Solar-powered Wi-Fi Lampposts
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 01. 9.06
Internet users at the University of Abertay in Dundee, Scotland, will soon be able to read TreeHugger as they saunter down the street. Six of the solar-powered lampposts fitted with high-speed wireless internet gateways will be erected on a rooftop at the University, with plans for 4,000 more under the current project. The lampposts will still serve their original function, using TH fav light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide lots of light with just a little power, derived from the solar cells that will also power the wi-fi network. The firm in charge of installing and maintaining the lampposts, Compliance Technology (CTL), is excited about the future possibilities of the innovative lampposts. Says CTL's Calum McRae: "With only a fraction of the installation and running costs of conventional street lights, councils could use smart lampposts to provide street light while selling internet access to local residents, or even providing it free in areas of need...no local community needs to be without reliable street lighting, with the added benefit of wi-fi technology." ::BBC via ::Mobile Mag
This is excellent! These lamposts combine three of my favorite technologies - LEDs, solar power and wireless internet.
If they truly are 'a fraction of the cost of convetional lamposts' then I hope to see these new lamposts popping up everywhere as older ones are replaced.
I also know that many cities are currently coming up with and implementing plans to provide wireless internet to the entire city or at least the city core or other specific areas, my home city of Portland, Oregon included. These lamposts would be a perfect component of those plans and would have the added bonus of decreasing energy needs for the public lighting system as well. And if there's enough solar radiation in Scotland to make these things profitable, then there certainly would be in Portland and much more in other regions like California and the American Southwest.
and where better than dundee, the cheapest city in the cheapest country in the world!
Do not be misled, people. Scotland is far from cheap, especially Edinburgh. (Though CTP might be right about Dundee)
I think perhaps he was referring to the other connotation of 'Cheap', as in Scottish Money Proverbs and all:
"Get what you can and keep what you have; that's the way to get rich."
"Never marry for money. You can borrow it cheaper."
"Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves."
:)
but yeah these lamppost things are cool. They just need a clean & reliable battery/capacitor thingy.
I think this is great, I already heard about it at the end of last year from our head of department ( I am currently a student at Abertay ) and he hopes that this technology will be embraced not only by our university but our local council aswell. I think this can only be a good thing due to they are solar powered, and also offering wi-fi internet. Its just amazing yet so simple an idea.