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A renewable energy company which claims to be the “Dyson of distributed power” with its off-grid hybrid streetlight system that combines wind, solar energy and a battery is set to expand in the UK.
Irish company Airsynergy’s Renewable Power Unit (RPU) uses a patented duct-augmented wind-turbine design that it claims can double the speed of the wind flowing past its blades. The turbine also starts operating at lower wind speeds than conventional designs.
Jim Smyth, chief executive of Airsynergy, said the RPU is a platform product that can be used for multiple applications, such as remote advertising signs, or to provide electricity for power tools: “We are often referred to as the Dyson of distributed power and we are positioning ourselves in that space,” he said. “We have invested over €12 million to get to this stage and are now ready to install more units across the UK.”
According to Airsynergy, an RPU system with two 260W solar panels, a 300W wind generator and a battery storage unit could generate up to 1,200kWh of energy annually if used at a 5m/s wind speed site with appropriate levels of solar isolation. The RPU is able to store energy for up to 12 days.
Airsynergy’s US sister company has installed USB ports on the streetlight systems in public areas, such as sports arenas and walkways, for people to charge phones or laptops.
The RPU is completely independent of any external power source, therefore removing the need to implement grid connections and removing costs associated with trenching, ducting or cabling.
Rob Baldwin, director of sales at Airsynergy, said: “We are speaking with a golf club that wants to bring our lighting to a driving bay and just the cabling cost alone would have been £10,000 in copper. In contrast our solution, including installation, costs £6,290.”
The RPU is installed at 25 sites globally, and Airsynergy has been in talks with major firms such as McDonald’s. The company has partnered with contract manufacturer Flextronics for its international distribution.