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Sydney, Australia:
For PowerStack, technology partnerships with device providers in security, lighting and communications are really important to how we educate the market. So when the team at Bosch asked us to help them out with off-grid power for a demonstration, the answer was of course, yes!
The Bosch team were working with Lexus (Part of the Toyota Group) to set up a demonstration of a ‘Cooperative Intelligent Transport System’ (C-ITS), to showcase how ‘advanced technology can create a safer and more inclusive urban environment, particularly for the elderly and those requiring assisted movement.’
The demonstration brought together key partners including Ohmio (provider of an autonomous shuttle), Commsignia (V2X or ‘vehicle to everything’ communications), Bosch Australia (Infrastructure sensor and camera), Aptella (specialists in mapping and positioning technologies) and of course Lexus, with their C-ITS vehicle. The demonstration was run in cooperation and collaboration with ITS Australia, and Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The demonstration consisted of a number of simulations showing how vehicles and infrastructure could receive reports about their activity, (shared awareness), how they can receive information about their environment (shared perception) and then how they can coordinate their behaviour on the basis of key triggers (shared intention).
An example might be a vehicle approaching an intersection, and a jogger running perpendicular to the approaching vehicle, looking to cross the intersection. The Bosch camera (A Dinion 7100ir) is positioned to see to the pedestrian, and is paired with a Commsignia V2X device that has the ability to alert the smart Lexus vehicle, using a CPM, or Collective Perception Message. The desired outcome is that the driver of the vehicle has enhanced awareness of potential risks through this notification and can act accordingly, improving safety for all road users and pedestrians.
There were numerous other scenarios run as part of the demonstration, showcasing the possibilities of the technologies involved.
In each scenario, the solutions these technologies create is essentially a network of data exchange between vehicles (vehicle to vehicle or V2V and vehicle to everything, V2X), cameras, road users with wearable monitoring devices, and other road users and pedestrians. This data can then be used to provide alerts and notifications to the relevant vehicle or road user to prevent collisions and positively impact useability and safety of shared roadways.
You can read the full media release on the demonstration here.
For a temporary demonstration like this, the costs of accessing the local grid power would have been prohibitive and disruptive. Similarly, a flat angle solar trailer would have been in shade for much of the day due to the location of the installation. Only capturing sunlight for a short time would have made uninterrupted power supply a challenge.
PowerStack’s vertical solar poles maximise sun capture with their 4-sided design. This provided a 100% off-grid, reliable power supply for the demonstration devices. Plus, as PowerStack is technology agnostic and highly flexible, the pole was able to integrate easily with the Bosch camera and Commsignia infrastructure. Although typically PowerStack poles are secured into the ground, in this temporary installation, the pole was deployed using a mobile trailer.
But it’s not just temporary installations where PowerStack and renewable technologies will play a valuable role in deploying infrastructure like this. As the demand for connected devices and spaces grows, and with the smart cities market valued at $550 billion alone in 2023, the increased deployment of powered infrastructure will need alternative power sources.
The existing coal-fired electrical grid is not designed to handle the surge in power needs that connected devices present, and renewable power sources are filling that gap.
The particular benefit of PowerStack for these kinds of installations, is that it’s designed to be deployed easily and quickly. Unlike wind or traditional flat panel solar, there’s no bulky external components. The sleek modular design of the vertical solar poles means they can be installed efficiently, and with minimised disruption, even in urban environments. This enables deployment of this kind of infrastructure, en masse.
Speaking about the call-up for involvement with the demonstration, PowerStack CEO, Michael Bragg commented,
“We were more than happy to assist Bosch and the Lexus team with off-grid power provision for this demonstration. It’s a great use of the PowerStack technology, and even though this was a special ‘mobile’ version of our pole, we know the setup could be used as a fixed install for this kind of technology, deploying connected device solutions without putting additional pressure on the grid. That’s a win-win in our eyes, and we look forward to working with the team on future innovations.”
Contact our friendly team to find out more.