The safety and convenience of streetlights are evident, and have been from the time of Dickens’ romantic gas-lit London streets. The tall electric poles we’re all used to put a heavy burden on most electricity grids, and more so on city grids. SavWatt, a company based in Baltimore, MD, USA, has come out with a wind-and-solar-energy-driven Eco-Pole which stays completely off the power-grid.
The company claims that their product is maintenance-free, and have recently feathered their cap with the installation of an Eco-Pole in front of the Department of Transportation building at 55 M Street, Washington, D.C. The Eco-Pole is a 60W freestanding LED (Light Emitting Diode) outdoor lighting system which requires no electric connection.
It is powered by solar panels and a wind turbine for which patents have been filed by SavWatt USA. The 60W streetlight comes with 50,000 hours of maintenance free operation, while the dual 90W solar panels provide a 36 hour battery back-up energy storage system. The Eco-Pole’s 300W micro wind turbine has a soft, lightweight hydro carbon polymer blade which is waterproof, rust-proof, pollution-free and with low noise output.
It has been designed to work even with a low startup wind speed, from any direction. The company says that the Eco-Pole was specially designed to replace the 250W metal halide lighting system with a minimal carbon footprint. The whole idea was to save on the cost of electricity through this innovative product, which is accomplished by independently producing its own power through wind and solar sources.
Electricity production is one of the major causes of depleting natural resources in the world today, and the use of renewable sources such as wind energy and solar energy can help to preserve our environment. In this connection, SavWatt founder and Vice President of Marketing says:
“SavWatt’s strategic installation in Washington, D.C. gives our Eco-Pole the spotlight it deserves, as we are now fielding requests from around the world. This initiative represents how Americans can innovate and deliver products that meet the needs of environmental stewardship, competitive pricing, and American job creation.”
Environmental friendliness in products has evolved from being a fad to a necessary responsibility through the green movement. Innovative, cost-effective and durable products which lead to the conservation of non-renewable resources, such as the Eco-Pole, are inspiring for engineers and designers who can come up with their own solutions to the resource crunch faced by nations across the world.
Via: GreenPacks
