Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
ReNova Charge
ReNova Charge: Sustainable Solar Stations for Renewable Energy and E-Waste Repurposing
Transforming discarded vape batteries into solar-powered charging stations, ReNova Charge provides clean, renewable energy in public spaces while raising awareness about e-waste repurposing and sustainability. Charge your devices, support the planet!
Kosovo
Local
Mitrovice, Kosovo
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Early concept
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
This project repurposes lithium batteries from disposable vapes to create solar-powered charging stations in areas without access to power, such as hiking trails and public spaces. By giving a second life to discarded batteries, it reduces hazardous waste while promoting circular economy principles. These stations provide free, renewable energy and serve as educational hubs, raising awareness about e-waste management and sustainability.
Designed for hikers, cyclists, and the general public, the project ensures accessibility through a low-height structure for wheelchair users, Braille instructions for the visually impaired, and visual guides for non-readers. Informational panels highlight the environmental impact of lithium battery waste and the benefits of solar energy, fostering awareness and responsible energy use.
Aligned with the New European Bauhaus values, the project integrates sustainability by reusing batteries and utilizing solar energy, inclusion by ensuring universal accessibility, and aesthetics by designing stations that harmonize with their surroundings.
By addressing e-waste pollution and the absence of charging infrastructure in remote areas, this initiative offers a sustainable and practical solution. It enhances public spaces by providing a useful service while promoting environmental responsibility, ultimately encouraging long-term sustainable practices that benefit both communities and the planet.
Designed for hikers, cyclists, and the general public, the project ensures accessibility through a low-height structure for wheelchair users, Braille instructions for the visually impaired, and visual guides for non-readers. Informational panels highlight the environmental impact of lithium battery waste and the benefits of solar energy, fostering awareness and responsible energy use.
Aligned with the New European Bauhaus values, the project integrates sustainability by reusing batteries and utilizing solar energy, inclusion by ensuring universal accessibility, and aesthetics by designing stations that harmonize with their surroundings.
By addressing e-waste pollution and the absence of charging infrastructure in remote areas, this initiative offers a sustainable and practical solution. It enhances public spaces by providing a useful service while promoting environmental responsibility, ultimately encouraging long-term sustainable practices that benefit both communities and the planet.
Sustainability
Circular Economy,
Renewable Energy
Accessibility
Environmental Awareness
The key sustainability objective of this project is to reduce hazardous e-waste by repurposing lithium batteries from disposable vapes, which would otherwise contribute to environmental pollution. Improper disposal of lithium batteries can lead to soil and water contamination and pose fire hazards, making their safe recovery and reuse a critical environmental solution. By integrating these batteries into solar-powered charging stations, the project extends their life cycle and promotes circular economy principles, ensuring that valuable resources are not wasted.
Another core sustainability goal is to enhance renewable energy use by relying entirely on solar power to recharge devices. This approach eliminates dependency on fossil fuels, reduces carbon emissions, and provides off-grid energy solutions in remote areas. The integration of energy-efficient battery management systems (BMS) further ensures optimal energy storage and minimal power loss, maximizing sustainability impact.
The project is exemplary in sustainability because it aligns with life-cycle thinking and circular industrial ecosystems. It transforms waste into functional infrastructure, demonstrating a scalable model that can be replicated across different regions facing similar e-waste and energy accessibility challenges. Similar successful projects in Europe, such as battery repurposing initiatives in public transport and off-grid energy solutions, highlight the feasibility of this approach.
By combining e-waste reduction, solar energy utilization, and energy-efficient design, the project represents a holistic, innovative, and replicable solution that addresses both environmental and societal challenges. It sets a precedent for integrating circular economy models into public infrastructure, aligning fully with NEB sustainability principles and the European Green Deal’s zero-pollution ambition.
Another core sustainability goal is to enhance renewable energy use by relying entirely on solar power to recharge devices. This approach eliminates dependency on fossil fuels, reduces carbon emissions, and provides off-grid energy solutions in remote areas. The integration of energy-efficient battery management systems (BMS) further ensures optimal energy storage and minimal power loss, maximizing sustainability impact.
The project is exemplary in sustainability because it aligns with life-cycle thinking and circular industrial ecosystems. It transforms waste into functional infrastructure, demonstrating a scalable model that can be replicated across different regions facing similar e-waste and energy accessibility challenges. Similar successful projects in Europe, such as battery repurposing initiatives in public transport and off-grid energy solutions, highlight the feasibility of this approach.
By combining e-waste reduction, solar energy utilization, and energy-efficient design, the project represents a holistic, innovative, and replicable solution that addresses both environmental and societal challenges. It sets a precedent for integrating circular economy models into public infrastructure, aligning fully with NEB sustainability principles and the European Green Deal’s zero-pollution ambition.
