over 1.6 billion people in the world without access to electricity. 67% (1 billion) of these people live in rural areas where the electric grid does not reach. Decentralized electricity production devices could make an enormous contribution in these regions. Small scale wind powered electric generators as outlined in the following, could meet many areas electricity needs. Motorwind is a small scale wind powered electric generator capable of powering lights, stoves, radios, mobile phones, and numerous battery powered devices. It is lightweight, easy to use, adaptable, modular and mobile. Very importantly, it works without being connected to the grid and its low cost makes it an affordable product for many areas of the world. It works with a minimum wind speed of 2m/s (4.47 mile/hour) and can work with high wind speeds as well. It is low tech but excels at storing excess power in batteries. Made from recycled plastics, it’s recyclable when its three to five year life span is over. For a set of eight, module, Motorwind turbines the current price is $150 which will be greatly reduced when mass produced. Additional sets can be purchased and connected to supply greater electricity demands. This product is didactic in nature, sustainable and can be used in applications around the world since it works at low wind speeds. The latter part of this strategy calls for communities to work together to embrace our ecological processes from households, neighborhoods to city scales. The U.S spends 34 billion a year on lawn maintenance. This energy can be converted into $37-$250 a month per average U.S household. Cutting edge designers are creating aesthetically pleasing landscapes integrated within our ecosystems by appropriating vegetation types such as herbaceous, shrubland, woodland and forest plantings with our human built environment. This dramatically decreases energy costs and directly supports environmental sustainability. This strategy calls for support to get the Microwind turbines mass produced and distributed world wide while also supporting community and both government and non-government organizations to support our ecosystem functions.

Describe the current stage of your initiative and your implementation plan over the next three years

The present inititive is for myself to study City and Regional Planning at University of Pennsylvania. My intention is to gain a better understanding of policy in order to better qualify my design and planning strategies. Passionate about life from small intricate ecotones to global, regional economic issues, I decided to study Buckminster Fuller and his whole systems planning approach. This research has evolved into my energy strategy which waits to be amplified at a larger scale. The Buckminster Fuller Challenge provides me with the opportunity to share it.

The approach to this strategy was through Fuller’s own design process. In conjunction with my architectural education, focus on true sustainability, and personal passion for life systems, this strategy was formed. The Fuller approaches to problem solving truly ignited my desire and capabilities to impact and alleviate the current problems of our society. Therefore, I am currently in contact with the manufacturers of this Microwind product located in Hong Kong. I am also in contact with a local, Philadelphia venture capitalist group but have not shared this idea with them quite yet. The manufacturer, as of August 2008, has just one US distributor. I will be meeting with her, in support of distributing this product and to meet with potential investors together.

Over the next few years, as funds for energy independence become more available, as well as the mass production of the Microwind product, I plan to pursue this strategy. If prize money were to be awarded for this strategy, it would advance support for project demonstrations, mass productions, distribution worldwide, ecological education, and most importantly reach the goal. The goal to exemplify that natural, renewable energies and life processes are everywhere, and communities can either degrade them or function, integrativly with the processes.
“Energy is Everywhere”.

www.motorwavegroup.com Pictures and a portion of technical information regarding the Microwind product were obtained from the manufacturer's website.

Describe how your strategy meets the entry criteria ("What We're Looking For")

The “Energy is Everywhere” strategy of developing the capacities of both the developing and developed countries is a whole system intent to seed awareness and opportunities world wide. The Microwind artifact itself addresses the present state of some communities not having basic electricity while other communities are dependant on unrenewable energy sources. If mass produced, these wind turbines can reach 100 million people for just 100 million US dollars a year. (That’s $1 per year for each person it is supporting).

My case study application in Tanzania show’s that Microwind turbines can create 41% of the country’s electricity consumption with their average wind speed. Any amount of turbines can create a large impact in many regions of the world.

The module, adaptable electricity generator is made from recycled plastics and is renewable when it’s 4-5 year life span is over. Able to function in low tech settings or supplement urban electrical grids, this product is ecologically sound and is capable of reducing our dependence on unsustainable energy sources. With its educational and aesthetically pleasing qualities, this product will be an asset from the urban to rural environments. If my ideal state were to become reality, there would be a great capacity growth within developing countries but also a new identification, outlook and response to ecological systems within the developed regions.

Describe the qualifications and experience of you and/or your team and your ability to execute your implementation plan

The strategy will soon be published as a portion of the Design Science Lab 2008. The comprehensive approach and optimistic design spirit, is challenged when classifying and stating the category which this strategy fits within, therefore it seems to positively impact the multi-facets of sustainability. I would like to form a team which collaborates with investors and the manufacturer in Hong Kong. The manufacturer has recently solidified methods and tools for applications world wide, providing opportunity to offer support in distributing to regions in throughout the world.

During the Design Science Lab with support from Medard Gabel, the strategy was presented to the Energy and Environmental departments of the United Nations. Their feedback impacted the existing strategy and its vision for a sustainable future. Individuals with energy and sustainability backgrounds have also contributed feedback and confidence in this idea.

As a young professional who has focused on sustainability within our built environments, it's rewarding to share visions and to have developed a design process very much inspired by Buckminster Fuller. Thank you for reviewing a strategy for a sustainable future.