Helix Wind to power California cell towers

subscribe

Helix Wind Corp., a global renewable energy company, announced it will begin a technology demonstration and test of two small wind turbines to power cell phone towers in Southern California. The turbines will be installed by early 2010 and the test will run for one to three months.

In addition to powering the towers, the test will explore the feasibility of selling power back to the electrical grid under a Power Purchase Agreement. In association with Core Communications Group on behalf of its tower company client, Vertical Green, the test will represent one of the first grid-connected cell sites powered by renewable energy in Southern California.

This market segment is of great interest to Helix. There are approximately 3,500 cell phone towers in Southern California, and due to the continued expansion of broadband wireless, the data volume of which has doubled in the past three years, an additional 1,000 to 1,200 towers should be brought on line over the next five years.

“Helix remains committed to developing innovative solutions that can power cell phone towers with wind power,” noted Ian Gardner, Helix Wind CEO. “We are actively pursuing opportunities in this space, and are excited to be working with Core Communications on a test so close to home. Even grid connected cell phone towers can benefit from renewable energy, and wind power can dramatically reduce the emissions and carbon footprint associated with them. Under the right conditions, the towers may even be able to produce surplus energy, providing an additional revenue stream to tower owners. We look forward to getting started on the test.”

Keith Pinter, chairman of Core Communications Group, said, “Working with industry thought-leader Helix has been a pleasure, and we are anxiously awaiting the start of the tower testing phase. In addition to the turbines themselves, we’re looking forward to input from Helix related to power delivered, per-kW economics and the various renewable energy incentives available to our company.”

“Core Communications is committed to reducing the total cost of ownership for our wireless carrier clients as well as solving zoning challenges which may encumber 4G network deployments,” Pinter said. “We are excited about managing this deployment for highly innovative tower company Vertical Green, and following this proof-of-concept stage, we will explore advancing our relationship with Helix into a full rollout.”

Related News

840 million people have no electricity – World Bank must fund more energy projects

WASHINGTON - Why isn’t the World Bank using all available energy resources in its global efforts to fight poverty? That’s the question I’ve asked World Bank President David Malpass. Nearly two years ago, the multilateral development bank decided to stop supporting critical coal, oil and gas projects that help people in developing countries escape poverty.

Along with 11 other senators, and as a member who votes on whether to give U.S. taxpayer dollars to the World Bank, I am pressing the bank to lift these restrictions. Developing countries desperately need access to a steady supply of affordable and reliable electricity to…

READ MORE
pickering NGS

Ontario Supports Plan to Safely Continue Operating the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

READ MORE

starting-texas-schools-after-labor-day

Starting Texas Schools After Labor Day: Power Grid and Cost Benefits?

READ MORE

Power Outage Disrupts Travel at BWI Airport

Power Outage Disrupts Travel at BWI Airport

READ MORE

NT Power

NT Power Penalized $75,000 for Delayed Disconnection Notices

READ MORE