Chalk Stream Monitoring

Chalk Stream Monitoring

Leading Edge Power was commissioned by EA to design a custom Off-Grid power system that overcame the specific challenges of their Ultrasonic monitoring system sited on the river Kennet. There were further complications as the only access to the river was across marsh land, and all equipment needed to traverse the river on a temporary pontoon bridge. The existing Off-grid power system had failed to survive the environment and hence power their monitoring equipment consistently throughout the year.

The Challenge

The challenge was to design a structure to provide a secure frame to house the solar panels, batteries, and equipment in a watertight environment above the flood levels of the river. Furthermore, the structure needed to be broken down into parts less than 25kg to enable them to be transported over the marsh land, across the temporary pontoon bridge and assembled on the existing concrete plinth on the side of the river during the summer. As the site was of scientific and historic interest, the system also needed to blend into the environment. Remote monitoring of all equipment was also required.

All hardware had to operate 12v through a regulated DC-DC. The equipment that needed continuous power were 6 x inputs into an Ultrasonic Nivuflow flow meter, an Outstation telemetry gateway, Modbus and Modem.

Renewable Energy Solution

Leading Edge designed, fabricated, built and installed our PowerKiosk station. Consisting of 2 x 450w Bifacial solar panels (900wp), 4 off 150ah Rolls Lifo batteriesand control gear contained within an IP65 rated cabinet built within the outer structure. The system has been operating without any issues since November 2024. The PowerKiosk is a product that we have since built and installed on a hillside in Scotland for ARQIVA.

Have A Site That Mains Power Can’t Reach?

Please enquire if you have a project that needs off-grid power in the most extreme environments on earth. Contact: sales@leadingedgepower.com

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