Wind-powered generator tested by Post Office

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 2

Wind-powered generator tested by Post Office

J Wind can do more for the Post Office than just blow down telephone lines — it can be used to generate power. Post Office engineers completed field tests yesterday on a small wind-powered generator. The generator] was strapped to the top of a van and driven up and down the Old West Coast Road.

The acting divisional engineer (Mr R. E. Botting) said the Post Office was energy conscious, and also HadT . to.;. generate small amounts of electricity in re-

mote areas to power telecommunications equipment. The Post Office was testing the feasibility of using small wind-powered generators in areas such as the Chatham Islands where there! was no reticulated power. They , could also be used in the Rakaia Gorge and on ski-fields.'

The Post Office engineering division in Christchurch; had been, examining the idea for the last nine months, said Mr Botting. It had also spent.about two years exam-: ining solar power. The Auckland Post Office already had a wind generator on Great Barrier Island, said Mr Botting. . Yesterday’s test was very successful, and completed the first evaluation of the generator, said Mr Botting.

, The results would be fed into a computer for assessment.

| Mr Botting said he expected a wind generator to [be installed on the Chatham (Islands within the next six months. Data about the wind conditions had already, been collected.

The generator would be installed to power radio equipment on a trial basis. It was hoped that a comr posite system; using both wind and solar generators could be developed, Mr Botting said. He was confident that the wind generator was a viable power system. If it proved to be successful, the system could be expended to produce power on a larger scale.