CONTENTS
BACKGROUND
WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Sustainability is the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources for the future.
The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN?
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance.
Sustainable design principles include the ability to:
- optimize site potential;
- minimize non-renewable energy consumption;
- use environmentally preferable products;
- protect and conserve water;
- enhance indoor environmental quality; and
- optimize operational and maintenance practices.
OUR PROBLEM
In recent years, the student body at UIC has increased, according to UIC Today,
The University of Illinois Chicago has set a record for the largest enrollment in its history for the seventh consecutive year. Enrollment increased at UIC by 2% this fall to 34,199 from last year’s record of 33,518.
However, the areas to hang out or sit in campus have not been adjusted to this change. Ultimately, students end up driving or using public transportation to go home or other places that offer internet and seating areas. This creates several problems:
- Students waste time finding a place to settle down for rest, studying, eating, etc.
- A lot of energy are unnecessarily wasted, contributing to air pollution.
PRODUCT INFO
DEMONSTRATIONS
WHAT IS IT?
The Solar Charging Station is meant to be a place for students to hang out, rest, eat, or study on campus while also being able to charge their electronics.
HOW IT WORKS
The Station provides clean electricity using a solar panel and also reduces the use of fuel in cars and public transportation. The Station has a linear actuator attached to the solar panel that increases the energy input by tracking the sun in a defined time period to get the most amount of sunlight possible.
PRODUCT ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
PROS
- Solar energy used does not produce greenhouse gasses, reduces and replaces usage of other energy sources that have negative effects on the environment.
- Solar energy used contributes minimal negative impact on natural ecosystem around campus.
- Theoretically, panels can produce emission-free energy for 25+ years. This reduces waste.
- Product allows energy in convenient areas on campus, which can prevent individuals from going to other areas on campus or outside campus (via transportation by car, bus, etc.). Provides individuals places to work while receiving energy to charge their devices, at the same time reduces possible air pollution.
CONS
- In order to manufacture solar-grade silicon (processed Quartz), the process typically involves hazardous chemicals. The disposal of these chemicals may or may not be disposed properly.
- The solar panels in our product will break and deteriorate over time. If these panels are no longer of value, we take into consideration a recycling process. These panels will eventually need to be replaced, and if they are implemented more into the future, it can create potential issues and risks in recycling.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
The solar panel system is designed to power campers or off-grid tiny homes. It is a 100W and 100Ah (Ampere hour) solar panel. That is connected to a 1500W AC to DC inverter to be able to use the 12V batteries to power electronics. The battery stores 100Ah.
If the panel receives 8 hours of sunlight in a day, it will produce 83.33Ah that will be stored in the battery. To fully charge a smartphone it takes about 1-2Ah and for a computer/tablet 2-5Ah. This means that about 11 people can fully charge their phone and computer/tablet with 6.33Ah reserved.
PROS
- There is less of a possibility of any outages due to the capacity of the battery and automatic recharge
More energy from sunlight strikes Earth in 1 hour than all of the energy consumed by humans in an entire year
ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS
ESTIMATED COST: ~$3700
- Round picnic tables: $1500-$1600
- Solar panel system that includes panel, batteries, converter: $1699
- Linear Actuator: $35.59
- Metal sheet box to have outlets, batteries and converter: $61.16 x2
- Outlet + outlet wall cover: $70.98 6pcs
PROS
- Reduces electricity cost
- Low maintenance costs
- Extra or excess energy can be sold
CONS
- The initial cost would be a significant investment.
CONSTRAINTS & BOTTLENECKS
- FUNDING Given the current circumstances, it is unlikely that the university will fund this project right now.
- WEATHER Snow and wind may damage the panel faster than its natural deterioration. A protective metal cage can be added around the panel but it would increase the total cost of the project. The days where it's cloudy or rainy the efficiency of the solar panels decreases
- QUARTZ PROCESSING Solar energy products, such as panels, require the materials glass and metal. Quartz is processed into silicon, and aluminum, copper, and silver are the metals mined for the product. These materials require a great deal of energy to create, for example, the mining of metals, the manufacturing and then transportation of the materials.
MARKET ANALYSIS
CURRENT SIMILAR DESIGNS
1. SELS Solar Panel Picnic Table
2. Sunbolt Solar Workstations
3. Radioddity Portable Solar Panel Foldable Table
4. Chair-Pak Solar Charger
OVERALL: Current products analyzed (below), as well as our personal product, are great in public outdoor areas with groups of people. They can be implemented on campuses, parks, outside of shops/malls , restaurants , stadiums, trails, and outdoor working spaces.
1. SELS SOLAR PANEL PICNIC TABLE
- DESIGN Large picnic table with solar panels present on the top, in the middle of the table. Contains a charging station for mobile devices.
- VALUE Requires quote, estimate $3,100 - $3,800.
- MARKET ANALYSIS Not popular on the market yet, however they’re gradually being implemented. Analyzed products require special/custom purchases. There are smaller/more personal alternatives to these products, such as product #3 and #4 (below).
