Wind, solar hybrid offers solution for telecoms market

UK: Avea shows its commitment to the environment by using a hybrid solution as an alternative to diesel generators to power its telecoms base station.

This is the first Proven Energy wind turbine installed in Turkey for Avea, Turkey’s youngest operator in the telecoms market. The 6kW wind turbine was manufactured by Scottish firm Proven Energy and installed by Turkish resellers Girasolar.

The telecommunications market is one of the largest in Turkey and a hybrid solution is the answer to the problem of low energy supply at times when sun and wind strengths vary. Manufacturers of the installed Proven 6kW wind turbine are favourites in the telecoms markets due to the low cut in wind speed of 2.5 m/s and only requiring annual maintenance.

This mixed method of power generation is already well known in many sectorswith high energy needs. Installing a hybrid system has a quicker payback comparing solar panels and wind turbines alone and traditional diesel generators omit greenhouse gases that have a detrimental effect on the environment.

Girasolar director Erol Barendregt stated: “The hybrid solution is the best option because the sun and wind resources have opposite cycles and intensities during the day. Wind and solar power are understood to be among the best natural alternatives to fuel based electricity generation. Byusing both in a system that is designed to supplement each other you get a continuous and reliable power supply.”

Proven Energy head of business development Craig Jones, commented: "Our wind turbines are suited to the telecoms market due to their reliability in the market place. Proven Energy has worked with and are still working with some of the top names and glad to be working with Avea on their project."

Proven Energy installed their first wind turbine for the telecoms industry in 1999 for British Telecoms company BT. To date Proven Energy has worked with such names as Orange, Motorola and Vodacom.