GrowFlowFly Final Report

Free Download

Last week, the final report for GrowFlowFly was published and can be downloaded free of charge as a PDF from ReNaTe (Repository for Natural Sciences and Technology) : https://oa.tib.eu/renate/items/8038eb24-6b6f-4897-9270-c6776b4b22e2

Excerpt from the summary“The increasing urgency of transforming energy systems calls for innovative approaches to optimally utilize energy and land-use potentials while more strongly integrating positive design potentials contributed by citizens. The aim of this research project was to develop a digital participation tool and to pilot it in two structural transformation regions (NW & ST) with both experts and citizens. The project conducted a comparative acceptance analysis between conventional renewable energy technologies - wind turbines and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems - and land-efficient innovative renewables, including agri-photovoltaics, floating photovoltaics, and airborne wind energy, while also evaluating the tool’s design and participation potential. In addition to the technological parameters of the renewable energy types, key acceptance factors, landscape-structural spatial requirements, as well as user experience and gamification elements were developed interdisciplinary as framework parameters for the gamification tool.(...)”

GrowFlowFly is a prime example of what can be achieved when science, experience design, and technology work together as a team. Since User Experience Design can help convey comprehensive content and information playfully to users without prior knowledge, the usage of UX in research projects can play a decisive role. 

More about the participating companies and organisations

• The network partners and their contact persons: Technische Universität München (TUM) – Prof Dr Sören Schöbel-Rutschmann, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) - Prof Dr Gundula Hübner (Environmental and Social Psychology), RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) – Prof. Dr Dieter Moormann (Institute of Flight System Dynamics), aratall GmbH, Osnabrück – Stefan W. Kauling, https://www.aratall.com/
• Associated project partnersTU Delft, Projekt MEnergie (TH Köln et al.), Kreis Düren, Gemeinde Aldenhoven, Energieavantgarde Anhalt e.V. Dessau, Airborne Wind Europe aisbl - Brussels, regstrom e.V. Halle, Saline Technikum (Berufliches Bildungswerk e.V., Halle Saalkreis), Next2Sun Agri-PV - Dillingen/Saar, Krinner GmbH Agri-PV - Straßkirchen, BayWa r.e. - Projektentwicklung PV DE München, Stadtwerke Düren

More GrowFlowFly News on our Studio Blog: 

• The game for the energy transition - MDR reports on the first tests of the GrowFlowFly project – Juni 2024
• Together for a sustainable future! Start of cooperation with the TU Munich in the joint project GrowFlowFly – November 2023

Citizen participation through gamification: the innovative approach of the GrowFlowFly project

The aim of the research project is to develop a computer game that can be used to involve citizens in regional planning for the expansion of renewable energies at an early stage. In the long term, the aim is to increase acceptance of the energy transition. Citizens can design their personal, ideal landscape with renewable energies on a playing field and thus not only achieve that their municipality becomes climate-neutral, but also generate income for the municipality, among other things.

The project is still under development. The current status has now been tested for the first time in an initial expert test in Bitterfeld by our project partners from MLU Halle-Wittenberg and TU Munich. The MDR was there and reported on it.

Excerpts from the news report and a report can be found on the MDR website: www.mdr.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/computer-spiel-energie-wende-buerger-beteiligung-100.html

Why user experience design is crucial for the success of the energy transition

We are convinced that a good UX can make a significant contribution to the success of socially relevant projects. This is because good UX can help to increase user acceptance and engagement in complex and technical topics such as renewable energy. UX can also help to convey comprehensive content and information to users without prior knowledge in a playful way. All of this can in turn support research.

The first tests have already provided us with information about the content and processes we need to focus on for the next development phase. The next tests will be carried out in autumn not with experts, but with citizens. It remains exciting!

More about the GrowFlowFly project in the Studio Blog: Together for a sustainable future! Start of cooperation with the TU Munich in the joint project GrowFlowFly

More about the participating companies and organisations

• The network partners and their contact personsTechnical University of Munich (TUM) - Prof Dr Sören Schöbel-Rutschmann, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) - Prof Dr Gundula Hübner (Environmental and Social Psychology), RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) - Prof. Dr Dieter Moormann (Institute of Flight System Dynamics), aratall GmbH, Osnabrück - Stefan W. Kauling, https://www.aratall.com/
• The associated project partnersTU Delft, Projekt MEnergie (TH Köln et al.), Kreis Düren, Gemeinde Aldenhoven, Energieavantgarde Anhalt e.V. Dessau, Airborne Wind Europe aisbl - Brussels, regstrom e.V. Halle, Saline Technikum (Berufliches Bildungswerk e.V., Halle Saalkreis), Next2Sun Agri-PV - Dillingen/Saar, Krinner GmbH Agri-PV - Straßkirchen, BayWa r.e. - Projektentwicklung PV DE München, Stadtwerke Düren

Agri-photovoltaics (APV), floating photovoltaics (FPV) and airborne wind energy (AWE) are largely unknown technologies and pose specific questions about social acceptance despite, but also precisely because of their particularly extensive use of space and tendency towards ubiquitous, but also temporary, spatial distribution.

In order to actively involve citizens in the design process, a gamification tool for simulation is being developed. This innovative simulation uses virtual reality and augmented reality to give citizens a realistic preview of potential changes in their neighbourhood.

BIRD UX will support the TU Munich within this project concerning the conception and design of a user experience concept and layout, taking into account gamified interaction scenarios. Furthermore, a prototype will be developed, tested and evaluated by focus groups in specific regions in Germany.

This research project within the network represents a significant step towards a sustainable and participatory energy future. We look forward to making a contribution to shaping a sustainable future!

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag and will run until April 2025.

To the TUM press release: https://www.arc.ed.tum.de/en/lareg/research/renewable-energy-landscapes/growflowfly/

More about the companies involved in GrowFlowFly

About the partners

• Technical University of Munich (TUM): Prof Dr Sören Schöbel-Rutschmann
• Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU): Prof Dr Gundula Hübner, Environmental and Social Psychology 
• RWTH Aachen University (RWTH): Prof Dr Dieter Moormann, Institute of Flight System Dynamics
• aratall GmbH, Osnabrück: Stefan W. Kauling, https://www.aratall.com/

About the Associated Project Partners

• TU Delft
• MEnergie project (TH Köln et al.)
• Düren district
• Municipality of Aldenhoven
• Energieavantgarde Anhalt e.V., Dessau
• Airborne Wind Europe aisbl, Brussels
• regstrom e.V. Halle
• Saline Technikum (Berufliches Bildungswerk e.V., Halle Saalkreis)
• Next2Sun Agri-PV, Dillingen/Saar
• Krinner GmbH Agri-PV, Straßkirchen
• BayWa r.e., Project Development PV DE Munich
• Düren municipal utilities

About BIRD UX Studio

BIRD UX Studio are a research and user experience design studio based in Berlin and Mannheim. We specialise in experience design for cross-platform digital products and services. We have been supporting companies and organisations with user research, UX strategy, interaction and visual design since 2011.

AddressRheindammstraße 19, 68163 Mannheim
Website: www.birdux.studio