Brief description
Self-sufficiency in agriculture - is it technically feasible? Economically feasible and sensible? And what opportunities and challenges does this present? Operating your own e-tractor with photovoltaics and finding the charging stations for this in the immediate vicinity of the working site. The forecasting tool is intended to support decision-making and application.
Initial situation & background
Agri-PV modules offer an innovative solution for the dual use 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
Thoughts
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 the fall 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.
Brief description
Converts an electric cargo bike so that it can be charged both with a permanently installed solar cell and from the power grid.
Initial situation & background
Our association uses an electric cargo bike from Bullitt for the weekly transportation of regional fruit, vegetables and bulky goods. This is equipped with a commercially available battery, which
is currently charged from the 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 converted as part of the hackathon so that a solar cell charges the battery. We have prepared the design of most of the components. Whether we are right will only become clear at the end.
Task description
Convert 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 the effects of the weather (at least IP 43).
1) Gain access to device data and check the design first.
2) Consider how the design can be implemented. Procure any missing components.
3) Try to implement 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 riding may require hacking the battery control system (BMS battery management system).
- Consider what a universal/mobile solution that can be easily adapted to common battery systems might look like. Estimates the costs and defines possible savings potential. Carry out market research and consider whether a development
can offer economic potential.
Links:
Cargo bike: https://www.bullitt-bike.de/steps-ebullitt-bike/steps-ebullitt-bike-6100-alfine-11-gang-di2.html
MPPT: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DG5KXVR2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
DC/DC converter: https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-tr-smart#downloads
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 responds to inquiries 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.
Requirements:
Documents / help:
Brief description
The "Youth Vision Action" project aims to promote, enable and implement youth participation in the design 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 a 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 https://yva.rocks/), a core group of around 30 people (pupils, students, artists, project team).
With what data?
Visions and guiding principles of the 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
https://www.instagram.com/yva_rocks/
https://www.lanternafuturi.net/de/
Tips
There are already similar platforms from which you can get inspiration, but which are hardly used for various reasons à 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 proposals for implementation. 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).
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 use 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.
The area under consideration extends between the "heiligen-Geist-Brücke" bridge and the "Brücke-Südstraße" bridge.
The aim of the hackathon is to develop innovative usage 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.
Creativity and innovation:
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 use is often limited in historic districts. In this example, the possibilities for homeowners will be addressed and an instrument developed that takes technical, legal and design aspects into account.
Initial situation & background
Zittau's city center is protected as a listed entity. 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 targets must be implemented. 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 energy generation and the reduction of 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 solar cadastre can be used, for example, to determine the potential.
Case study of the city of Constance:
https://www.konstanz.de/service/presse/pressemitteilungen/altstadt-solarkataster+presented
This would be possible in digital form, e.g. as a PDF. Another option would be to develop a digital version as an app or interactive map.
Brief description
Improve regional logistics, support producers, promote networking.
Use of existing platforms to integrate an easy-to-use logistics concept.
Initial situation & background
The Lusatia region and the district of Görlitz in particular have 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 come into 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. From this constellation, we would like to derive a task 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 evaluated. Potential expansion of the use of the OFN across national borders is under discussion and should be pursued.
Idea approach: Export all delivery addresses, use data list for a carpool (possibly fictitious data)
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 trips, cycle, possibly also storage requirements (such as refrigeration)
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%.