Innovative sustainable products

- Rob Smith is principal architect at CMBA | Smith Metzger

The REALLY BIG movement for sustainable design started in the early 2000s. Innovation, however, was mostly about reinventing existing products into more sustainable products. 

Now, many years later, innovation is more holistic. How can basic paradigms be shifted to solve an issue in a totally new way? Here are four products that create a new solution.

1. PERSONAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM (PCS)
   
   Mechanical systems typically maintain the temperature between 72 and 75 degrees. A narrow band of temperatures means the system cycles on and off. What if the band could be increased between 68 and 77 degrees?
   
   The Hyperchair allows individuals to control heating and cooling right at their seat. A lithium battery charges off-hours and is good for two days of operation. Studies show a one-degree increase in the temperature band can save 5 to 15 percent in energy.
   
   
2. SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE
   
   An issue with residential solar energy has been what to do with excess generation during the day.
   
   Elon Musk is leveraging new battery technology to store excess generation of solar energy. PowerWall efficiently stores electricity for use during hours of non-sunshine.
   
   
3. VENTLESS DRYERS
   Gas or electric dryers heat air to high temperatures and then exhaust all that heat.
   
   Whirlpool has invented a dryer using heat pump technology that recirculates hot air while removing moisture from clothes. As a result, no venting is required.
   
   
4. POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE)
   
   LED lighting is efficient and long-lasting but requires a transformer that reduces 110 volts to 24 volts. The transformer makes the LED fixture not as efficient.
   
   POE uses computers to provide low-voltage power to LED fixtures without a transformer. The wiring is a simple Ethernet cable anyone can install.