Brief description
Self-sufficiency in agriculture - is it technically feasible? Economically feasible and sensible? And what opportunities and challenges does it present? Operating your own e-tractor with photovoltaics and finding the charging stations for this in the immediate vicinity of the work site. The forecasting tool is designed to support decision-making and application.
Initial situation & background
Agri-PV modules offer an innovative solution for the dual utilization of agricultural land by enabling both the cultivation of crops and the generation of solar power. Vertical modules are installed vertically on rows of posts, allowing agricultural work to continue between the rows. Especially in Lusatia, a region with a lot of agricultural land, agri-PV systems could make an important contribution to sustainable land use and the promotion of regional value creation and have now arrived in the minds of farmers as an income model. So why not also operate the energy-intensive processes of agricultural value creation with self-generated energy? This perspective should be opened up to farmers through competent forecasts.
Intended work content
- Integrate historical weather data (DWD)
- Collect real data (system data, orientation, location)
- Derive and store characteristic curves
- Generate forecast data
- Derive predictions for system performance according to work routines, preferably self-learning
- What solutions are already available? What could be adapted?
- Which charging systems are of interest here? (bidirectional?)
- Forecasting - develop a self-learning forecasting tool? (weather data, work routines)
- Consumption simulator (energy demand, work cycles - duration) -> to weigh up whether electric or diesel engine makes sense: for advice, to convince farmers
- Ratio of charging points to minimum consumed area for PV modules (charging interchangeable battery in parallel with processing)
- Complex model for evaluating different concepts with the aim of achieving the highest possible solar coverage rates (green-strip, roof or area PV; with/without storage;...)
Thoughts
- Changing energy demand (kwh/ha) depending on the typical vegetation work routine (e.g. mulch sowing, harrowing, fertilizing, harvesting, roundabout harrowing, etc.).
- E.g. high energy requirement, therefore: alternating battery? Where does the change take place (in the field or on the farm)
- Competition with agricultural use: source of income agri-PV, dual harvesting (equal to food supply)
- Increase biodiversity: hedges, flower strips for more biodiversity (is subsidized)
- Consideration of tire pressure
Practical application reference
In Reichenbach in Upper Lusatia, a YTO Yangdong (4-cylinder diesel engine) is currently being converted into an electric tractor. (see data sheet) This is due to make its first tour through Saxony and Brandenburg in autumn and will then be used on a 12ha organic farm in Melchow.
This prototype will also be produced in Lusatia in the future and used in small-scale (organic) farming. It will be charged by self-harvested solar energy from the neighboring fields or from the roof of the farm buildings.
Short description
Modifies an e-cargo bike so that it can be charged both with a permanently installed solar cell and from power grid.
Initial situation & background
Our organization uses an electric cargo bike from Bullitt for the weekly transport of regional fruit, vegetables and bulky goods. It is equipped with a commercially available battery, which is currently
charged from normal power grid. We want to make our mobility even greener and more independent in the future. To this end, the cargo bike is to be modified as part of the hackathon: A solar cell will
permanently charge the battery. We have prepared the design of most of the components. We'll see if we're right.
Task description
Modify the cargo bike so that it can be charged both with a permanently installed solar cell and from the power grid. Make sure that the parts are installed stably and that the construction can withstand vibrations and weather influences (at least IP 43).
1) Gain access to device data and check the design first.
2) Consider how the design can be realized. Procure any missing components.
3) Try to realise the following objective: The cargo bike is ready to ride and the transport box is watertight. The bike can be charged via a solar cell at least while stationary.
Challenges:
- Charging while driving may require hacking the battery management system (BMS).
- Consider what a mobile solution could look like that can be easily adapted for common
battery systems. Estimates the costs and defines potential savings. Carry out market
research and consider whether a development could offer economic potential.