The project prioritizes aesthetic integration and user experience by designing charging stations that blend into both natural and urban environments. Inspired by best practices in sustainable public infrastructure, the stations use recycled and locally sourced materials, ensuring durability while promoting circular economy principles. The compact, minimalist design allows for harmonious placement in parks, hiking trails, and community spaces, making them visually appealing and non-intrusive.
To enhance quality of experience, the stations prioritize accessibility and intuitive design. The interface includes Braille instructions, visual guides, and a low-height structure, ensuring usability for individuals with disabilities. This aligns with the “design-for-all” principle, making the stations inclusive and user-friendly.
Additionally, educational panels provide cultural and environmental insights, raising awareness about sustainability, e-waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
This project is exemplary in its approach by transforming functional infrastructure into an engaging and educational public space. It follows the NEB value of reconnecting with nature, as seen in projects that integrate design, culture, and sustainability to improve public spaces. By combining aesthetic appeal, accessibility, and environmental awareness, the project enhances the daily experience of its users while fostering a deeper connection between people and sustainable practices.
To enhance quality of experience, the stations prioritize accessibility and intuitive design. The interface includes Braille instructions, visual guides, and a low-height structure, ensuring usability for individuals with disabilities. This aligns with the “design-for-all” principle, making the stations inclusive and user-friendly.
Additionally, educational panels provide cultural and environmental insights, raising awareness about sustainability, e-waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
This project is exemplary in its approach by transforming functional infrastructure into an engaging and educational public space. It follows the NEB value of reconnecting with nature, as seen in projects that integrate design, culture, and sustainability to improve public spaces. By combining aesthetic appeal, accessibility, and environmental awareness, the project enhances the daily experience of its users while fostering a deeper connection between people and sustainable practices.
This project is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all, ensuring that solar-powered charging stations serve diverse users regardless of physical ability, financial status, or location. By repurposing lithium batteries from disposable vapes, the project also contributes to affordability, making sustainable energy solutions available in public spaces without requiring users to pay for charging.
A key objective is universal accessibility, achieved through design-for-all principles. The stations are built with low-height structures to accommodate wheelchair users, Braille instructions for the visually impaired, and visual guides for those with low literacy. These elements align with best practices in inclusive urban design, ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities.
The project also promotes social inclusion through community engagement. By placing the charging stations in public spaces, hiking trails, and community hubs, it fosters interaction among different social groups, creating shared spaces that encourage dialogue and connection. Additionally, the educational panels integrated into the stations help raise awareness about sustainability and e-waste reduction, empowering people to make more environmentally conscious choices.
This initiative is exemplary because it integrates affordable, accessible, and sustainable technology into public infrastructure. Similar successful projects across Europe have demonstrated that open-access solar charging stations in public areas improve connectivity, promote social equity, and contribute to environmental sustainability. By combining these best practices with an innovative circular economy approach, this project creates a replicable model that enhances community resilience while addressing environmental and social challenges.
A key objective is universal accessibility, achieved through design-for-all principles. The stations are built with low-height structures to accommodate wheelchair users, Braille instructions for the visually impaired, and visual guides for those with low literacy. These elements align with best practices in inclusive urban design, ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities.
The project also promotes social inclusion through community engagement. By placing the charging stations in public spaces, hiking trails, and community hubs, it fosters interaction among different social groups, creating shared spaces that encourage dialogue and connection. Additionally, the educational panels integrated into the stations help raise awareness about sustainability and e-waste reduction, empowering people to make more environmentally conscious choices.
This initiative is exemplary because it integrates affordable, accessible, and sustainable technology into public infrastructure. Similar successful projects across Europe have demonstrated that open-access solar charging stations in public areas improve connectivity, promote social equity, and contribute to environmental sustainability. By combining these best practices with an innovative circular economy approach, this project creates a replicable model that enhances community resilience while addressing environmental and social challenges.
This project is built on community collaboration, ensuring that civil society organizations and young innovators play an active role in its development and implementation. Rather than direct consultations with citizens, the project has engaged organizations that work with people with disabilities to ensure that accessibility is a design feature. Through discussions with these organizations, we identified the need for low-height charging stations for wheelchair users and Braille instructions for the visually impaired, ensuring inclusivity and universal access.
Additionally, students and young people attending training programs at BONEVET are actively involved in developing prototypes and final products for the charging stations. This hands-on engagement not only fosters technical and creative skills but also empowers young innovators to contribute to real-world sustainability solutions.
The impact of this involvement has been significant. By incorporating expertise from civil society, the project ensures that the charging stations are accessible, functional, and user-friendly. Engaging youth in the design and production process promotes innovation, learning, and ownership, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the initiative. Moreover, by fostering collaboration between environmental organizations, educators, and young makers, the project is creating a model of participatory design that can be replicated in other communities.
