They were created to provide shade, but umbrellas could soon become a source of energy. Thus, even the beaches in the space of a few years are preparing to become smart grid oases. At the heart of the photovoltaic technology able to receive solar radiation at its best and perhaps also take advantage of the reverberation emanating from the sand.
Science fiction? No, some experiments are already underway. Like that of Carlo Ratti Associati. In the Turin factory, prototypes were developed under the supervision of the architect Italo Rota and with ideas taken from Chuck Hoberman, father of the “transformable design”.
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The team has thus imagined a technological umbrella which, on the one hand, protects users from UV rays, and on the other is able to capture the latter and transform them into energy.
«For this project we started with a question: if the best way to cool our summer was to use the same sun that beats on our beaches? – comments Carlo Ratti, founder of the Cra-Carlo Ratti Associati design studio and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -. Inspired by the research and technologies in use in the aerospace sector, we went to rethink the holiday umbrella, promoting a change of perspective: the stronger the sun, the more cool the umbrella will be able to generate ».
The prototype – which has not yet been given a name – was liked by Sammontana which obviously has a lot to do with beaches in the summer. “The project stems from the desire to propose a concept with a low environmental impact potentially applicable to Italian bathing beaches – explains Sibilla Bagnoli, communication manager of Sammontana Italia -: for some years we have focused attention on these special environments that are generally well arranged to experiment with new ways to welcome the public, manage services and innovate, with great respect for the environment and people “.