………………………………………… e) Benchmarking……………………………………………………………….. ii. Critical evaluation………………………………………………………. a) Brainstorming……………………………………………………………………. b) SCAMPER ………………………………………………………………….. c) Application tools ……………………………………………………………… 4. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..10 5. References…………………………………………………………………...11 Goal My research aims to do a comprehensive research that will help me come up with a technical report that demonstrates the use of innovation tools to solve technical problems. Objectives To achieve my goal, I must meet the following objectives: 1. Identify a problem with an existing product that can be solved using an innovative and environmentally friendly approach. 2. Explore various ways of solving the identified problem and critically analyze the identified approaches. 3. Identify the most appropriate solution to my problem and justify its appropriateness. Discussion We need to solve the problem experienced of high domestic power consumption and come up with a solution that is both affordable to the low income households and also eco friendly. A solution to this problem is expected to boost the countries growth of business activities and a major boost would be experienced in the competitiveness within the business sector. Improved thermal efficiency is known to lead to increased indoor temperatures and it impacts positively on the health and the general well being of the inhabitants of that house. To solve this problem, we are going to explore all the available measures that can be taken and applied to curb and make sure that the excess expenses incurred in paying bills for domestic power are cut down, the under heating experienced among the poor households is solve and the gap between the low income earners and the high earners is cut down. Some of these measures include: a) Improvement of the efficiency of the electrical appliances used in the houses: The electrical appliances used domestically include: fridges, lighting bulbs, freezers, heaters, fans, television sets, DVD players and many others. However, the role of improving their efficiency lies with the manufacturer and this may greatly reduce the power consumed by these appliances. This improves their efficiency to a certain degree thus reducing the amount of power consumed. Statistics from the government records show that the improvement of freezers and lighting bulbs between the years 1995 and 2000 lowered the amount of energy consumed in the house. b) Improving the energy efficiency of buildings through insulation and by creating more efficient heating systems which will be able to incorporate passive solar design concepts into the house. This calls for one to fit in energy efficient windows and doors that allow proper insulation in the house. This can also be achieved by closing most of the ventilation holes and fitting in solar isothermal water heating. An alternative way to solve this problem would involve designing high performance windows, screens and films to which prevent direct exposure to sun rays. c) One can also opt to have an internal cooling system but this approach turns out to be more expensive as it requires that one changes the ACs every month. The inhabitants of the house would also have to keep the interior doors open so that cool air flows freely. Any unwanted vents in the building would also have to be closed. d) Eco-housing: These are homes designed and constructed for residential purposes but in accordance with the principles stipulated in the green construction. Such a home ensures that environmental pollution is minimized, the amount of waste released to the environment is reduced and the health of the inhabitants is improved. These houses are usually constructed from recycled materials that are cheap and readily available. They also make use of vegetation to reduce pollution and in order to increase the efficiency of the energy used in the house, they make use of renewable sources of energy. Innovation tools Innovation generally refers to the process of applying technologies in a new and different ways to solve problems that are associated with a particular identified problem need. In this case, a number of applicable innovation tools were used including: brainstorming, use of application tools, use of the Pareto principle and bench marking. 1. Brainstorming This refers to the process where people come together for the sole purpose of generating ideas. These ideas when compiled and put together could lead to problem solving. According to Osborn (1963), there are guidelines that must be followed while brainstorming on a problem and they include refraining from making any judgments, keeping a record of all ideas and finally building on all the suggested ideas. It is through brainstorming that a number of ideas are quickly generated and these may offer possible solutions to the issue that is being discussed. 