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There’s Light at the end of the Tunnel

There’s Light at the end of the Tunnel. Team Cali Swag S. Cunningham K. Leonard R. Ottney P. Patil 12/10/2010. Overview. Objective was to create a green mobile base station in an area with an unreliable or nonexistent electrical grid.

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There’s Light at the end of the Tunnel

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  1. There’s Light at the end of the Tunnel Team Cali Swag S. Cunningham K. Leonard R. Ottney P. Patil 12/10/2010

  2. Overview • Objective was to create a green mobile base station in an area with an unreliable or nonexistent electrical grid. • Had to use renewable resources and GE Durathon batteries

  3. Location • Amraviti Province, India • Need for power and economic opportunity • Isolated from developed areas • Tribal people are main inhabitants who lack methods of communication

  4. Basic Specifications • 5.4 kW Photovoltaic system • 24.8 v GE DurathonNaMX battery • Biodiesel Press for generator • Solar water pump • Tower masked aesthetically as a tree

  5. Concept Selection • Cost/returns -can’t be too expensive • Ease of access/maintenance • Environment -low impact, no harm to land • Aesthetics -visually pleasing, yet subtle • People’s needs –doesn’t interfere with land or lifestyle

  6. Key Decisions: Energy • Use of photovoltaic cells due to high sunlight exposure • Biodiesel press and generator for additional energy needs and sustainability • Not optimal for wind turbines or hydropower systems

  7. Key Decisions: Cost Analysis • Panels $14,894.28 • Pump $ 712.00 • Tower $ 65,645.53 (includes base) • NaMX$ 8,000.00 • TOTAL $89,251.80 • Maint. $ 1,830.50/month • Rental $ (3,433.86+)/month • PROFIT$ 1,603.36+/month • Profit in around 4 years and 8 months

  8. Key Decisions: Community • Adds a vital form of communications • Enables new markets and more accessibility • Minimal negative impacts on people and environment • Adds economic opportunity for surrounding areas • Increases access to information such as education and healthcare

  9. Additional Features • Aesthetically minimalistic tree covering for tower • Water filtration and storage unit that provides the community with a water supply during the dry months • Solar pump uses excess energy in a socially responsible way

  10. Energy Analysis Based on the size of the 5.4 kW photovoltaic system, we calculated that the PV system would provide the majority of the energy for the year. The diesel generator would run for about two months based on actual weather conditions. *See slide 7 for Cost Analysis

  11. Simplified Visual Model

  12. Summary of Design Aspects • Wanted to keep costs low • Wanted to create a sustainable, low impact station • Needed to address community needs • Tried to find the least disruptive option to the people and landscape • Design would yield viable profits

  13. Challenges • GE’s lack of input on prices and insufficient information • GE’s pulling of vital material close to the deadline • Time constraints • Cost Analysis • Finding components • Calculating energy usage • Agreeing on a concept model

  14. Favorite Features • Everyone liked the aesthetics of the tower being disguised as a tree • Ryan liked the rainwater collection aspect • Scott liked the biodiesel press and profit ability • Prat liked the solar pump and filtration • Kevin liked the use of solar panels over other options and SketchUp model

  15. Reflection • It is very important to consider the human impact especially when working within a foreign land and culture. • Empathy is key • It is important to work with the system as a whole instead of individual parts • Profitability and cost force the alter the feasibility of many ideas • Time management, especially in groups, requires compromise

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