GS01

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
From a UX perspective, the main challenge was striking the right balance between creating an intuitive, accessible interface and addressing a complex, unfamiliar topic—how we source our electricity. Many people lack awareness of the origins of their power, making it difficult to communicate why tracking the power mix is important. The GS01 needed to simplify this concept without losing the depth of the data. The design focused on an ambient interface to make complex information easily digestible, while also encouraging further exploration and fostering a deeper understanding of the issue.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
My personal highlight was reaching the point where I had a hypothesis I could test with the Solar Tracker, an ambient device I built and used in a field study during initial research. The 'aha!' moment came while writing my thesis conclusion, realizing GS01’s real potential to engage people in this topic. A low point occurred with technical issues in building the Solar Tracker, caused by budget-driven workarounds involving LED wiring and power supply problems. The biggest breakthrough came when I realized that as I shift to a time-based electricity contract for my own energy optimization, I need a tool like the GS01- and so will others!

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In the next five years, I see GS01 being funded by a governmental or social impact organization to become a widely used tool in Berlin. It would include an open-source energy management platform to simplify complex data via a mobile app, along with open hardware tools to track energy consumption and solar generation. Ideally, there would also be a community education component. Alternatively, the system could be adopted by commercial market leaders. Beyond the development of the GS01, I plan to continue designing tools to aid grid stabilization and urban renewable energy, and helping renters and apartment owners collaborate on rooftop solar initiatives to meet Berlin’s renewable energy goals.