Jan Carel Diehl

This open access book addresses the issue of diffusing sustainable energy access inlow- and middle-income contexts. Access to energy is one of the greatest challenges for many people living in low-income and developing contexts, as around 1.4 billion people lack access to electricity. Distributed Renewable Energy systems (DRE) are considered a promising approachto address this challenge and provide energy access to all. However, even if promising,the implementation of DRE systems is not always straightforward. The book analyses, discusses and classifies the promising Sustainable Product-ServiceSystem (S. PSS) business models to deliver Distributed Renewable Energy systems in aneffective, efficient and sustainable way. Its message is supported with cases studies andexamples, discussing the economic, environmental and socioethical benefits as wellas its limitations and barriers to its implementation. An innovative design approach isproposed and a set of design tools are supplied, enabling readers to create and developSustainable Product-Service System (S. PSS) solutions to deliver Distributed RenewableEnergy systems. Practical applications of the book’s design approach and tools by companies andpractitioners are discussed and the book will be of interest to readers in design, industry,governmental institutions, NGOs as well as researchers.

This open access book addresses the issue of diffusing sustainable energy access inlow- and middle-income contexts. Access to energy is one of the greatest challenges for many people living in low-income and developing contexts, as around 1.4 billion people lack access to electricity. Distributed Renewable Energy systems (DRE) are considered a promising approachto address this challenge and provide energy access to all. However, even if promising,the implementation of DRE systems is not always straightforward. The book analyses, discusses and classifies the promising Sustainable Product-ServiceSystem (S. PSS) business models to deliver Distributed Renewable Energy systems in aneffective, efficient and sustainable way. Its message is supported with cases studies andexamples, discussing the economic, environmental and socioethical benefits as wellas its limitations and barriers to its implementation. An innovative design approach isproposed and a set of design tools are supplied, enabling readers to create and developSustainable Product-Service System (S. PSS) solutions to deliver Distributed RenewableEnergy systems. Practical applications of the book’s design approach and tools by companies andpractitioners are discussed and the book will be of interest to readers in design, industry,governmental institutions, NGOs as well as researchers.

The Power of Design offers an introduction and a practical guide to product innovation, integrating the key topics that are necessary for the design of sustainable and energy-efficient products using sustainable energy technologies. Product innovation in sustainable energy technologies is an interdisciplinary field. In response to its growing importance and the need for an integrated view on the development of solutions, this text addresses the functional principles of various energy technologies next to the latest design processes and innovation methods. From the perspective of product applications, the book provides clear explanations of technologies that are significant for product integration, such as batteries, photovoltaic solar energy, fuel cells, small wind turbines, human power, energy saving lighting, thermal energy technologies in buildings, and piezoelectric energy conversions. The design processes and innovation methods presented in this book include various approaches ranging from technical, societal and creative methods that can be applied in different stages of the design process. Other features include: a methodological approach, enabling readers to easily apply the theory to their research projects and to the actual design of sustainable products with energy technologiesdiscussion on interaction design and smart grid interventionscolour photographs that illustrate the final productsnumerous case studies of product development projects and concepts in practice, enabling readers to understand and design energy-efficient products in several different marketsa companion website containing useful information about the cases and an additional design cases with sustainable energy technologies The Power of Design provides a comprehensive and visually-appealing opening into the subject for third and fourth year students, postgraduates, and professionals in the areas of energy, environment, product design and engineering