GE RENEWABLE RESERVOIR
When General Electric was developing an energy storage unit to be used with solar fields and wind farms, they came to Brownlie Design. The first phase of the project was to develop a look that would generate excitement about the future of clean energy and help promote the project. The concepts were based on the working prototype, housed in a shipping container, and used cosmetic skins to manage heat and visually convey GE’s commitment to clean energy. Brownlie Design constructed a full-scale appearance model for GE’s in-house presentation. The next stage of the project was to work with GE engineering to develop an enclosure that met accessibility, cooling, weatherproofing, transportation, and installation requirements, and had a distinctive appearance that evoked the cutting-edge technology inside.
PLUG POWER HOME ENERGY STATION 3
Brownlie Design partnered with Plug Power and Honda R&D Americas to design the enclosure for their Generation 3 Home Energy Station, a home refueling unit that produces hydrogen for fuel cell–powered cars. It also supplies heat for domestic hot water and electricity for the home. In addition to the design requirements for compactness, weather resistance, user ergonomics, and serviceability, the energy station had to be aesthetically different from existing power generation equipment. Standard sheet metal–forming methods, strong angled surfaces, and integrated air-flow features gave the enclosure an edgy automotive appearance reminiscent of Honda’s Acura product line. The HES 3, in conjunction with the Honda FCX Fuel Cell Vehicle, is a comprehensive approach to the advancement of a hydrogen-based transportation system. This exciting new product was further distinguished when it won a Gold Medal in the Major Home Appliance category and was awarded “Best in Show” in Appliance Design Magazine’s Excellence In Design Awards.
PLUG POWER HOME ENERGY STATION 2
The predecessor to the HES 3, the HES 2 was also a winner of the Excellence In Design award from Appliance Design Magazine. This was the first collaboration between Brownlie Design, Plug Power and Honda R&D Americas. The HES 2 is a home refueling unit that produces hydrogen from natural gas for fuel cell vehicle refueling. This compact, fully integrated system also produces heat for domestic hot water and electricity for the home. Brownlie Design worked closely with Honda and Plug Power to ensure the new design was attractive, simple to use, weather resistant and easy to service.
PLUG POWER FUEL CELL HEATING APPLIANCE
Plug Power’s High Temperature Fuel Cell Heating Appliance was designed to introduce fuel cell technology to the domestic market. Brownlie Design was responsible for the development of the enclosure and user interface from concept design through preproduction prototyping. We developed interface icons that would easily communicate critical system functions to the homeowner. The fully functional unit was introduced at Germany’s Hannover Fair, Europe’s premier green technology showplace. The FCHA generated a lot of interest, launching the product into stage two of limited production for the early adopter market. The design has been very well received and was awarded a Silver Medal in Appliance Design Magazine’s Excellence In Design awards competition.
