Developing the Single Household Hydropower Market for Turbulent

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

M.M. Bilsen Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

P. Cankurtaran Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior (mentor)
S. Carree Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior (graduation committee member)
G. Slachmuylders (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2022 Marijn Bilsen
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Published Date

29-08-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

This project aims to enlarge the impact of small-scale run-of-the-river hydropower for Turbulent. Turbulent has designed a unique low-head vortex hydropower turbine that creates renewable energy from the flowing of water. To find design opportunities, the company is analysed using stakeholder value mapping, a SWOT analysis, user interviewing, and Business Model Canvases. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Single Households are identified as interesting user groups to design for. The insights gained from interviews with IPPs are grouped in a strategic roadmap. The main insights for the IPP market revolve around the topics of partnerships, feasibility and viability studies, certification, manufacturing, and product offering.

For the single household market, a new way of working is proposed, where local contractors do most of the contact with single household clients. A customer journey for both single household clients as well as contractors is made to design a website. This website is used to test the market demand for single household turbines. Potential clients can pre-order a pico turbine (less than 5 kW) on this website (turbulentpico.be). Different price points are tested. It is found that there is enough demand for pico turbines that the design and engineering phase of the pico turbines can be started. It is recommended to start Turbulent Pico as a separate company.