Links:
cargo bike: www.bullitt-bike.de/steps-ebullitt-bike/steps-ebullitt-bike-6100-alfine-11-gang-di2.html
MPPT: www.amazon.de/dp/B0DG5KXVR2ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
DC/DC converter: www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-tr-smart
Brief description
Development of an intelligent, energy-efficient customer chatbot demonstrator that can communicate in different languages according to the requirements mentioned. The chatbot is to be created with the help of low-code tools.
Initial situation & background
The publication of ChatGPT has drawn attention to the possibilities of intelligent chatbots. As part of the Perspektive Arbeit Lausitz research project, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and Arnio are developing a local, easy-to-implement and efficient customer chatbot that understands and answers enquiries in different languages.
The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences has tested various low-code tools for the development of the chatbot framework as well as different language models. The requirements for the chatbot were developed together with Arnio.
Task description
Development of an intelligent, energy-efficient customer chatbot demonstrator (using Flowise) that can communicate in German, English, Czech and Polish in accordance with the above-mentioned requirements.
Chatbot should serve as a demonstrator that could theoretically be used as a customer chatbot at Arnio after further development:
Requirements:
Documents / help:
Brief description
The 'Youth Vision Action' project aims to promote, enable and implement youth participation in the creation of an attractive model region for sustainability in business, society and culture. The participation of young people in structural change is intended to develop prospects for staying and returning to the Lusatia and Euro-Neisse region and fulfill an identity-forming and integrative function.
Initial situation & background
Demographic challenges in the Lusatia region: reduction in the workforce and shortage of skilled workers, a lack of cross-border (career) prospects for young people, the continuing emigration of young people and little motivation to return, changing ideas of professional self-realization among the younger generation, hardly any participation by young people in socio-political life, a lack of community spirit/cohesion in society and a lack of basic education on political issues, etc.
What is already in place?
A three-year project with the annual Future Camp - Future Production - Future Festival format cycles (for a description of the formats, see yva.rocks/), a core group of around 30 people (pupils, students, artists, project team).
With what data?
Visions and guiding principles of young people
Task description
What could a youth-compliant digital solution for information, cooperation and participation of young people in the border triangle look like?
Challenge: trilingualism and spatial reference to the 'three-country region', adaptation to use by young people
links
Tips
There are already similar platforms from which you can get inspiration, but which are hardly used for various reasons How can it be better?
The area around the Heilige-Geist-Brücke bridge at the canteen offers great potential for improving the quality of the area and integrating aspects of climate, environmental and flood protection.
To this end, innovative ideas are being sought that address these aspects and develop implementation proposals. These should be developed in such a way that they can be transferred to other bodies of water in Poland and the Czech Republic (Neisse).
1st challenge
The Mandau is an important body of water that not only plays an important role in the natural ecosystem, but also serves as a recreational area for the region. In view of flood events, increasing urban development and the challenges of climate change, the utilization of the Mandau must be designed in such a way that both flood protection and the promotion of ecosystem services are ensured in the long term.
1. area under consideration
The area under consideration extends between the 'heiligen-Geist-Brücke' bridge and the 'Brücke-Südstraße' bridge.
2. objective
The aim of the hackathon is to develop innovative utilization concepts that enable young people, especially students, to interact with the Mandau in a sustainable and active way. These concepts should take into account both the ecological protection of the watercourse and the promotion of flood protection measures.
The focus should be on promoting the quality of stay and climate, environmental and flood protection.
3. evaluation and assistance
Creativity and innovation:
- Develops creative concepts that promote dialog between young people and nature (education and participation).
- Consider innovative approaches to combining flood protection with nature-based leisure and educational programs.
- Development of different stations along the Mandau (observation area), with different approaches: Quality of life, water retention, ...
- Also think about cooperation possibilities with local communities, companies or scientific institutions that could support the implementation of the concepts.
4. processing
The results should be presented graphically. Posters, maps or a digital visualization of the results can be used for this purpose.
Brief description
The potential for photovoltaic utilization is often limited in historic districts. In this example, the possibilities for homeowners are to be analyzed and an instrument developed that takes technical, legal and design aspects into account.