2. SUNBOLT SOLAR WORKSTATIONS
- DESIGN Large table with benches, and solar panels attached to a pole in the middle. Panels are used almost like a sun umbrella, which prevents people on the bench from getting hit by any sunlight. Contains a charging station for mobile devices.
- VALUE Requires quote, estimate $3,200 - $4,100 (different models of the same product)
- MARKET ANALYSIS Not popular on the market yet, however they’re gradually being implemented. Analyzed products require special/custom purchases. There are smaller/more personal alternatives to these products, such as product #3 and #4 (below).
3. RADIODDITY PORTABLE SOLAR PANEL FOLDABLE TABLE
- Solar charging small portable desk
- Smaller, more personal alternative to Product 2.
4. CHAIR-PAK SOLAR CHARGER
- Solar charging backpack that transform into a chair for the individual.
- Smaller, more personal alternative to Product 2.
REFERENCES
1. BACKGROUND
- https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-excellence-program/design-excellence-program-overview/sustainability/sustainable-design
- https://oir.uic.edu/data/student-data/data-book-dashboards-2/
- https://today.uic.edu/uic-sets-enrollment-record-for-the-7th-year-in-a-row/
2. PRODUCT INFO
- https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php#:~:text=Solar%20energy%20technologies%20and%20power,larger%20effects%20on%20the%20environment
- https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php#:~:text=Solar%20energy%20technologies%20and%20power,larger%20effects%20on%20the%20environment
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8821954/;jsessionid=RYOafSZtwZtUp4famF259sZkhyB3VtU1pVsloJELHl65qu4wBzY-!-2139438792
- https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1137014
- https://www.paradisesolarenergy.com/blog/how-long-do-solar-batteries-last#:~:text=Most%20solar%20batteries%20on%20the,25%20to%2030%2B%20year%20lifespan.
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/sunshot-2030
- https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1137014
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032110004016
- https://www.schooloutlet.com/46_ADA_3_Seat_Round_Outdoor_Picnic_Table_358H_RDV_p/pla-358h-rdv.htm
- https://www.schooloutlet.com/46_Round_Outdoor_Picnic_Table_358_RDV_p/pla-358-rdv.htm
- https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-vanlife-rv-trailer-truck-12v-100ah-off-grid-solar-power-system/
- https://www.ebay.com/itm/183861496638?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111451%26meid%3D4d9fce23e80541c7ba9c3221fdbdf5ef%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D264377145113%26itm%3D183861496638%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bAndUBSourceDemotionWithUltimatelyBoughtOfCoviewV1&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A1838614966384d9fce23e80541c7ba9c3221fdbdf5ef%7Cenc%3AAQAHAAABMIep8YrnpoI5Ip1Fr26ya5Zdwg2V78Yl01uYLsdPZcFTvxKxDts2M2LiSIpUM3yyPCg4I%252FI%252F%252BBr%252B3lbC%252BxYqInYGBmzIxc4EMw3YF0EDxTKywyFyS0Y2w1hsHQI5zh4bjmaj%252FlOGBg86N6rPCI2dSqRA0TLurjxxlAfPa8ydfCyFL%252FJro93UauEaCMN58uEdnCeHw2NH17mUBh8atq83GxUjdG5m5GPh3KJWoWrOGyuII5NoVTv4H1zSq%252Bwb9pxXPQlrsp2gSZWGdxY3OKS0tnKCKpLF9LhEKxr09ubQ1xwe0LWRiSXP7%252F90rAETSXXvTdKkBXlqIbdjcTJ6WBJw%252BNS67uyhuQMRBE0k1kK%252Fy4sAtPZX0xoe66P6VL%252F5YdGRz2GdG3DUkxgqZmUe%252BHlWQZI%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675
- https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-sheet
- https://www.homedepot.com/p/ELEGRP-4-2-Amp-Type-A-Type-C-USB-Charger-Wall-Outlet-20-Amp-Duplex-Tamper-Resistant-Outlet-with-Wall-Plate-White-6-Pack-ER16242AC-0106S/321904794
CONTACT
- HUYEN NGUYEN Email: lnguy6@uic.edu | LinkedIn
- MONSE REYNOSO Email: mreyn6@uic.edu | LinkedIn
- JENNIFER LOPEZ Email: jlope236@uic.edu | LinkedIn
- MONICA HUIZAR Email: mhuiz3@uic.edu | LinkedIn
- UIC College of Engineering
- UIC Department of Chemical Engineering
SPECIAL THANKS
This is a final project for Fall 2023 - CHE 201 course, at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
Our group would like to thank our instructor, Dr. Betul Bilgin, for her support and guidance throughout this project.
Credits:
Created with images by anncapictures - "nature earth sustainability" • anncapictures - "earth sprout leaf" • surotez9 - "concept question mark abstract" • AndreasAux - "environmental protection natural reserve ecology" • ckstockphoto - "algae bloom algae farm background" • nattanan23 - "money home coin" • 422737 - "bottle bottle opening bottleneck" • Myriams-Fotos - "sparkler lightbulb spray candle"