In 2006, Pine Ridge Products contacted us looking for equipment to test their upcoming Wren micro wind turbine. We jumped at the opportunity and developed a custom turbine-top data acquisition system − the WrenDAQ − which they used throughout their field testing. As Pine Ridge Product’s data needs changed, we developed new versions of the WrenDAQ and even deployed a WrenDAQ equipped turbine at a remote test site in Alaska.
Having proven ourselves with the WrenDAQ, Pine Ridge Products began using APRS World to perform design for manufacturing work and to develop the specialized tools, fixtures, and test equipment needed to produce what is now called the Chinook 200. The biggest piece of this equipment is the micro wind turbine dynamometer, which Chinook Turbines uses to test every turbine before it ships.
With turbines now ready to ship, Chinook Turbines needed a charge controller for their turbine. They turned to APRS World and we designed the DL300 integrated dump load and controller. As of now, Chinook Turbine has shipped many hundreds of these controllers and there has only been one field failure.
Based on our involvement with the Chinook 200, APRS World has been able to help other customers specify and use the Chinook 200. An example of this is the “Edison Interactive Renewable Energy Education Lab” developed by American Resource and Energy. It is a wind and solar powered street light that is used to teach students about renewable energy. APRS World also designed and manufactures the control and data collection system used by this product.
ARE Edison Interactive Renewable Energy Education Lab
Control system developed by APRS World:
- live internet-enabled data
- wind speed
- light intensity
- temperature
- turbine power, voltage, current
- solar power, voltage, current
- load power, voltage, current
- battery voltage
Complete system includes Chinook 200, solar panels, and tilt over tower to create an off-grid street light. Pre-wired and ready to go!