CPB’s Australian-first turbine prototype

Earlier this year, CPB Contractors launched an Australian-first trial of a next-generation 6KW-rated prototype vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT).

The first-of-its-kind wind turbine was developed by Adelaide-based renewable energy technology start-up company, VAWT-X, in collaboration with Flinders University and Firestone Hybrid Generators with funding from private equity, state and federal governments.

The prototype was installed on the South Australian Government’s Fleurieu Connections Alliance (FCA) main south road duplication project’s Aldinga compound in February and has been undergoing extensive operational testing over the past few months.

CPB Contractors’ trial on the FCA is a critical step in validating the VAWT-X design for regulatory accreditation and provides an opportunity for Firestone Hybrid Generators to confirm the turbines’ integration with existing hybrid power system technologies.

The technology offers a more sustainable, versatile alternative for renewable energy production in Australia, requiring significantly less land space and suitable in areas where the wind direction is highly variable, making it a viable solution for urban areas.

CPB Contractors project director Andrew Coonan says Innovative thinking and the trial and adoption of new, sustainable technologies is core to the business.

“The sheer size and scale of our projects provides us with the optimum environment to test prototypes like VAWT-X Energy’s vertical axis wind turbine, particularly as we turn our focus to more regionally located developments in the renewable energy space,” he said.

Designed to be quieter and adaptable to conditions on a major infrastructure project, the clean energy technology has the potential to be a game-changer for the construction industry by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, supplementing solar power and creating overall efficiencies through a self-sustainable project site.

The prototype VAWT is currently operational and is being used to provide power to FCA site buildings and to recharge batteries with the overall objective of testing the feasibility of large-scale VAWT for scaled commercialisation.

“With a growing pipeline of renewables projects, we see enormous potential for this technology,” Mr Coonan said.

“Not only can we generate clean energy while ensuring low to no-impact on these regional communities, but these turbines and the energy they generate can remain beyond the project build, providing cost-efficient power for the people and businesses in these regions.”