Scenario: Critical thinking Real-life Problem
Sample Solution
Introduction
Jamal, a renowned chef, attributes his culinary success to his Grandma's guidance and cooking expertise. To honor his Grandma and continue her culinary legacy, Jamal invites her to live with him. However, his Grandma's memory lapses make it challenging for her to cook independently. To address this, Jamal decides to renovate his kitchen, incorporating modern appliances and a solar battery system to ensure reliable and economical power supply.
Kitchen Design and Appliance Selection
To accommodate his Grandma's needs and ensure a functional and efficient kitchen, Jamal selects the following appliances:
Full Answer Section
- Induction Range: Induction cooking offers precise temperature control, enhanced safety, and energy efficiency, making it an ideal choice for Jamal's Grandma.
- Microwave/Smart Oven: A combination microwave and oven provides versatility for quick meals, baking, and reheating. Smart features allow for easy operation and recipe guidance.
- Electric Espresso Maker: An espresso maker adds a touch of luxury and convenience for Jamal's daily coffee routine.
- Smart Refrigerator: A smart refrigerator offers advanced features like temperature monitoring, food inventory tracking, and recipe suggestions.
Solar Power System Design
To power these appliances and provide reliable electricity, Jamal installs a solar battery system comprising:
- Solar Panels: Considering the average sunlight hours, Jamal installs 10 solar panels, each generating 300 watts, for a total capacity of 3 kW.
- Solar Charge Controller: A solar charge controller regulates the flow of energy from the solar panels to the battery, preventing overcharging and ensuring optimal battery performance.
- Solar House Battery: A 48-volt, 10 kWh solar house battery provides enough storage capacity to power the kitchen appliances for extended periods, even during overcast days.
- Inverter: An inverter converts the stored DC power from the battery to AC power, which is compatible with the household appliances.
Cost Estimation
The estimated cost for the kitchen renovation and solar power system is as follows:
- Induction Range: $1,500
- Microwave/Smart Oven: $700
- Electric Espresso Maker: $200
- Smart Refrigerator: $1,000
- Solar Panels (10 panels): $3,000
- Solar Charge Controller: $200
- Solar House Battery: $2,000
- Inverter: $500
- Kitchen Remodeling Labor: $3,000
Total Cost: $12,100
Why This Design Best Suits Jamal's Needs
This kitchen design and solar power system best suit Jamal's needs due to the following reasons:
- Functional and User-Friendly Appliances: The selected appliances are easy to operate and offer advanced features that cater to Jamal's Grandma's needs.
- Reliable and Sustainable Solar Power: The solar power system provides a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, reducing reliance on the grid and minimizing environmental impact.
- Cost-Effective Solution: The total cost of the renovation and solar power system falls within Jamal's budget of $15,000.
- Long-Term Benefits: The solar power system offers long-term cost savings on electricity bills and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Conclusion
The proposed kitchen renovation and solar power system provide Jamal with a functional, user-friendly kitchen that caters to his Grandma's needs while ensuring a reliable and economical electricity supply. The design aligns with Jamal's budget and offers long-term benefits, making it an ideal solution for his household.