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Donegal County Council is set to become what is believed
to be the first local authority in Ireland to use water-powered
street lights.
The council’s energy development officer, Toni Needham, said
that a private company had been contracted to install a 'hydro
light' on a footbridge over the River Finn in Ballybofey.
She said that, once water levels drop, a micro hydro-turbine
will be installed under the bridge which links Jackson’s Hotel
and the scenic Drumboe Woods.
Water flowing downstream will pass through the 110watt turbine
and generate enough power to charge batteries which will run
the 30watt LED light on the bridge above.
The council is currently piloting a number of technologies
as part of their programme for renewable and low-energy lighting.
“I think this will be the first in Ireland and it will be
interesting to see how it works. It can produce enough energy
to power up to three lights. However, we will just use one
light at first” - Ms Needham said.
The hydro unit cost €3,000. The council provided €50,000
in 2008 to pilot alternative energy lighting.
LH Ecotech
Ltd in Co Laois has been contracted by the council
to supply and install hydro and solar power lights on the
Ballybofey bridge. Ecotech joint-owner, Jaune Henby, said
it had already installed two solar-powered lights on the bridge
and they are both working very well.
However, the hydro light in Ballybofey will be a first for
the developing company. “We only have done tests on the hydro
lights and have never installed one for a customer before.
However, we do know that they work” - he said.
He explained that the turbine unit would generate enough
power to run three lights on the bridge. A small solar panel
will also be fitted to the light as a back-up for the summer
months and for when the water level of the river is too low.
Source - The Irish Times
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