The “Crowdfunded green tech projects” article first published on April 12, 2023 with these keywords: architecture, Artificial Intelligence, crowdfunding, environment, green AI, green energy, greenfrastructures, smart city, smart energy, solutions, sustainable development, technology.
It is always good to see that many people support a project, so in this article we will examine how crowdfunded successful green tech projects came to alive in the last years.
Hopefully, this article will motivate others to find out creative projects and manage them with the support and backed by the crowd, who would like to see real changes regarding the environment and sustainable development in the world.
As Mahatma Gandhi told:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Let’s see successful crowdfunded green tech projects.
Renewable energy related projects
Solar Roadways
This green tech project founded by Scott and Julie Brusaw in 2006, and the crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo launched in 2014.
They developed a solar panel system that can be installed on
- roads,
- parking lots, and
- sidewalks to generate electricity from the sun.
Their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo raised over $2.2 million, and they have since received additional funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and other investors.
The founding story
- According to various sources and Wikipedia Solar Roadways received a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) for Phase I to determine the feasibility of the proposed project in 2009.
- In 2011, Solar Roadways received a $750,000 SBIR grant from the DOT for Phase II to develop and build a solar parking lot; from this, they built a 12-by-36-foot (3.7 by 11.0 m) parking lot covered with hexagonal glass-covered solar panels sitting on top of a concrete base, heated to prevent snow and ice accumulation, with LEDs to illuminate road lines and display messages. According to the Brusaws, the panels can sustain a 250,000 lb (110,000 kg) load.
- In April 2014, the company started a crowdfunding drive at Indiegogo to raise money so they could get the product into production. The campaign raised $2.2 million and became Indiegogo’s most popular campaign ever in terms of the number of backers it attracted.
The success attributed in part to a tweet made by actor George Takei, due to his more than 8 million followers. One of the Brusaws’ videos went viral, with over 20 million views as of November 2015.
- In December 2015, the USDOT announced that it had awarded Solar Roadways a Phase IIB SBIR contract to further their research.
- In 2016 they given an additional $750,000.
The first public installation was in Jeff Jones Town Square in Sandpoint, Idaho. It opened to the public on September 30, 2016, as a pilot installation for a pedestrian walkway.
BioLite
This company founded in 2009 by Jonathan Cedar and Alec Drummond.
They developed a wood-burning stove that not only provides
- a clean, efficient source of heat for cooking and warmth, but also
- generates electricity to charge electronic devices such as phones and tablets.
Their crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter raised over $1.8 million, and they have since expanded their product line to include other energy-efficient products for outdoor enthusiasts.
The BioLite stove uses a patented thermoelectric technology that converts heat from the fire into electricity, which is then stored in an integrated battery pack. This allows users to charge their devices even when they are
- off the grid and
- without access to conventional power sources.
The company also developed a range of other energy-efficient products for outdoor enthusiasts, including
- solar-powered lights and
- portable power banks.
The company has since raised additional funding from investors and has expanded its product line to include larger-scale energy solutions for off-grid communities in developing countries.
In addition to its innovative products, BioLite is also committed to
- sustainable business practices and
- has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
These include using
- recycled and sustainable materials in its products,
- reducing waste and emissions in its manufacturing processes, and
- working with partners to promote sustainable forestry practices.
This company is a notable example of a green tech company that using innovative technology to provide sustainable solutions for both outdoor enthusiasts and off-grid communities, while also prioritizing environmental sustainability in its business practices.
Nature reservation and solving environmental issues
Flow Hive
This green tech project started by Stuart and Cedar Anderson a father-son duo from Australia in 2015.
They developed a beehive that allowed beekeepers to harvest honey without disturbing the bees. Their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo raised over $12.2 million, and they have since expanded their product line to include other sustainable beekeeping products.
The Flow Hive uses a patented technology that allows honey to be extracted from the hive without the need for traditional beekeeping equipment such as smokers, extractors, or centrifuges.
Consequences
This innovative technology reduces the stress on the bees and minimizes the risk of injury or death during the harvesting process. It also allows beekeepers to harvest honey in a more sustainable way, as it eliminates the need for disposable honeycomb frames.
In addition to the Flow Hive, the company has developed a range of other sustainable beekeeping products, including
- beehive covers made from recycled materials,
- natural beeswax food wraps to replace plastic wrap, and
- reusable beeswax sandwich bags to replace disposable plastic bags.
The company has since expanded its product line and grown its business globally, with customers in over 130 countries.
Beyond its innovative product line, Flow Hive committed to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and preserving bee populations around the world.
The company has established partnerships with beekeeping organizations and has donated hives to beekeepers in developing countries to support local beekeeping communities.
Solving inequalities
LuminAID
This company founded in 2010 by two architecture students, Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta.
The company’s mission is to provide sustainable, portable lighting solutions for people around the world who lack access to electricity.
They developed a solar-powered inflatable lantern that used for
- outdoor activities,
- emergency situations, and
- in developing countries without access to electricity.
LuminAID has been successful in raising funding through crowdfunding campaigns, including a Kickstarter campaign in 2013 that raised over $51,000.
The company has since expanded its product line and grown its business globally, with customers in over 100 countries.
LuminAID’s flagship product is a lightweight, inflatable solar-powered lantern that can be used for
- camping,
- outdoor activities, and
- emergency preparedness.
The lantern charged by a built-in solar panel and can provide up to 24 hours of light on a single charge. The lanterns waterproof and can easily packed for travel.
In addition to its solar-powered lanterns, LuminAID developed a range of other sustainable lighting solutions, including
- USB-powered lanterns and
- solar-powered phone chargers.
The company has partnered with non-profit organizations to distribute its products to people in need around the world, including those affected by natural disasters, refugees, and people living in off-grid communities.
Beyond its innovative products, LuminAID committed to promoting sustainability in its business practices. The company uses
- recycled and sustainable materials in its products and packaging, and
- it has implemented initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as offsetting its carbon emissions through tree-planting projects.
The Future?
Concept: AI-Powered Energy Management System
The AI-Powered Energy Management System is an innovative green tech project that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize energy usage in
- commercial buildings,
- reducing carbon emissions and
- energy costs.
The system uses machine learning algorithms to
- analyze energy consumption patterns and
- identify areas where energy efficiency can be improved.
It can automatically adjust
- heating,
- cooling,
- lighting, and
- other systems to optimize energy usage based on occupancy levels and other factors.
The AI-Powered Energy Management System includes a dashboard that provides real-time insights into
- energy usage,
- carbon emissions, and
- cost savings.
Building managers can use this information to make informed decisions about energy usage and identify opportunities for further optimization.
Benefits
- Reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, helping to combat climate change.
- Lowers energy costs for commercial buildings, leading to significant cost savings over time.
- Improves building occupant comfort and productivity by optimizing heating, cooling, and lighting systems.
- Provides real-time insights into energy usage and carbon emissions, enabling building managers to make data-driven decisions.
The AI-Powered Energy Management System could be applied to a wide range of
- commercial buildings, including offices, hotels, hospitals, and schools.
It could also be integrated into smart city infrastructure to optimize energy usage in
public buildings and spaces.
Learn more about energy here.