SET student wins award for sustainable solution
16 March 2010 by M&C TNW /SETMighael Vroom, a student in the Sustainable Energy Technology Master’s programme, recently won EUR 2500 for his entry in the ideas and design competition for a sustainable campus at TU Delft.
The competition took place in the context of the university’s plans for saving energy on campus, for using renewable energy, and for turning the campus into a ‘living lab’ where renewable energy technology can be tested and exhibited. Mighael’s suggestion was that magnetocaloric power generation be used on campus. This involves using residual heat (from the existing combined heat and power plant, for example) to heat a magnet, which then generates electricity.
Smart street lights
Chintan Shah and his team-mates came up with other ideas for a sustainable campus. They developed an intelligent street-lighting system, which consists of a sensor and a dimmer mounted on each individual street light and a central control mechanism. At night, when no-one is around, the street lights are dimmed, but they automatically switch to full brightness when a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist approaches. The installation of an intelligent street lighting system on campus would enable TU Delft to make savings of 30% to 50% on its energy bills.
Public prize
A special public prize was awarded to the team headed by student Philip Hoogreef. They designed a multifunctional building that was integrated into the mast of a wind turbine.
