At the Renewable Energy World 2010 exhibition, Loopwing Korea demonstrated new streetlights powered by renewable energy. The unique loop-shaped structure of the wind power generators make it possible to convert wind speeds as low as 2m/s into electricity without making much noise. Designed for various environments from residential areas to remote alpine locations, the lighting system dubbed TRONC is an independent power supply unit that features a hybrid generation system of a PV panel and Loopwing Wind Turbine, Theta 1500 (1.5m diameter). The system supplies power to small electronics such as lights, clocks, and tele-communication devices. Using an optional built-in inverter, the power can be extracted through an outlet (socket) in case of emergencies.
The wind-solar hybrid system stably supplies power under various conditions such as a populated area with limited wind and a remote area with no power grid.
The μ series generators form part of the lighting system and include small and medium sized wind power generators, which can provide up to 11KW of renewable electric power.
Lighting the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge
An international team led by London based artist Peter Fink (Form Associates) and lighting designer Mark Major (Speirs & Major) in association with Buro Happold in Los Angeles has been announced as the winner of the largest interactive green energy lighting project in North America.
The wining concept envisages illuminating the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge with programmable LED lighting using electricity generated by wind turbines. The variable rate of traffic flow over the bridge will be expressed by parapet lighting programmatically reflecting the direction, speed and intensity of vehicle movements on the deck.
The lighting of the navigation span will express the nautical gateway function of the bridge and will have the capability to respond to the movement of larger ships. A secondary layer of lighting will light the bridge pillars. The San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, built in 1969 has a 2.5 mile long curved deck supported by over 30 towers reaching a height of 200ft over the navigation channel. The shipping channels are spanned by the world's longest continuous three-span box girder measuring 1,880ft.
These are just two examples of the possibility of energy harvesting lighting.
Sources and images: Loopwing Korea and World Architecture News
For more read : Energy Harvesting and Storage for Electronic Devices 2010-2020
