Students send stream of sustainable ideas
A potentially revolutionary water saving device has seen three Australian students represent at a global engineering competition in Amsterdam.
Monash students Ami Pasricha, Kali Wong and Horace Josh, working under the team banner of Innovative Engineers of Monash (IEM), were one of just five teams selected from over 650 entries to compete at the Shell Ideas360 competition.
The local team pitched ‘SMART Water’ to a jury of Shell executives and leading energy industry experts.
SMART Water monitors household water consumption, its costs and effects on the environment.
It shows water-usage activity, where and how water is used efficiently (to prevent waste), notifications on usage rates, tips and tricks for water-saving, and progress towards target goals.
Results can be accessed via the computer or a mobile app.
The team says it hopes to provide an opportunity for convenient and insightful water saving.
Team leader Ami says SMART Water combines the power of technology and intelligent metering to raise awareness and educate people about wise water use.
“SMART Water aims to change the water using lifestyle of all people, even children,” Ami said.
Meters could be attached to each tap in the household to monitor the water usage in real time. This data would be available to water users at their own discretion.
“User can also download an app, which will provide a personal platform for monitoring and reducing their water usage in a fun and interactive manner,” Ami said.
Ami said although they hadn’t taken out the top prize the experience was amazing.
“The whole experience was incredible from working with our Shell mentor Eric Seah who was absolutely amazing, to the great friendships we have developed with the other finalists and organising team,” he said.
“It has helped the team develop SMART Water into something that could drastically affect the water wasting habits of people all over Australia.”
IEM will also continue to develop SMART Water, hoping to have a completed product in the near future.