Initial situation & background
The city center of Zittau is protected as a listed building. Individual buildings are classified as individual monuments. This is associated with requirements that serve to preserve the cityscape. At the same time, the national climate protection goals must be realized. The aim is to develop a (digital) guide that enables private homeowners to determine the potential for photovoltaics on their own roofs and at the same time takes into account the criteria of monument protection.
It should be transferable to other historic cities. The differences between Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany in terms of monument protection would be interesting.
The energy transition requires the increased use of renewable energies, especially photovoltaic systems. However, listed buildings pose particular challenges, as the installation of photovoltaic systems is technically, aesthetically and legally complex.
Nevertheless, these roofs in particular often offer potential for generating energy and reducing CO2 emissions.
Task description
The area under consideration is the historic city center. Ideally, roof areas with different sky orientations should be considered.
The aim of the hackathon is to develop a practical guideline that takes into account the technical, legal and design aspects of installing photovoltaic systems on listed roofs. In addition, the teams are to estimate the solar potential of these roofs in order to demonstrate the economic and ecological relevance of the project. This can result in a digital version that gives roof owners the opportunity to assess the potential of their own roofs.
The SAENA's solar cadastre can be used to determine the potential.
Case study of the city of Constance:
www.konstanz.de/service/presse/pressemitteilungen/altstadt-solarkataster+presented
Brief description
Improve regional logistics, support producers, promote networking.
Utilization of existing platforms to integrate an easy-to-use logistics concept.
Initial situation & background
The Lusatia region and the district of Görlitz in particular are characterized by a large number of small businesses in the Saxon agricultural and food industry. Farms, manufactories, pond farms and many more - they produce high-quality food and are important for regional value creation and a positive and constructive local identity(ies) in the natural and cultural landscape of Lusatia.
Direct marketing from the farm, village stores and markets are just as important for the sale of these goods as digital platforms through which producers and interested parties can make contact online. As an open source platform, the Open Food Network connects all stakeholders in a low-threshold manner. The 'Sohlandkorb' is the first food hub (since 2018) in the district of Görlitz. The participating producers have also made their data available in the network. We would like to derive a task from this constellation that will help us to jointly improve regional logistics, network producers and improve communication and networking overall.
Task description
How can producers' delivery journeys be made visible and how can synergies be developed from them? As part of the hackathon, the data from the Open Food Network (OFN) in the district of Görlitz will be analyzed. Potential expansion of the use of the OFN across national borders is under discussion and should be pursued.
- Who produces which goods and delivers them when and in what quantities to which locations?
- Who orders goods from a food hub in a particular region and could possibly transport goods as a 'prosumer'? How do you use existing carpooling options?
- Addresses from an order cycle are available. A logarithm can be used to analyze which routes make sense
- Idea approach: Export all delivery addresses, use data list for a carpool (fictitious data if necessary)
This example envisages the creation of a web application or app (add-on application for openfoodnetwork.de) as a task: the following criteria should be taken into account: Type of products, quantities, locations, time, confirmation of journeys, cycle, possibly also storage requirements (such as refrigeration)
Via programming interface API (General Programming Interface)
Pundmann, previously known in the camper industry as a heating and water specialist, is currently developing the first product to improve air quality in small rooms.
The problem
Many motorhome owners and vanlifers have to struggle with moisture in the vehicle. In most cases, there is too little ventilation because you forget it, you can't leave the windows open while you're away, but also because the gas consumption for heating is significantly higher when there is a permanent exchange of air. However, this would be desirable, not only during the stay in the vehicle, but also if, for example, it is in winter storage or is not used for a longer period of time. The air exchange then prevents the musty smell in the interior.
The Solution
Based on a counterflow heat exchanger, we are currently making adjustments to offer a device that is as compact as possible, with a footprint no larger than DIN A4, for installation in the camper.
A counterflow heat exchanger is a device that directs fresh outside air and warm exhaust air past each other in opposite directions. The exhaust air transfers its heat very efficiently to the cool fresh air without the air currents mixing.
The technology makes permanent air exchange possible, with a heat recovery rate of up to 90%.