I'll be presenting at DC Climate week this Wednesday, April 22,
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM along with Terry Lee (Garvey Labs), Ernest Popescu (Metrobloks), and Trevor Lee (Olin Studio). Join us as we explore what is possible for the design of data centers and the energy landscapes that power them. See more:
Big news today! We're excited to be announcing the winner of the LAGI Fiji design competition. Roncelli Studio will be working with a team of local consultants to bring The O to life by this time next year!
A benefit of solar and wind not often discussed: Keeping family farms in the family.
“Solar and wind leases allow us to keep the ranch in the family versus selling it to some of the city folk who have a lot of money but don't know anything about ranching.”
A big win for the circular economy. Or at least for extending the life cycle of products in the linear economy.
Heat batteries are a game changer for decarbonising heat.
Polar Night Energy and Lahti Energia Oy have partnered to construct what is expected to become the world’s largest sand-based thermal energy storage system, to be built in Vääksy, Finland.
www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/worl...
Horizontal axis wind turbine in an open agricultural field with a clear but hazy sky. Pylon is hybrid truss (bottom) and monopole (top).
Interesting look on this new “self-erecting” wind turbine design, which reduces concrete volume in the foundation and makes installation faster.
reneweconomy.com.au/self-erectin...
Co-creating beautiful clean energy infrastructure with community in Fiji. Follow the progress with the review of the Stage 2 finalists in Suva. Announcement coming next week!
Prototype of "Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang. "Ligavatuvuce" was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation — a form celebrating the Fijian culture of giving.
Prototype of "The O" by Alberto Roncelli. "The O" was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules at up to 129 kW, providing a flexible venue for community activities.
Thanks to all the expert reviewers who gave their time and feedback; and to the residents of Marou Village — especially the four who made the long journey to Suva: Ilisari Naqau (acting Chief), Seru Lasa, Vika Lasa, and Villimoni Dau.
People learn about the project through the boards displayed on the prototype of "The O" by Alberto Roncelli. "The O" was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules at up to 129 kW, providing a flexible venue for community activities.
People learn about the project through the boards displayed on the prototype of "Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang. "Ligavatuvuce" was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation — a form celebrating the Fijian culture of giving.
Our sincere thanks to Fiji Arts Council Director Maciusela Raitaukala for making the display possible; to Loma Mataika, founder of Atelier153, who has been instrumental throughout prototyping; to CBS Power Solutions for the solar install...
Aerial rendering of "Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang. The prototype of "Ligavatuvuce" was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation — a form celebrating the Fijian culture of giving.
"Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang. The prototype was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation.
Aerial rendering of "The O" by Alberto Roncelli. the prototype not on display was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules at up to 129 kW, providing a flexible venue for community activities.
"The O" by Alberto Roncelli. The prototype was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules (up to 129 kW), providing a flexible venue for community activities.
Prototype of "Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang seen illuminated at night. "Ligavatuvuce" was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation — a form celebrating the Fijian culture of giving.
Prototype of "The O" by Alberto Roncelli at night hosting a gathering of Suva residents for kave. "The O" was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules at up to 129 kW, providing a flexible venue for community activities.
In April, we'll announce the Stage Two winner and begin the next steps toward construction. See the last two images for aerial renderings of what each will look like when completed.
Prototype of "Ligavatuvuce" by Young Kang. "Ligavatuvuce" was fabricated and installed by Permal Construction. It represents a 60% scale portion of the full 120 kW proposal. Its functional solar modules are illustrative of the 181 that will comprise the complete installation — a form celebrating the Fijian culture of giving.
Prototype of "The O" by Alberto Roncelli. "The O" was fabricated by Techlam and installed by Capital Construction. It is a 1:1 mock-up of two modules from the full-scale design, which will include 56 similar modules at up to 129 kW, providing a flexible venue for community activities.
Thanks to Young Kang and Alberto Roncelli for successfully delivering functioning prototypes of their LAGI 2025 Fiji winning designs. Both projects are on display at the Fiji Arts Council in Suva through the end of May—activating the front lawn with light and power for music, kava, and performance.
