Solar powered school lighting and computer system
We have developed and tested a school power system meant for developing
countries. A working model was built in a house in Esquimalt and has been
tested for about one year.
Using solar panels for power, nickel iron batteries for storage and leading
edge DC LED lights the system has an expected lifespan of about 30 years
without battery replacement.
The concept is to buld an Edison style power system that is low voltage DC
throughout. Since it is all low voltage it is impossible for anyone to be
electrocuted while working on the system and doing maintenance. Going totally
DC gives maximum efficiency for such a system and Nickel Iron batteries do not
expose developing countries to the pollution that lead acid batteries would
cause. It is both environmentally friendly and safer than anything currently
available.
The hardware design will be open source and available to the UN or other
groups offinger aid to developing countries.
Ian Soutar is a mechatronics product designer and founded Microsec
Research and Development Inc. in 1986. In the early 1980s he worked at the
NRC and developed solar thermal products through Norsun Solar in Ottawa
and later worked at the National Research Council of Canada on solar
thermal and solar voltaic research. He has been awarded some half dozen
patents for designs over the last 20 years and specializes in finding
the simplest approach to solving problems with microcontrollers or single
chip computers. Radio and communication technology are a special area of
interest. Ian is currently involved with Palcan Fuel Cells developing a
control system to simplify the usage of hydrogen systems by making them
almost as easy to use as batteries.
In 2007 Ian worked with Jim Harrington of Victoria to create Canada’s first
hydrogen assisted sailboat. Ian is also the founder of the Nickel Iron Battery
Association which is re-introducing the Edison Cell to the Solar Industry for
the storage of power. These remarkable batteries have a lifespan that can
reach 100 years and are the only environmentally friendly battery known.
Currently Microsec R&D Inc. is focusing on alternate energy control systems
design. Ian is a beekeeper and is working to discover ways to prevent the
“Colony Collapse Syndrome” that has killed many honeybees recently.
Ian has patents on a number of devices ranging from medical and industrial
tools, games, agricultural tools and communication systems. He specializes
also in radio communication.
