KINDOW – Intelligent Sun-tracking for Vertical Blinds

Project Information

KINDOW

Grant agreement ID: 827538

DOI

10.3030/827538

Project closed

EC signature date 1 August 2018

Start date 1 September 2018

End date 31 December 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

KINDOW BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KINDOW (KINDOW – Intelligent Sun-tracking for Vertical Blinds)

Reporting period: 2018-09-01 to 2018-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emission in the EU. By improving the energy efficiency of buildings, both can be reduced by about 5%. Solar shading can be an effective measure to ensure a working and/or living environment with optimal balance between natural light and visual comfort, while reducing energy consumption. Kindow develops wise sun- and daylight control systems. Kindow Verticals is an automated vertical blind system that enables energy savings on cooling, heating and lighting while visual and thermal comfort are maximized. Kindow is an effective energy saver all year around, responding to the sun movement, allowing better glare control while allowing openness for a view and the transmission of diffuse daylight for natural lighting. During the SME Instrument Phase 1, we have been gathering feedback not only from the locations where we have done the first installations of our systems, but also from architects, builders, and distributors among others, to evaluate our design and the features planned for the Phase 2 project. With this approach, we have ensured that we will comply with all the desired requirements from each part.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the realisation of the Feasibility Study we have describe in detail the next steps to follow in order to bring the innovation to commercialisation, such as: identification of the activities and upgrades required to reach TRL9, work packages and budget preparation for ph2, identification and definition of the full supply chain, definition of the business model and commercialisation strategy, risks, market and competitors’ analysis, etc.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We have a first preliminary version of Kindow Vertical proven in relevant environment. Our current stage of development is TRL7. However, it requires incremental improvements and new features that will increase the chance of commercial success substantially: redesign of internal components of the rail for a better assembly and installation process and easier in use. Kindow is the only solution that integrates sun tracking and autonomously controls the positioning of the blinds according to the optimised balance between visual and thermal control. Kindow differentiates from other competing solutions as it also optimises daylight use and increases energy savings. Apart from its superior performance, Kindow offers an affordable alternative to other motorized blind systems, with a competitive pricing that reduce to a bare minimum the installation costs.

Kindow system benefits

Kindow rail