Ecodesign and Renewable Energy: How to Integrate Renewable Energy Technologies into Consumer Products

Abstract

The amount of (consumer) products that consume electricity is still increasing rapidly. Emerging technologies in the field of renewable energy, such as small fuel cells, flexible photo-voltaic solar cells and human power are promising new solutions for sustainable energy sources. As renewable energy sources develop and become smaller and more flexible, possibilities of integrating them into the product design have emerged. However, until recently, renewable energy technologies have been more or less "pasted" upon the products instead of being integrated into the design of the product. It is a big challenge to find the appropriate products or functions for these new technologies and to integrate them into the total design of the product. One of the challenges will be to select those products where the renewable energy technologies can create an added value for the user and for sustainability goals. This is for example the utilization of a high energy density of fuel cells for portable products and the creation of independence of the electricity grid. The paper will present directions and design guidelines for the integration of renewable energy technologies into products