Grachtstroom

Grachtstroom transforms the 15000+ iconic canal sloops to a decentral energy grid through solar boat covers and energizing mooring poles.

Long description

Amsterdam is full of water, and full of canal sloops. With an estimated 15000+ they define the cityscape. Grachtstroom turns these boats into energy generators for the city. We propose two ways of doing this. Zonnezeil is a boat cover with integrated solar panels and Scheepsvlotter is a mooring pole that converts the motion of an anchored boat into energy. The concepts have different purposes: they are a way for us to research the needs of all stakeholders involved (1); they are a way to promote sustainable energy through their iconic presence (2); they actually generate a substantial amount of energy (3).

1. The problem we are trying to solve is a wicked one. One that has many parties that are involved and influence the potential success of a solution. Through a process of (co-)creation and (co-)reflection we will learn what the needs and values of all relevant stakeholders are.
2.  Grachtstroom is a statement as much as it is a real product. We use the many canals and boats as a speculation to provoke the debate about decentralized energy provision in the city centre.
3. Our studio is housed at the canals of Rotterdam. In this place we can already start building prototypes and see how the ideas could work in real life.

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