1. OMA, Eneropa Map, 2010, © OMA
Designing the Future of Energy: Transform!
In late 2023, a pivotal moment occurred in the global dialogue on climate change when the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) made an historic declaration: fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas were officially recognized as the primary culprits behind climate change.
This declaration reaffirmed what was already well-known for decades: the urgency of transitioning away from these harmful energy sources to CO2-free alternatives such as solar, wind, water and geothermal power.
COP 28 did not just stop at recognition; it called on nations to triple the global production of renewable energies by 2030, highlighting the critical need for a swift and comprehensive energy transition.
The political and historic background of those energy changes
2. C.F. Mølles Architects, Copenhagen International School Nordhavn © Adam Mørk / Architect: Møller Architects
Amidst this backdrop of heightened environmental consciousness and geopolitical energy crises, the European Union also launched a major campaign, "You are EU," to promote renewable energies produced within the EU.
This campaign, driven by both ecological concerns and the desire for energy independence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, underscores the multifaceted drivers of the energy transition.
As the EU strives to wean itself off Russian natural gas, the broader question arises: Are renewable technologies like solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles enough to address both the energy and climate crises?
The answer lies not just in the adoption of renewable technologies but in a profound reevaluation of our energy consumption patterns, the global distribution of energy resources, and the environmental impacts of energy extraction. This is where design comes into play. A century-long relationship between energy and design reveals that significant shifts in energy regimes have often coincided with innovations in design, especially during times of crisis.
The historical nexus between Design and Energy
The interplay between design and energy has a rich history. As early as 1924, the first World Power Conference in London discussed coal, oil, and hydropower as key energy sources. By the late 1920s, visionary architects and engineers like Herman Sörgel and Hermann Honnef were already imagining a Europe powered exclusively by hydropower and experimenting with massive wind power plants to supply electricity across Germany.
However, the rise of industrial design in the 1930s saw it becoming an advocate and beneficiary of Petromodernity, with streamlined design symbolizing the efficiency and appeal of coal and petroleum-powered mobility. Meanwhile, designers embraced the petrochemical industry, finding ever more uses for oil-based plastics, which became integral to the consumer goods market.
Despite this alignment with fossil fuels, design has continually revisited alternative energy sources. The scarcity of raw materials during World War II spurred innovation in solar energy, with figures like Mária Telkes developing solar houses and Bell Labs pioneering solar cells.
However, the post-war expansion of nuclear power and cheap oil delayed the widespread adoption of these technologies. The 1973 oil crisis marked a turning point, leading to a resurgence of interest in alternative energy and inspiring iconic symbols like Anne Lund’s “Smiling Sun” for the anti-nuclear movement.
The role of Design in the Energy transition
3. Marjan van Aubel, Sunne, solar powered lamp, 2022, © Marjan van Aubel
Today, as we stand on the brink of a new energy era, design's role is more crucial than ever. The exhibition "Transform! Designing the Future of Energy" at the Vitra Design Museum explores how design can catalyze the transition to renewable energy. The exhibition showcases over 100 projects that highlight innovative and experimental approaches to product design, architecture and urban planning.
The exhibition begins with "Human Power," inviting visitors to explore their own potential for generating energy. Through interactive exhibits like stationary exercise bikes that generate electricity, the exhibition emphasizes the physical and political dimensions of energy. A collection of posters and protest signs documents the evolution of energy policies and the impact of grassroots activism on shaping them.
In the section "Energy Tools," the focus shifts to products and prototypes designed for living "off-grid." Notable examples include Pauline van Dongen's Solar Shirt, which integrates photovoltaic cells into clothing and Stefan Troendle's Hydrogen Cooker, a prototype for a green hydrogen-powered stove. The exhibition also highlights historical projects like Charles and Ray Eames' Solar Do-Nothing Machine, illustrating that the concept of energy self-sufficiency has long been a source of inspiration for designers.
The "Transformers" section addresses architecture and mobility, two sectors responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption. The Powerhouse Brattørkaia in Trondheim, designed by Snøhetta, stands as a beacon of energy-positive building, producing twice as much energy as it consumes. In transportation, experimental solar-powered vehicles like the Covestro Sonnenwagen demonstrate the potential of integrating solar technology into mainstream mobility solutions.
Finally, "Future Energyscapes" delves into the spatial implications of energy production, distribution, and storage. This section explores visionary ideas for energy infrastructure, such as the Energiebunker in Hamburg, which repurposes a former air-raid bunker into an energy storage facility, and Carlo Ratti's Hot Heart project, which proposes using thermal energy storage to power the city of Helsinki.
The path forward: a new solar age
As we navigate the complexities of the energy transition, design emerges as a critical tool in shaping a sustainable future. The exhibition "Transform!"underscores that this transformation must go beyond expanding renewable energy sources. It requires intelligent design solutions for everyday objects, buildings, and infrastructure, as well as a shift in societal attitudes toward energy consumption.
The idea of a new solar age, one that replaces Petromodernity and the nuclear age with a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, holds great appeal. However, this transition must avoid repeating the ecological and social mistakes of the past. Issues such as the extractivism associated with renewable energy technologies and the spatial footprint of energy infrastructure must be carefully considered. Design, therefore, plays a vital role not only in creating new energy solutions but also in critically examining their broader impacts.
As the exhibition "Transform! Designing the Future of Energy" illustrates, energy is not just a technical challenge but one of the greatest opportunities to reshape our world. Through innovative design, we can create a future where energy is produced and consumed sustainably, equitably, and in harmony with the planet.
Informations about the exhibition
Place: Vitra Design Museum
Date: 23.03.2024 – 01.09.2024
Curators: Jochen Eisenbrand
Ticket: Available at the front desk of the museum
Informations about the Vitra Design Museum
Vitra Design Museum
Charles-Eames-Str 2
D-79576 Weil am Rhein
Phone: +49 76 21 702 3200
Fax: +49 76 21 702 3590
Mail: info@design-museum.de