After the first round-the-world trip in a solar plane, the Solar Impulse foundation announced that it wanted to find 1,000 solutions to promote ecological transition. Now that 1000 solutions have been approved, Bertrand Piccard, president of the Solar Impulse foundation, calls on governments and industries to support these technologies. Indeed, they are, according to him, the key to protect the planet while ensuring economic growth.
The beginnings of Solar Impulse
It all started with two intrepid and forward-thinking Swiss friends: Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. Both wanted to show that solar energy had a future. So they launched the challenge of an around-the-world flight in a solar plane.
After ten years of development, the Solar Impulse aircraft was finally ready. On July 26, 2016 Bertrand Piccard landed in Abu Dhabi. The aircraft had traveled nearly 40,000 km, without using a drop of fuel.
At this point, it was not so much a breakthrough for aviation, as a breakthrough for renewable energy. The Solar Impulse plane had indeed proven that solar energy can do the impossible.
1000 Efficient Solutions for a better world
But Bertrand Picard did not want to stop there. He aims to take his vision further. Because according to him, ecology should not be confused with sacrifice and economic decline. The president of the Solar Impulse Foundation is convinced that there are already technologies that can have a positive impact on the planet, while also contributing to economic growth.
At the end of 2016, the Solar Impulse foundation therefore launched the Global Alliance for Efficient Solutions. Their goal: to find 1000 eco-friendly AND profitable solutions, with a tangible positive environmental impact. This list of 1000 solutions aims to help companies and governments achieve their ambitious goals in terms of planet protection and carbon neutrality.
For the past several years, myriad solutions have been looked at by a team of independent experts. To obtain the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label, a solution must meet their requirements in terms of technological feasibility, environmental impact and economic profitability.
This is why today, Bertrand Picard, the Solar Impulse Foundation and the companies that launched these solutions are very optimistic and proud. Because the goal of 1000 Efficient Solutions for a prosperous ecological transition. If there is no silver bullet, the fact that there are already 1,000 solutions is nothing short of a miracle. This gives us proof of an economically and ecologically viable future!
Companies engaged with Solar Impulse
Green companies in the shower sector
At HYDRAO, we are therefore very proud and humbled to be among the first 1000 Efficient Solutions!
Our HYDRAO Aloé smart shower obtained the Solar Impulse “1000 Efficient Solutions” label in 2019. They meet two UN sustainable development objectives: the SDG 12. Indeed, the HYDRAO smart showers change colors depending on the quantity of water used in real-time and have an eco-flow rate of 6.6L/min. Our Nudge technology solutions thus reduce water AND energy consumption, and are an ideal solution for sustainable homes, buildings and cities.
Many other solutions for a more ecological shower have been selected by the Solar Impulse Foundation. Among these is our partner Joulia. The Swiss company has developed a solution to reduce the energy used to heat the shower water. For this, the energy of the hot water consumed is reused to heat the cold water which arrives in the mixer. Thus the amount of hot water required is reduced. Joulia therefore saves 1900 kWh per year, in a household of 4 people. That’s about 7600 hours of television viewing. This solution is all the more relevant, since we know that 13% of the energy consumed at home is dedicated to heating water!
French companies labeled Solar Impulse
Along with HYDRAO, other French companies have been awarded the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions label. This is notably the case with OZO, Ecocean and Jean Bouteille.
OZO offers with its conversion kits a simple and ecological solution to transform a standard bicycle into an electric bicycle. By offering an alternative to buying a new bike, OZO makes it possible to have an electric bike 50% cheaper, while reducing our carbon footprint and the waste associated with abandoning our old bike. The little extra: the batteries are made in France.
Ecocean, for its part, has developed a solution to preserve aquatic biodiversity (SDG 14). Today young fish are threatened by coastal human activities. Not finding shelter in port areas, they are more likely to be eaten by predators. Ecocean has therefore developed the Biohut solution. The French company offers artificial habitats providing food and shelter for fish larvae. These fully recyclable and made in France habitats thus promote the survival rate of fish larvae.
Jean Bouteille is developing solutions for liquid bulk. The goal of this French start-up is to extend the life cycle of a bottle by reintroducing the deposit system. Rather than throwing a bottle away for recycling – which takes a lot of energy – the bottles are washed and then reused.
Of course, there are many other solutions labeled Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions. To find the 1000 Efficient Solutions, go to the Solar Impulse Foundation website. You will see that there are a thousand (and one!) reasons to be optimistic about the future of our planet!