Additionally, students and young people attending training programs at BONEVET are actively involved in developing prototypes and final products for the charging stations. This hands-on engagement not only fosters technical and creative skills but also empowers young innovators to contribute to real-world sustainability solutions.
The impact of this involvement has been significant. By incorporating expertise from civil society, the project ensures that the charging stations are accessible, functional, and user-friendly. Engaging youth in the design and production process promotes innovation, learning, and ownership, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the initiative. Moreover, by fostering collaboration between environmental organizations, educators, and young makers, the project is creating a model of participatory design that can be replicated in other communities.
Local stakeholders have not been involved in the initial phase, we fully recognize the importance of their engagement. We plan to involve them in the next phase of the project. Their involvement will be crucial in ensuring the project's success and sustainability. Engaging local actors will help strengthen the connection with the community and ensure direct benefits, such as improved energy conditions and cost reduction, for the residents.
At the early stages of the solar stations project, Art, with his master’s degree in mechatronics, led the design process, applying his expertise in woodworking, laser cutting, 3D design, 3D printing, electronics, renewable energy, and repurposing. Over the years at BONEVET, Art developed these skills and passed them on to students, who collaborated closely with him to design the project. During this phase, they consulted various online sources to refine their understanding and gather insights for the design process.
The project’s design reflects an interdisciplinary approach, where students integrated knowledge from different fields, such as creating initial designs for the solar station structures using woodworking techniques, and considering how to incorporate 3D printed components for custom parts. They also worked on designing the solar power system, applying renewable energy principles, and discussing how electronics could be used for efficient energy storage and use. The team also focused on repurposing materials, considering ways to minimize waste and promote sustainability. While the project is still in its design phase, this collaborative effort has laid a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the solar stations in the future.
The project’s design reflects an interdisciplinary approach, where students integrated knowledge from different fields, such as creating initial designs for the solar station structures using woodworking techniques, and considering how to incorporate 3D printed components for custom parts. They also worked on designing the solar power system, applying renewable energy principles, and discussing how electronics could be used for efficient energy storage and use. The team also focused on repurposing materials, considering ways to minimize waste and promote sustainability. While the project is still in its design phase, this collaborative effort has laid a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the solar stations in the future.
The solar stations project stands out for its innovative approach in several ways, especially when compared to mainstream actions in the field of renewable energy. One of the key differentiators is its strong focus on hands-on learning and the integration of various technologies, such as woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics, all driven by a collaborative team of students led by Art. Rather than relying on external experts, the project empowers students by providing them with practical skills and knowledge, fostering an environment of self-learning and creativity.
Additionally, the project emphasizes sustainability not only in terms of energy production but also in the repurposing of materials. By using recycled materials and focusing on minimizing waste, the project aligns with the growing movement towards circular economy principles. This approach to repurposing, combined with the focus on renewable energy, makes it a unique and innovative contribution to the field.
Unlike many mainstream renewable energy projects that focus primarily on technology deployment without much community involvement or educational integration, this project combines technical development with a strong educational component. It not only aims to create a functional solar energy solution but also provides students with the opportunity to learn and apply a wide range of skills in a real-world context. This holistic, hands-on approach is what sets the project apart and adds significant value, both in terms of its impact on the students and its potential to contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
Additionally, the project emphasizes sustainability not only in terms of energy production but also in the repurposing of materials. By using recycled materials and focusing on minimizing waste, the project aligns with the growing movement towards circular economy principles. This approach to repurposing, combined with the focus on renewable energy, makes it a unique and innovative contribution to the field.
Unlike many mainstream renewable energy projects that focus primarily on technology deployment without much community involvement or educational integration, this project combines technical development with a strong educational component. It not only aims to create a functional solar energy solution but also provides students with the opportunity to learn and apply a wide range of skills in a real-world context. This holistic, hands-on approach is what sets the project apart and adds significant value, both in terms of its impact on the students and its potential to contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
The methodology used in the solar stations project follows an iterative, hands-on, and collaborative approach, designed to involve students in all stages of the design process. The project begins with a strong emphasis on learning by doing, where Art, with his extensive experience in mechatronics, leads the students through the initial design phase. The process involves brainstorming, prototyping, and refining ideas based on feedback and research.
At the start, the project focuses on designing the solar station components, considering various technologies such as woodworking, laser cutting, 3D printing, and electronics. The students work together with Art to create prototypes and simulate the integration of these components into a functional system. The team also consults online resources and engages in research to ensure that their designs are up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in renewable energy and sustainability.
The approach encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, as students are encouraged to experiment, test different designs, and refine their ideas based on real-world constraints. Throughout the process, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability, with a focus on using repurposed materials to minimize waste and contribute to the circular economy. The methodology also fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among students, empowering them to learn from each other and work as a team.
