Fiber-optic Solar Lighting Systems (Hybrid Solar Systems)

Team Exponent Venture-Lab, May 2012

Lighting24%

Space Heating14%

Space Cooling11%

Water Heating6%

Refrigeration6%

Ventilation6%

Electronics6%

Computers6%

Cooking2%

Other6%

Adjustment to SEDS13%

Commercial Energyend-use

How is light made?

Today

How is light made?

Tomorrow

Concept:Hybrid Lighting System

Bringing sun-light in the buildings with fiber-optics

• Energy efficiency (200 lumen/Watt) compared with incandescent (15 lm/W) or fluorescent (75 lm/W).

• Saving in lighting costs.

• Separation of light from heat providing options for heating or cooling as required.

• Versatile – Can be used in almost any lighting design.

Value Propositions

A sunny Area (e.g. Hawaii)

• 1 installation 8 hybrid lighting fixtures.• Maximum fiber optic length (in 2007) = 15 m.• Total illumination area = 1000 sq feet (93 m2)• Glass based HSL systems = 40000 Euros• For Plastic based HSL systems

• Payback period = 2-3 years. (In Netherlands this could be greater than 10 years)

Cost Element 2006 2007 2012System Cost 15000 Euros 12000 Euros 2200 Euros

Installation Cost

3000 Euros 2200 Euros 750 Euros

Projected figure

The numbers

• Parabolic mirror – 48 inch diameter (Estimated cost = 225 Euros) Manufacturer = Bennett Mirrors, NZ.

• Sun tracking control board with accuracy of tracking the sun of 0.1” accuracy powered with 12V/24V DC supply. Uses less than 2 W and can be run using PV.

Much of the research in this field has been carried out at the Oak Ridge national laboratory and might be suited to be a licensing partner for our future company.

Components

• The lighting system will have the ability to switch to a conventional energy source during the night time or when the day is cloudy.

• The mirrors used to concentrate light can be cooled using water or oil to strip away the IR component of the sunlight, thus letting in only the visible light component into the buildings. The hot water generated can also be used for different purposes.

• The light can be switched off or dimmed using opaque or translucent blocking shades

Features

• Discussions with 10 potential end-users, 1 technological and 1 industrial expert, as well as 2 potential clients

• The idea was selected to be implemented in the pilot Green Village Project in TU Delft which commences in early 2013: http://the-green-campus.com/wordpress/

The launch is going to be on 7th of June 2012. (http://the-green-campus.com/wordpress/archives/green-village-launch)

Testing Value Propositions

• The system has to have a clear economic benefit if it has to be adopted in a house-holds. Buildings that run predominantly during the day - such as universities and office buildings would derive the maximum benefit from this technology. Additionally, having sunlight inside buildings is likely to increase productivity in these places. So that is an additional benefit.

• It will be smart to integrate this system during the construction phase of the buildings. The installation of the system will be much simpler in that stage.

• There is a big potential in the growth of this kind of a system for photo-bioreactors. There is a lot of research currently underway (especially in US) for the improvement of algal productivity for the purpose of food and bio-fuels. Penetration of light into water containing algae is a huge problem in this industry.

Selected Customer Comments

Thank you!

Sharan NairIoana BourBram WeertsDerk Erbé