LAGI 2025 Fiji was the 2nd most popular design competition last year according to Bustler. Thanks to everyone who made the project a success, including participating designers, local and international partners, jurors, and advisors. We're looking forward to implementation in 2026!
lagi2025fiji.org
The study assumes little reliance on the rest of the grid. In reality the capacity could be reduced substantially, but if you wanted to do it mainly “behind the meter” this is what it would look like.
Learn more, see all the numbers, and download a full resolution PDF —>
“How to Power a 2.2 GW A.I. Data Center with Solar Wind & Batteries Alone,” an information graphic by the Land Art Generator Initiative. The image shows the land area that would be required to build out the 11.5 GW of solar and wind nameplate capacity to supply reliable power to Amazon’s Project Rainier, the 2.2 GW data center in northern Indiana.
“How to Power a 2.2 GW A.I. Data Center with Solar Wind & Batteries Alone”
The image shows how we can build the solar, wind, and battery capacity to supply reliable power 24/7/365 to a mega project like Amazon’s Project Rainier in northern Indiana.
Ironically, even though their entire function relies on sound waves, thermoacoustic heat pumps are quieter than vapor compression heat pumps because they have no moving parts. The sounds are insulated by the device and partly below the range of human hearing.
👀 Resonance is magic.
Big implications for decarbonizing heavy industry. What do they sound like?
Follow this link for more about LAGI 2025 Fiji and read below to learn about the two winning projects from Stage One of the design competition.
He adds that LAGI projects will eventually be integrated into many communities, offering renewable energy and water solutions that are not only functional but also artistically designed to enhance village landscapes.
"Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya asked whether there are opportunities for similar projects across the country.
Gavoka confirmed that while Marou Village is the first site, similar projects will be implemented across the island as part of their sustainability framework."
"The Deputy Prime Minister says the first Pacific-based installation will be built in Marou Village on Naviti Island in the Yasawa Group."
"He says the project will enable children to study using solar-powered lighting and provide families with access to clean water harvested from the atmosphere."
"He explained that the winning designs are capable of generating up to 150 MWh and 120 MWh of clean energy annually, while harvesting between 1.2 million and 4.5 million litres of water each year."
"Gavoka says that Fiji’s hosting of LAGI 2025 marks a historic milestone, demonstrating the country’s commitment to climate action and sustainable tourism."
"While addressing Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka explained that the LAGI 2025 Fiji Exhibition is more than just an art display; it is a bold step towards climate resilience and sustainable development."
We look forward to working in collaboration with the government to deliver "renewable energy and water solutions that are not only functional but also artistically designed to enhance village landscapes."
We are honored to learn today that the Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, took the time today on the floor or Parliament to share the progress of LAGI 2025 Fiji on the occasion of the exhibition at Fiji Arts Council.
Learn more and see the innovative design solutions that merge art and architecture with solar energy and water systems at lagi2025fiji.org.
We're delighted to share this update on the LAGI 2025 Fiji project, which has advanced to the prototyping stage with an exhibition in Suva and design workshops in Marou, a remote island village where the co-design process will result in a solar & water project for climate resilience. Lots of photos!
Left: The O — a winning submission by Alberto Roncelli (Denmark) — incorporates solar photovoltaic and rainwater harvesting to produce 150 MWh of electricity and 1.2 million liters of filtered water each year. A submission to LAGI 2025 Fiji, held in collaboration with the Village of Marou. Right: Ligavatuvuce (Hands that Offer and Uplift) — a winning submission by Young Kang (United Arab Emirates and Australia) — incorporates solar photovoltaic, rainwater harvesting with biofiltration, and gravity-fed distribution to produce 120 MWh of electricity and 4.5 million liters of filtered water each year. A submission to LAGI 2025 Fiji, held in collaboration with the Village of Marou.
Both of the competition stage-one winning designers, Young Kang and Alberto Roncelli, will be there to meet you and talk about their projects, "Ligavatuvuce" and "The O" respectively, which they are in the process of prototyping in Suva.