Project SURFAS set to deliver significant cost savings to consumers

Our latest project (SURFAS), led by Engineering University ESIGELEC, in Rouen France, will develop two energy saving devices that can be used with smoke alarms and Wi-Fi routers to make them more energy efficient, resulting in sizable cost savings for consumers.

The project aims to find a greener alternative to the current smoke alarms on the market by creating a self-powered energy device that works by using ambient electromagnetic waves. This device can then be used in place of batteries, making smoke alarms more energy efficient and much more cost effective for consumers.  With around 13.5 million smoke alarms in the France (Channel) England area alone (5.6 million in France and in 7.9 million England), annual energy savings could reach as much as 12.7MWh.

Project SURFAS will develop an additional device that will significantly increase the range of Wi-Fi signals produced by household routers without consuming additional power. The device would provide a more energy efficient alternative to the Wi-Fi boosters which are currently used to improve Wi-Fi signals. This could lead to an annual energy saving of 5.9GWh if all the 225,000 Wi-Fi boosters in the Channel area were replaced.

Once developed, the two devices will be shared with SMEs (more than 200 in the France (Channel) England zone) to encourage the uptake and long-term production of the devices after the project has ended.

Commenting on the project, Constant Niamien from lead partner ESIGELEC said: “I am delighted that this innovative project has been approved by the Interreg Programme. In addition to the greener impact of this project in the Channel area, I am confident that it will also help lead to new opportunities for SMEs and research groups in terms of new products, job creation and research collaborations.”

Lead Partner: ESIGELEC engineering school (Rouen, France)
Total Project Budget: 1.859 million euros
European Regional Development Fund contribution: 1.283 million euros
Number of Partners: 6 (3 French, 3 English)
Project Duration: 3-and-a-half years