Design and Development of Smart Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Green Buildings Using Hybrid Energy and IoT

¹ Civil Engineering Department, Mercu Buana University, Jakarta, Indonesia
² Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia
³ Department of Architecture, Mercu Buana University, Jakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: agung_wahyudi@mercubuana.ac.id

Abstract

This research presents the design and development of a Smart Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) system integrated into a green building using hybrid energy sources—solar and wind—supported by Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This study used the VDI 2221 engineering design methodology to systematically analyze, select, and develop a suitable RWH system design powered by solar cells and wind energy. The main objective of this research was to conduct a comparative analysis of various RWH tool designs to identify the most efficient and sustainable configuration to be applied in coastal and deltaic environments. This research method employed quantitative analysis and VDI 2221 analysis, a method for engineering product development developed by the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), the German Association of Engineers. This method has become an international standard in engineering design, especially in the fields of industrial engineering and in civil systems engineering. The research results indicate that there are three RWH design options for coastal areas, namely Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3. The best choice is Model 1, which utilises sturdy, rust-resistant, and wind-resistant materials and incorporates renewable energy and IoT technology. The wind power plant is capable of producing 32.42 kWh/day of electricity, while the harvested rainwater ranges from 43 mm to 1043 mm per month. A comprehensive design concept that aligns with green building standards and is feasible to implement an innovative and sustainable rainwater harvesting system.