2. Use of application tools These come in handy to support creative thinking. They normally allow the existing ideas to be highlighted while at the same time maintaining the feasibility of the innovation. The application tools that will be used in our case will be focused on provision of different possibilities that need to be explored. In this case, a decision matrix will be applied to measure the suitability of each creativity tool. 3. Pareto principle. This principle is also referred to as an 80:20 rule. It is normally a simple histogram style graph that ranks problems in order of magnitude to determine the priorities for improvement activities. According to Parnell et al. (2008), the rule is applicable in a wide range of fields ranging from economics to management. By focusing on 20% of the available technology of the possible solutions to the problem of power consumption, it is predicted that it is possible to reduce the complexity of this challenge and come up with proper solutions. 4. SCAMPER This innovation tool is normally used to identify areas that can be changed on an existing innovation in order to create a new one. According to Eberle (1996), there are six questions that need to be asked to identify the potential areas for improvement. The questions asked regarding the existing technology can be substituted; combined; adapted; modified;put to another use or eliminated. This method shows a great degree of simplicity. 5. Benchmarking This is a process that is normally undertaken to measure a set of characteristics against another and therefore explore possible areas that need to be improved. Codling (1996). This provides an opportunity for the power consumption domestically to be analyzed and compared so as to provide areas that need to be improved and modified in an efficient and cost effective manner. This method is however limited to the products that have already been developed to minimize the cost of power. Critical evaluation 1. Brainstorming A brainstorming was carried out in a group of three students. Ideas were brought together and it was thought that incorporating someone with a deeper understanding of engineering would help come up with more innovative ideas. The brainstorming exercise was generally aimed at identifying technologies that could be used to reduce power consumption domestically. However, this did not produce the expected results and most of the ideas were based on improving the efficiency of the appliances used in the house, improving the energy efficiency of buildings by insulation and having internal cooling systems. However, Eco-housing was also suggested and this provided a better alternative for solving the current problem. Figure 2: results from brainstorming 2. SCAMPER After identifying Eco-housing as a possible solution to the current problem, SCAMPER was applied to find a solution by use of the six questions identified above and the results were recorded in the table below. Question Answer Substitute Can the components be substituted or the product used in another application? It can only be used for residential buildings Combine Can the product be integrated? Can be used with other applications such as solar panels. Adapt Can another product be used in place of the current product? The current product cannot be adapted. Modify Can the shape and size of the current product be modified? The shape and size can be modified to fit the needs of the inhabitants. Put to another use Can the product be used in another industry? The product can only be used for residential purposes. Eliminate Can the current product be simplified and streamlined? The product can be simplified and made more efficient. 3. Application tools After identifying various solutions to our problem, we must make a decision on the best way to solve this problem. For us to be in a position to make a proper and informed decision on the best way to minimize domestic power consumption, we are going to use a decision matrix that will help us evaluate the suitability of each approach using different criterion and thus select the most efficient solution taking into account the science of innovation in solving environmental problems at the same time not affecting the health of the inhabitants. Using a decision criteria of High=3, medium=2 and low=1 and a weighted points for each criteria such that Carbon (iv) oxide emission=5 points, Cost of installation and maintenance=3 points, Waste to the environment=2 points, House energy use=1point. The value of the weighted points assigned to each criterion depends on its level of importance. Below is an analysis of the five identified approaches. Figure 2: decision matrix analysis Approach criteria Carbon(iv)oxide emission 5 Cost of installation and maintenance 3 Waste to the environment 2 House energy use 1 Total score Improving the efficiency of the appliances used in the house. Low –There is no guarantee that purchasing such appliances will result in Co2 emission reduction =1 1x5=5 High-There is a cost of new appliances that could be costly and also maintaining them=3 3x3=9 High –Some appliances like energy saving bulbs contain harmful elements when released to the environment=1 1x2=2 Medium- there is a significant reduction in the energy consumed in the house.