EnergiPlant creates excitement
The EnergiPlant was installed in front of the IPJ on Aug. 2.
Thomas Christensen/The USD Vista
New invention promotes renewable sources of energy
Amy Inkrott | News Editor | The USD Vista
Among the plants in front of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, one flower towers above the others. Its white petals turn to face the cool ocean breeze, while the large green leaves soak up the San Diego sunshine. Fueled by the natural elements, the EnergiPlant comes alive.
The new EnergiPlant was installed in front of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (KIPJ) on Aug. 2. Using only renewable forms of energy, this new sculpture provides students with a place to charge their devices while spending time with their peers.
The EnergiPlant was developed by Ned McMahon, Primo Wind’s CEO and member of the Kroc School of Peace Studies Advisory Board. McMahon became interested in wind and solar energy during his time sailing and surfing throughout San Diego. He hopes that inventions like the EnergiPlant will help combat the effects of climate change and bring greater attention to sources of renewable energy.
“Our goal is to have reliant and resilient power anywhere in the world – urban and rural,” McMahon said. “We, at Primo Wind, always believed micro-wind and micro-solar is an ‘and’ rather an ‘or’. There is no better way to get off the grid power.”
The sculpture is both artistic and innovative. It operates using only the wind and solar energy it creates. The EnergiPlant is a free-standing Nano grid, meaning it does not require any hard wiring or foundation, allowing the installation to be completed in just under two hours. Together, the flower’s petals form a wind turbine, while the leaves are covered with solar panels. This is especially appropriate at USD, where the sculpture has plenty of exposure to sunshine and sea breeze. These aspects produce energy to power the plant’s numerous charging ports. The sculpture contains both outlets and USB ports, providing students with a place to charge their cell phones and computers.
The Kroc School installed the EnergiPlant as a reminder of the world’s need for sustainability and social justice. Patricia Marquez, dean of the Kroc School of Peace Studies, explained how this new endeavour relates to that mission.
“The mission and the vision of the Kroc School center on preparing people for developing communities where there is peace and justice and all individuals feel safe and have the opportunity to thrive,” Marquez explained.
This addition to the Kroc School is reflective of USD’s identity as a Changemaker campus. As Changemakers, students are called to connect elements of their own lives to issues in the community. access to energy sources.
The people at the Kroc School hope that this new invention will spark a sense of curiosity in students, inspiring them to think about the impact they themselves can have on the community.
A sunny day outside of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Courtesy of the USD Media Gallery
Dean Marquez is also excited about the connections that can be made with the new EnergiPlant.
“At USD, the EnergiPlant will serve as a new hub of connections for people in the physical and virtual sense,” Marquez said.
Dean Marquez intends for the EnergiPlant to be the beginning of a new “sculpture garden” for the Kroc School. Students are encouraged to consider the ways in which artistry and innovation can be combined to create similar inventions.
“We envision a USD garden where people can be inspired not only by the beauty of our campus but by seeing and touching things that we can create here to change the world for the better,” Marquez said.
Inventions similar to the EnergiPlant can be used to foster a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society. Sophomore Regina Gaffney is excited about the new EnergiPlant and its potential applications.
“I can see them being installed in places like parks and outdoor malls. People are always needing to charge their phones. This invention makes that convenient and efficient,” Gaffney said.
This new gathering place was installed this past month and is ready to be enjoyed by the USD community.