Prototype project goals

The project's first goal is to confirm the SCAF concept. The project aims to reduce the ambient PM10 levels in the zone of effect by 15% to 20%. To achieve this the actual levels need to be known, therefore, the site pollution levels will be monitored from before construction begins and continue for approximately 18 months after construction is complete. These levels will be compared to previous measurements and levels recorded at other sites throughout the city.

Each SCAF tower contains a small windmill and is half covered in DSC solar panels. The second goal of this project is to measure the output and the efficiency of the towers and the DSCs. A minimum sized SCAF tower with an energy conversion rate of 0.75% half panelled in DSCs with an efficiency of 10%, should produce an average of 431KWh/mth (or enough energy for 2.5 Lausanne households a month). The electrical output of the towers will be monitored to check efficiency.

With the accomplishment of the first goal the third goal of improving the general health of the residents in the SCAF zone of effect is almost assured. This should result in fewer medical visits for pulmonary disorders. This will be checked via the health study by local doctors and hospitals. The study will monitor the number of visits, hospitalisations, sick days or deaths for particular problems associated with pollution, asthma or chronic or acute bronchitis for example.

The validation of the SCAF concept with the inclusion of DSCs will be a boost to the green market and increase the visibility of the prototype city and this technology.

With the documented success of a full-sized prototype, interest in the SCAF project should be stimulated internationally. The project aims to use this interest to galvanise a city/cites into building a complete SCAF network, DSC plant and implement the DSC sub project.