By combining hands-on technical work with educational growth, this approach not only aims to design a functional solar station but also equips students with the skills needed to innovate and create sustainable solutions.
At the start, the project focuses on designing the solar station components, considering various technologies such as woodworking, laser cutting, 3D printing, and electronics. The students work together with Art to create prototypes and simulate the integration of these components into a functional system. The team also consults online resources and engages in research to ensure that their designs are up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in renewable energy and sustainability.
The approach encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, as students are encouraged to experiment, test different designs, and refine their ideas based on real-world constraints. Throughout the process, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability, with a focus on using repurposed materials to minimize waste and contribute to the circular economy. The methodology also fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among students, empowering them to learn from each other and work as a team.
By combining hands-on technical work with educational growth, this approach not only aims to design a functional solar station but also equips students with the skills needed to innovate and create sustainable solutions.
The solar stations project is highly replicable due to the accessible tools and materials used. The methodology, focused on hands-on learning, collaboration, and problem-solving, can be easily adapted to other communities or educational settings. The tools like woodworking, 3D printing, and electronics are affordable and widely available, making the project feasible in various regions. Additionally, the emphasis on sustainability and repurposing materials ensures the approach can be tailored to local needs. The skills developed through this project can be applied to a variety of other initiatives, making it a flexible model for diverse contexts.
The solar stations project addresses several global challenges by providing local solutions. The project tackles sustainability and waste reduction. By focusing on repurposing materials, the project minimizes the need for new resources, promotes a circular economy, and reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing new products. Repurposing items locally not only lowers the carbon footprint but also encourages responsible consumption.
Finally, the project addresses the global need for renewable energy. By designing and implementing solar energy systems, it provides a clean, sustainable energy solution, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to the fight against climate change. The local production of solar stations not only meets energy needs but also raises awareness of the importance of renewable energy, offering a scalable solution for regions looking to transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Through these local solutions—e-waste management, repurposing, and renewable energy—the project plays a part in addressing broader global environmental challenges.
Finally, the project addresses the global need for renewable energy. By designing and implementing solar energy systems, it provides a clean, sustainable energy solution, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to the fight against climate change. The local production of solar stations not only meets energy needs but also raises awareness of the importance of renewable energy, offering a scalable solution for regions looking to transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Through these local solutions—e-waste management, repurposing, and renewable energy—the project plays a part in addressing broader global environmental challenges.
In the year following the project aims to focus on several key steps
1.Refining the Design and Prototyping: The first step will be to refine the solar station design based on initial feedback, ensuring that all components are functional and optimized for local conditions. Prototyping will be further developed, with detailed testing to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the system.
2.Building Partnerships: To support the implementation, the project will seek collaborations with local businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions. These partnerships will help provide additional resources, expertise, and potential funding for scaling the project.
3.Community Engagement and Awareness: A key step will involve promoting the project within the local community and beyond. Workshops, presentations, and online campaigns will be organized to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy, sustainability, and e-waste management. The project will encourage other communities to replicate the concept and will actively share the lessons learned.
4.Pilot Implementation: The project will focus on the pilot implementation of solar stations in local schools, community centers, or public spaces. This will provide a real-world test for the solar systems, offering valuable insights and data to refine the process further.
5.Expanding Educational Outreach: Following the success of the initial stages, the project will expand its educational component by offering more training for students and community members, teaching them about renewable energy, electronics, and the importance of repurposing materials. This will help build a strong skill base for future projects.
6.Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring and evaluation will take place to assess the impact of the solar stations and ensure that they are meeting energy needs efficiently. Feedback from users will be gathered to improve future designs and solutions
1.Refining the Design and Prototyping: The first step will be to refine the solar station design based on initial feedback, ensuring that all components are functional and optimized for local conditions. Prototyping will be further developed, with detailed testing to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the system.
2.Building Partnerships: To support the implementation, the project will seek collaborations with local businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions. These partnerships will help provide additional resources, expertise, and potential funding for scaling the project.
3.Community Engagement and Awareness: A key step will involve promoting the project within the local community and beyond. Workshops, presentations, and online campaigns will be organized to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy, sustainability, and e-waste management. The project will encourage other communities to replicate the concept and will actively share the lessons learned.
4.Pilot Implementation: The project will focus on the pilot implementation of solar stations in local schools, community centers, or public spaces. This will provide a real-world test for the solar systems, offering valuable insights and data to refine the process further.
5.Expanding Educational Outreach: Following the success of the initial stages, the project will expand its educational component by offering more training for students and community members, teaching them about renewable energy, electronics, and the importance of repurposing materials. This will help build a strong skill base for future projects.
6.Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring and evaluation will take place to assess the impact of the solar stations and ensure that they are meeting energy needs efficiently. Feedback from users will be gathered to improve future designs and solutions
