Renewable Energy Innovation

Renewable Energy Innovation specialise in electrical and electronic systems for renewable energy projects, mainly solar, wind and micro-hydro. We focus on renewable energy based stand-alone power supply systems (off-grid systems). This includes power and energy monitoring, battery charge control and wiring systems. Our projects range from small, portable solar-powered systems, through pedal powered devices up to large multi-kilowatt photovoltaic arrays. Our projects pages contain details of some of the projects we have worked on. We also design, build and test bespoke pieces of renewable energy equipment. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

We already supply the pedalog - a power and energy monitor especially for pedal powered generators. It also works with other forms of energy generation such as solar and wind and also energy consumption of DC loads.

One issue was displaying the data so that it is interesting and informative. One customer (Magnificent Revolution) asked for a large display for use on their multi-bike generator. This would be for use at events where the crowd wanted feedback of how much power and energy they are generating.

I have been wanting to design and build an open-design, relatively inexpensive but fully functioned charge regulator for solar PV, wind, pedal and small hydro systems for a while now.

The majority of off-grid renewable energy systems are based upon lead acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries need to be protected from over-charging by the renewable energy source and over-discharging from the loads. This can be one with a series regulator (in the case of solar PV) or a shunt regulator (for PV, hydro and wind). Please check the web or my electrical design guide in the information section for more details.

In June, Rewired State in conjunction with the Guardian ran a competition called (H)activate. This was a hack weekend, where software developers get together and work on some form of software/hardware challenge. The focus of the competition was to develop a phone application relating to an international development issue. One of the competition prizes was a weekend training with Engineers Without Borders. The weekend challenge (which happened recently, Oct 15/16th) was to build a self-sufficient 'pop-up' office which can be deployed quickly and easily. I was asked to run the solar power workshop to provide the office with light and power.