Solar powered runway lights at Southampton Airport (From Daily Echo)
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Solar powered runway lights at Southampton Airport
3:53pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in
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- By Simon Carr » Eastleigh Chief Reporter
Southampton Airport has become the first in the UK to install solar powered runway safety lights.
The hi-tech devices, nicknamed Wig Wags because of their distinctive flashing patterns, are used at intersections between the runway and taxiways to safely guide aircraft and vehicles.
Bosses say the new devices will save them £170,000 as they can be used in remote areas of the airport that would have otherwise required a electricity supply.
The batteries are charged via solar panels which convert the energy into electricity and store enough to operate lighting for up to 120 days.
Steve Thurston, Southampton Airport manager, said: "As the lights are 100 per cent solar powered, we've been able to minimise the environmental footprint and maintenance costs by using a renewable energy light source."
The innovative lights were successfully piloted at Southampton Airport during last winter and have now replaced the previous conventional lighting systems at a cost of £25,000.
Other users of the lights include the US Air Force and Army in Afghanistan and Toronto International Airport in Canada.
Comments(5)
Victorian Principles
says...
7:20pm Thu 2 Sep 10
MartinWellbourne wrote:A cost of £25k, and a projected saving of £170k. Recent studies show that 25,000 is actually less than 170,000. It doesn't take a genius to do the maths, but sadly, it seems, it's beyond the average simpleton.
"and store enough to operate lighting for up to 120 days".
.
So plain old battery powered units were no good then? Fortunately this isn't my money being spent.
.
In other news comments on the ex-Police officer have been removed. Why does the Echo even offer comments on stories like that? Well Phil?
MartinWellbourne
says...
7:26pm Thu 2 Sep 10
Victorian Principles wrote:The savings were against mains powered units being installed and the cabling cost. Given that battery powered units would work just as well subtract the cost of the electricity supply and recalculate.
MartinWellbourne wrote: "and store enough to operate lighting for up to 120 days". . So plain old battery powered units were no good then? Fortunately this isn't my money being spent. . In other news comments on the ex-Police officer have been removed. Why does the Echo even offer comments on stories like that? Well Phil?A cost of £25k, and a projected saving of £170k. Recent studies show that 25,000 is actually less than 170,000. It doesn't take a genius to do the maths, but sadly, it seems, it's beyond the average simpleton.
.
Remember, irrespective of which power source is used these units must be checked daily.
.
Recent postings suggest you need to engage your grey matter.
X Old Bill
says...
7:28pm Thu 2 Sep 10
The one point that I am slightly puzzled by is the claim that the new wig-wags can be used in remote areas of the field - If that is the case what have they been using to control ground traffic until now?
Look left, look right, whoosh!
Victorian Principles
says...
7:35pm Thu 2 Sep 10
MartinWellbourne wrote:Is that a given? The story doesn't say so. If you have more info, share it.
Victorian Principles wrote:The savings were against mains powered units being installed and the cabling cost. Given that battery powered units would work just as well subtract the cost of the electricity supply and recalculate.
MartinWellbourne wrote: "and store enough to operate lighting for up to 120 days". . So plain old battery powered units were no good then? Fortunately this isn't my money being spent. . In other news comments on the ex-Police officer have been removed. Why does the Echo even offer comments on stories like that? Well Phil?A cost of £25k, and a projected saving of £170k. Recent studies show that 25,000 is actually less than 170,000. It doesn't take a genius to do the maths, but sadly, it seems, it's beyond the average simpleton.
.
Remember, irrespective of which power source is used these units must be checked daily.
.
Recent postings suggest you need to engage your grey matter.
Costs of other activities such as checking the units are irrelevant, since they apply regardless of the underlying technology. I'll assume you accidentally posted that by mistake, in error.
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MartinWellbourne says...
5:21pm Thu 2 Sep 10
.
So plain old battery powered units were no good then? Fortunately this isn't my money being spent.
.
In other news comments on the ex-Police officer have been removed. Why does the Echo even offer comments on stories like that? Well Phil?