=2 2x1=1 17 Improving the energy efficiency of buildings by insulation Low-There is no direct link between insulation and CO2 emission=1 1x5=5 High-The cost of insulation is quite high=3 3x3=9 Medium- There is wastage of some inorganic materials=2 2x2=4 Medium- insulation reduces energy used=2 2x1=2 20 Have internal cooling systems Medium- Internal cooling systems only reduce the emission of the CO2 by a small margin=2 2x5=10 High- The cost of buying and maintaining cooling systems is quite high=3 3x3=9 Medium- Internal cooling system emits some gases=2 2x1=2 Medium-energy is saved to a certain degree=2 2x1=2 23 Eco-housing High- The use of vegetation and renewable sources of energy results in high reduction in Carbon(iv)oxide=3 3x5=15 Low-The installation uses recycled materials which are readily available=1 1x3=3 High-The wastage is minimal=3 3x2=6 High-renewable energy sources reduce energy usage by a large margin=3 3x1=3 27 From the results obtained from the decision matrix above, each criterion criteria has its final tally of net weighted points as shown in the below: 1) Improving the efficiency of the appliances used in the house.=17 2) Improving the energy efficiency of buildings by insulation=20 3) Installation of internal cooling systems=23 4) Eco-housing=27 From the results, eco housing approach accumulates the highest number of net weighted points and we can therefore conclude that it is the best approach to solve the problem of domestic power usage. It has a number of advantages over the rest which include: 1. Its green design principles ensure that it remains friendly to the environment thus minimizing the amount of carbon (iv) oxide emitted to the environment. 2. It makes use of renewable sources of energy which ensure that minimal energy is consumed therefore effectively allowing us to achieve our requirement for an innovative eco-friendly solution to our problem. 3. It also gives an innovative approach using the locally available resources and providing an affordable solution to all households. Case study To support this recommendation, we shall look at a typical eco house constructed by And Brown and Ro Randal of 2 - Gwydir Street, CB1 2LG in the United Kingdom. In their design, they created solid walls which were insulated with 100mm of polyurethane, windows were then replaced with triple glazed units and high performance front doors were fitted in. Insulation was increased using extra 100mm polyurethane materials; solar thermal heated water system was added to the houses to cater for the heating of the house water. In order to keep the house warm in all seasons, a small wood burning stove was used to keep the house comfortable for the inhabitants and this ensured that no additional heating was required. After evaluating the effectiveness of the eco house, they found out that the total cost of building the eco house was 35,000 pounds, the house energy use reduced by a margin of 60% and the carbon (iv) Oxide emissions reduced by 60%. These findings are in line with the intention of eco houses to reduce the energy usage in the house and provide a sustainable eco-friendly environment fit for human health. Figure 3: Eco-house by And Brown and Ro Randal Conclusion From the discussions, we can conclude that the eco house is the best approach to solving energy problems experienced in domestic use. For average families of up to four members, an eco house that makes use of solar power and has vegetation around it would be the most appropriate method of cutting down the bills incurred from high power charges, solving health related problems and creating a friendly environment that is habitable and pollution free. This reduction in the expenses will result in an improved standard of living among the low income households and will result in an improved economy in the country. This is synonymous with the aim of the United Kingdom government in its project to achieve a Green country by the year 2015. This project aims to reduce the UK green house gases emission by over 60%, secure its national energy supply and address all the factors that lead to fuel poverty in the country. It is recommended that policies be put in place to aid the low income families raise capital to construct eco houses and this can be achieved through community participation, government support and soft loans from financial institutions and the stakeholders in the energy sector. More efforts should be directs towards research of ways in which the amount of amount of carbon (iv) oxide can be reduced by over 60% to almost negligible amounts. This will create a healthy environment suitable for productive economic production and reduced poverty levels in the country. References http://www.ecosystemhomes.com.au/[ 9th may 2014 ] http://energymadeeasy.gov.au/bill-benchmark/results/3660/4/[9th may 2014] http://www.ecobob.co.nz/EcoHelp/What-is-an-eco-house.aspx/[9th may 2014] http://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/how-many-kwh-can-average-home-produce-annum/[accesesd 9th may 2014] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-eco-homes.html/[ accessed 9th may 2014 ] http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ReduceEnergy.html/[ accessed 9th may 2014 ] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/65954/chapter_3_domestic_factsheet.pdf/[ accessed 9th may 2014 ] http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/reducing-your-electricity-use/[ accessed 9th may 2014] http://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Gwydir-Street-CB1-2LG.pdf/[ accessed 9th may 2014 ] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278809/10043_R66141HouseholdElectricitySurveyFinalReportissue4.pdf/[ accessed 9th may 2014 ] Read More