Interesting Streetlights

Image borrowed from webecoist.com

In doing the previous post on alternate WECS’s (Wind Energy Conversion Systems) I ran across some interesting options for street lights that are powered by wind, solar or a combination of the two.  Some are more decorative than functional, but I thought they would be interesting to consider for the Sand Hill Farm project.  I’ve collected a list of interesting links below showing some of the innovations that are out there.  I’ve also included some pictures gleaned from the net.

E-Turbine image borrowed from alternativeenergyecogreen.blogspot.com

I also was impressed with the idea of the E-Turbine.  This bollard size WECS is designed to be installed along roads and take advantage of the constant rush of air caused by passing vehicles.  I would imagine these would be extremely efficient in underpasses and tunnels where that energy can be directed to the turbines and then employed to light the surrounding areas.  Each Turbine has a built in battery to store the energy produced.  This is similar to the idea previously posted here regarding paving tiles that steal the energy created by foot traffic.

With the currently proposed ordinance these may well be banned too.  0.5 Kilowatts (low end of proposed ordinance WECS definition)  is 500 Watts.   Street lights use bulbs averaging from 35 to 250 watts per hypertextbook.com  That means for a fixture using bulbs at the upper end of this scale, each bulb would require its own turbine to stay under the mandated wattage.

The Flow fixture by Igen Design.  Link:  http://www.coroflot.com/vasquez/Flow-public-lighting-for-the-Third-World

UGE Wind-Solar Hybrid Street Light

UGE’s whimsical  Wind-Solar Hybrid Street Light.    http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/solutions/wind-solar-hybrid-streetlights/how-it-works

Wind Tulip by Tuvia

Wind Tulip by Tuvie:    http://www.tuvie.com/windtulip-wind-powered-street-light-that-looks-like-a-tulip-flower/

Beach Lamp by Zengzhu Deng

Beach Lamp by Zengzhu Deng.    http://www.ecochunk.com/3777/2012/11/14/sea-and-land-breeze-power-the-eco-friendly-beach-lamp-concept/

Loopwing Korea’s WECS

Loopwing Korea powers clocks as well as street lights.    http://www.greendiary.com/loopwing-korea-unveils-self-powered-streetlight-wind-power-generator.html

Of these, I think I like the  UGE version with the banner option and wind/solar combination power.  Some of the links above talk about 400 watt bulbs, but assuming there is a battery to charge too, the wattage may well exceed the 0.5 Kilowatt limitation being proposed.  The wattage restriction would also limit the option of one turbine powering several lights.

The kind of creative thinking that creates these things won’t be stifled by Culver banning WECS’s.  The ban just stops the use of the new technology that’s out there. This is what I tried to suggest at the Plan Commission with limited success.