A2 Continues with Green Mission

by Jaime Pfeffer

May 5th, 2008 in Ann Arbor, Architecture, Conservation, Design, Energy, Environment, Green, Jackson, Products

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Over the past month, I’ve written a handful of posts on Ann Arbor’s aggressive goals to become a more environmentally friendly city. There was this one about A2’s switch to LED traffic lights, and this one about its goal for 5,000 solar roofs by 2015. Today, I’m reporting on the progressive city’s recent installation of a renewable-energy light demonstration on Packard at the entrance of Buhr Park.

Bizarre looking? Yes, but, energy efficient? You betcha. A renewable-energy powered light that runs on wind and solar power, this special light pole has a small wind generator at the top and two solar electric panels on the sides that provide electricity to charge the batteries. These batteries, in turn, operate the streetlight on the pole, illuminating the entrance drive to Buhr Park and Cobblestone Farm.

Besides being powered by solar and wind energy, the light is unique in that it is an “induction” light — meaning it has no electrodes or electrical connections to the lamp. The power needed to generate light is transferred from the outside of the lamp envelope by means of electromagnetic fields, giving the light a lifespan of 22+ years of nighttime operation. The hybrid wind-solar light features a 400-watt wind generator and two 50-watt solar panels that are used to charge two 12-volt batteries with 100 amp-hours of storage.

This hybrid wind-solar light is a partnership between Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan’s Sustainable Design Research Laboratory (SDRL) within the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning (TCAUP). Everlast Induction Lighting, a Jackson company, donated the light to UM-SDLR for testing. SDLR then contacted A2 government leaders to give them the opportunity to provide a location to install this test light. The city selected the Buhr Park entrance because more light was needed at the spot, and also because the unique looking light is quite visible to the public.

The lighting pilot test represents a UM/Ann Arbor partnership to test technologies to help A2 reach its eco-friendly goals. I’d say the city is well on its way.

One of Detroit's biggest cheerleaders, Jaime Pfeffer moved to the Motor City from suburban Detroit five years ago. She started a blog, Girl in the D, in September 2004 to promote the positive aspects of Detroit and hasn't stopped touting Motown's good side since. Jaime left corporate America in 2007 to pursue her first love, writing.