Christopher Nunes, Miguel da Silva and Sheldon Vernon took up the challenge with the assistance of fellow pupil Darion Smyth.
Mr Shaun McGreer, a teacher at the school, said, “The idea was to build a fully functioning eco-house on a small scale. Siemens provided the equipment to do the programing so the lights could function separately and the geyser and pool pump would work on a timing system. A garage would be able to open and close while the fan in the sitting room was working. The key focus was innovation and cost effective saving of energy usage.
“The team of Jeppe boys decided to approach the challenge from a different angle,” he said.
They wanted to build a model which could sustain itself and hopefully be introduced on a larger scale for all homes one day.
They introduced ideas such as building a house consisting of solar panels at specific and researched angles to maximise the total energy available from the sun. They also introduced the use of a dynamo in the swimming pool to return some energy back into the electric system so it could be reused. A wind turbine, dark swimming pool and a harvesting system to be able to reuse water were some of the other ideas the boys introduced.
“Unfortunately, time became an issue and they were unable to get their electric system working after all the nights and early mornings. However, knowing their project was incomplete, they went into the competition working right up until the judges arrived and managed to sell their innovative ideas to the judges and ensure a respectable showing on the day,” said Mr McGreer.
Sheldon said, “The most noteworthy moment of our day was when the judges said we had the most unique, innovative and operative ideas and techniques implemented to our model.”
St John’s College won the event. Jeppe High School for Boys congratulated them and said they were honoured to have had the opportunity of competing and keeping the Jeppe name high.
Siemens, the University of Johannesburg and all others who helped the boys were also thanked.
